Question: I’ve noticed shirtless city and county refuse worker(s). These are the guys who hang on the back of the trucks, jump off and dispose the trash. I know they work hard and it’s hot, but really? I find it inapropriate and, honestly, kind of gross. Is there a dress code for them, or is going shirtless acceptable to their supervisors?
Answer: We checked with the city’s Department of Environmental Services, and spokesman Markus Owens said, “Supervisors communicate to refuse workers often about safety-related issues, including wearing shirts, long pants and steel-toed shoes. If the public witnesses ENV refuse workers not adhering to these guidelines, please contact our information phone line at 768-3200.”
(Once the recorded greeting begins playing, press * to speak to a representative.)
While Owens described the instruction to wear shirts as a guideline, not a rule, administrative rules regarding workplace safety could apply if attire doesn’t meet the demands of the job.
We also called the United Public Workers, the union that represents blue-collar government workers, but received no response to a voicemail we left at its Oahu headquarters.
Besides calling the city, you may also email your concern to opala@honolulu.gov, or mail a letter to:
Department of Environmental Services-Refuse Division
1000 Uluohia St., Suite 201
Kapolei, HI 96707
Be specific. Note the routes, dates and times you saw this occur.
Q: Seeing the video of that elderly woman attacked in her Kalihi store was chilling. Will these juveniles be tried as adults?
A: As of Thursday, no; the cases of the two arrested are in Family Court, which has jurisdiction over cases where the defendants are minors.
Prosecutors could petition the Family Court to waive jurisdiction and allow the defendants to be tried as adults in Circuit Court, but they haven’t yet decided whether to do so, according to a spokesman for the city prosecutor. Family Court, not the prosecutors, would decide whether to grant the petition, if one was made.
If convicted as adults in Circuit Court, the defendants also could face harsher penalties because of the victims’ ages (74 and 76); Hawaii law imposes stiffer penalties for crimes against society’s most vulnerable, including children and seniors.
A 15-year-old boy is accused of choking a 76-year-old woman to unconsciousness Monday while accomplices cleaned out the store’s cash register. It was captured by the store’s security system and has become a viral video online. A 17-year-old is accused of brandishing a knife against the woman’s 74-year-old husband during a robbery Friday. Both face robbery charges. Police are seeking additional suspects.
The couple co-own the store, Y-7 Liquor & Grocery at 1323 Gulick Ave., and were back at work this week.
Kokua Line received numerous expressions of support for them. This reader’s is representative:
“I am sure that there are many of us who were appalled at what happened at that ‘mom and pop’ store on Monday. How could anyone do something like that to our kupuna? You may think that there is nothing that you can do to help but there is. I will go there and say how sorry I am that something like that has happened and purchase something, anything, big or small, pay for it with a $5, $10, or $20 bill and say ‘Keep the change.’ They have not been able to sell the store and retire for their golden years. We, together, can help in our small way to reach their dreams and to thank them for all their hard work and helping so many people. Believe me, you will feel like you’ve made a difference!”
Mahalo
During my daily morning walk around Keolu Drive in Kailua, I unknowingly dropped my wallet. Fortunately, Josh Levinson found it, called my home and returned it intact. When there is so much bad news reported nowadays, it’s wonderfully refreshing to know that such good people are among us. — Mahalo from Steve, a very grateful senior citizen
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.
