Question: Is there a shredding event coming up soon? My small shredder at home burned out. I know I can put paper in the bin, but I don’t want to do that with old bills because it’s sensitive, containing credit-card numbers, bank accounts, etc.
Answer: Yes, the Going Green community recycling event at Leilehua High School on July 27 is scheduled to offer free shredding from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., or until the shredder is full. Participants will be limited to two file-size boxes or bags each. The school is at 1515 California Ave. in Wahiawa. Volunteers will be waiting in the parking lot to unload cars, according to a news release.
This event also will provide free recycling of e-waste such as computers, monitors, printers, scanners; one TV per car; lead-acid (car) batteries; HI-5 plastic and aluminum beverage containers; eye glasses and hearing aids; prom dresses; women’s business apparel and accessories; usable clothing and household items; and used towels and blankets. Canned goods and pet food also will be collected.
Q: I’ve made two appointments for bulky pickup (one for June and one for July) and they worked out fine. Change is hard for some people. Isn’t this how it used to be?
A: Yes. Oahu’s switch about 15 years ago from an appointment-based bulky pickup system to regularly scheduled monthly service was supposed to reduce illegal dumping, provide timely pickup and make service equitable throughout Honolulu County. That generally did not happen, according to a city audit in 2017 that described a program plagued by excessive sick leave, overtime and leave without pay in the Department of Environmental Services’ Refuse Collection Branch. The audit also faulted Oahu residents for ignoring the bulky-pickup rules, with little fear of enforcement by short-staffed inspectors. You can read the audit at 808ne.ws/bulkyaudit.
Crosswalk countdown
The amendment of Hawaii Revised Statutes 291C-33 to clarify that pedestrians must not enter a crosswalk during the signal countdown inspired a spirited response. Here are a few reader comments:
“I AM sure you will be inundated with people saying how unfair the crosswalk law is. It is not unfair. There are so many tourists walking around and riding Biki bikes and boy are they slow and man do they ignore the ‘don’t walk’ signs. Something has got to get these folks moving.” — Driver
“AUWE! THOSE crosswalk timers are too short! If Honolulu is to be a “walking city” they’ve got to give us time to get across the street. I try to obey the law but they are making it impossible.” — Pedestrian
“ONCE AGAIN, it all comes down to enforcement. If they are going after the pedestrians, they better go after the red-light runners too. That’s more dangerous.” — Pedestrian
“I HOPE more attention will be paid to the reason for the time limits and rules for crossing on a traffic signal. Too many people, even in letters to the editor, assume that this is just harassment of pedestrians. … If people could enter the crosswalk at any time in the cycle, vehicle traffic would never have the opportunity to turn left or right on the green light because the light changes to yellow and red when the walk cycle ends. Traffic could be backed up endlessly. Everyone, people and cars, should have the chance to proceed on a walk and green signal if everyone follows the rules.” — Sharon W.
Mahalo
Shopping at Airport Market for something to drink with friends while we ate pizza, I was a couple dollars short and the cashier told me “cash only.” Thank you to the benevolent man who paid for my purchase of four cans of flavored sparking-water drinks. — G.K.
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.
