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Question: Will they be putting in more of those “speed bump” crosswalks? I think they should and hope they do.
Answer: Yes, the state Department of Transportation intends to install more raised pedestrian crossings. Highways Division Deputy Director Ed Sniffen expects to have an updated list of potential locations at the end of August, said Shelly Kunishige, a DOT spokeswoman.
Locations under DOT jurisdiction will be selected based on pedestrian and vehicle volume, proximity to places that attract pedestrians such as schools, and community concerns, she said.
These crosswalks, which mound slightly higher than the surrounding pavement, “are designed to increase safety by changing the driving culture, especially in high pedestrian traffic areas. The features increase the visibility of pedestrians and slow drivers down to the speed limit when going through the area,” she said.
Most recently the DOT installed four raised crosswalks on Farrington Highway, at the intersections of Ala Walua Street, the Waianae High School exit, Alawa Place and Maiuu Road. Before that, DOT installed them on Kalihi Street near Kalakaua Intermediate School and on Fort Weaver Road near Ilima Intermediate, Pohakea Elementary and Campbell High Schools, Kunishige said.
Several readers have praised this solution, which preserves heavily used marked crosswalks at intersections that lack traffic signals. By contrast, others have complained about the city removing painted crosswalks at intersections without traffic signals on South King Street and Kapiolani Boulevard. To be clear, those areas aren’t under DOT oversight; the department won’t be installing raised crosswalks there.
Q: How many of the charter schools focus on Hawaiian?
A: Seventeen of the state’s 37 public charter schools are Hawaiian language immersion schools or are based on Hawaiian culture, according to the state Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
Auwe
I decided to drop off my bulky items at the Waimanalo Convenience Center instead of making an appointment for curbside pickup. After loading my items and driving to Waimanalo on Wednesday, I found the gate closed with a sign that the bins were full. Auwe! — J.F.
Mahalo
I need to say “thank you” to a very good Samaritan who helped me out Saturday night. I am 87 years old and was driving an electric car when I ran out of power at the bottom of my hill. I was able to hook it up to a recharging station at Kahala Mall, which would completely recharge the car overnight. But I could not leave the car, and I needed to get home. A very nice lady at the mall saw my dilemma. She waited while my car partially recharged and then followed me up my hill to make sure I got all the way home. I can’t thank her enough. — J.D.
Mahalo
On Aug. 10 at about 9 p.m., my white Chevy Astro stalled with smoke billowing from under the hood. I was in the worst place I can imagine to break down, at the foot of a hill where Puuloa Road meets Salt Lake Boulevard. Traffic quickly piled up behind me. I had a full load in the van, and pushing it out of the way was impossible on my own. A white SUV maneuvered over the curb to park in front of me. Six adults piled out and without fanfare pushed my van out of traffic so the flow could continue. Then they gathered all the water bottles in their possession and emptied them into my overflow bottle under the hood. I was then able to make the hill and get the van home. I didn’t have the presence of mind to ask names at the time or to convey my deepest appreciation for what they had done for me in my moment of need. If one of the six reads this, I trust they will convey my message of sincere gratitude for the rescue to the entire group. — Mahalo, Elizabeth L.
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.
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