Question: Did the city pay to get that sailboat off the rocks at Magic Island?

Answer: No. The city did not pay for the salvage operation, which was the boat owner’s responsibility, said Nate Serota, a spokesman for the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation.

You assumed otherwise because you saw updates on the city’s social media. But those posts were to let the public know what was happening — the makai-end lagoon at Magic Island was closed after the Summer Salt hit the rocks — and did not signify that taxpayers were footing the bill.

The 32-foot sailing vessel ran aground on the revetment dividing the lagoon from the open ocean on the evening of June 12, as the owner was trying to sail to the Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor. He was the only person aboard, and swam safely to shore.

Authorities initially warned the public to avoid the area, and then closed the makai-end lagoon on June 14, as private salvage operations were organized amid a rising southwest swell. The lagoon reopened to the public the morning of June 18, after the boat and related debris were removed.

Q: Can the mayor of Honolulu be impeached?

A: Yes, “the mayor may be removed by recall or impeachment as provided in Article XII” of the City Charter, which you can read at 808ne.ws/citycharter. Similar provisions apply to the Honolulu City Council and the prosecuting attorney.

Chapter 1 of Article XII covers recall of elected officials; Chapter 2 covers impeachment. Here are some highlights, regarding the office of mayor:

>> Recall: No cause is required to initiate a recall petition, which to be successful must be signed by Oahu registered voters totaling at least 10% of the total registered to vote in the last regular mayoral election. A recall petition cannot be filed within the first or last year of the mayor’s term or within six months of an unsuccessful recall election. A recall petition cannot emanate from a single Council district; signatures from any one district in excess of 40% of the total required won’t be counted. Each registered voter who signs must supply their name, address, Council district and date of signing. Signatures must be gathered and submitted to the city clerk within 60 days; signatures older than that will be thrown out. The city clerk has 20 working days to examine the petition. If enough signatures hold up and the recall petition is certified, the mayor may resign or face a recall election. If a recall election is held, voters are asked whether the person should be removed from office. If a majority who vote in the recall election say “yes,” the person is “deemed recalled and removed from office. Otherwise, the said officer shall remain in office.” Anyone who resigns or is removed in a recall process is prevented from running for or being appointed to a city office for two years.

>> Impeachment: Cause is required. At least 5,000 registered Oahu voters must sign a petition to get the court process started. According to Article XII, Chapter 2, Section 12-201, “The mayor may be impeached for malfeasance, misfeasance or non-feasance in office. The courts of the state of Hawaii shall have jurisdiction as provided by applicable law over any proceeding for the removal of the mayor, who may be charged on any of the foregoing grounds. The charges shall be set forth in writing in a petition for impeachment signed by not less than 5,000 duly registered voters of the city, and said signature shall be necessary only for the purpose of filing the petition. The petition having once been filed, hearings shall be held on all such charges.”

Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.