Question: What is the law regarding the caging and keeping of roosters in a residential neighborhood? Our neighbors in Sunset Beach have up to 30 roosters for their boys to "play" with. They are incredibly noisy, sometimes screaming for several hours. They told us that because they live on agriculture land, they are allowed to have as many roosters as they please. This doesn’t seem reasonable, especially since the noise is extremely disturbing to the neighborhood. They have told us to move if we don’t like it. We are very quiet people, and if we cannot resolve this situation, sadly, we may have to do just that.

Answer: You shouldn’t have to move, although city zoning inspectors haven’t been successful in accessing the property.

It’s illegal to keep more than two "pet" roosters in neighborhoods zoned "country," according to the city Department of Planning and Permitting, which enforces the city’s zoning and land use regulations.

Under the Land Use Ordinance, "country" zoning allows minor crop and livestock production, explained Art Challacombe, deputy director of Planning and Permitting.

"The purpose of a ‘country district’ is to recognize and provide for areas with limited potential for agricultural activities for which the open space, or rural quality of agricultural lands, is desired," he said.

In that district, the Land Use Ordinance allows minor crop production and animal livestock, or "passive agriculture."

It does not allow for major crop production or livestock that creates a substantial nuisance to the neighbors, Challacombe said.

"If there are 30 chickens on the lot, we would consider that major livestock production and a violation" of the Land Use Ordinance, he said. "Two chickens in residentially and country zoned properties would be permitted if the chickens are considered ‘pets.’"

An inspector visited the property at least twice in response to your complaint.

However, the property was gated and the inspector was not able to enter to investigate, Challacombe said.

He said the department will continue to look into the matter.

Question: In the Sunday, March 23, Star-Advertiser, there was an ad for the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation, using the phrase, "Strive for the Highest, Kulia i ka Nu’u Awards Banquet." If you go to Kapiolani Community College, on their buildings is the phrase, "Kulia i ka Nu’u." It’s been there at least three or four years. Who gave the foundation the right to use the same phrase, which was coined by a student attending KCC? It was not the purpose to give it out to other organizations. How did they get it and why are they using it? They should contact KCC.

Answer: The phrase "Kulia i ka Nu’u" is associated with Queen Kapiolani, serving as her personal motto.

Not only is no KCC student involved in its origins, but also, "the motto is not proprietary to Kapiolani Community College," a school spokesman said.

We did an Internet search and saw the phrase being used by various groups, including the University of Hawaii Manoa Curriculum Studies Department for a project funded by the Native Hawaiian Education Act; by Kamehameha Schools as a program to assess the "essential language and cultural knowledge" of all its students; and by the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for a program to support its homestead associations.

Mahalo

To whoever rescued our chocolate Labrador, who escaped from a gate that inadvertently was left unsecured by the yard maintenance people. A compassionate individual(s) took the time and effort to rescue her in Pearl City then drive her to the Hawaiian Humane Society so that her microchip could be scanned and she could be reunited with her relieved and happy family. We wished to personally thank you but found out that the humane society does not release that information due to privacy constraints. Please know that we are most appreciative and will forever be grateful for your generous act of kindness. Mahalo nui loa. — Grateful Dog Owners

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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.