Question: If the Board of Water Supply is reading my meter, how can my bill be the same month after month?
Answer: We can’t say for sure without seeing your bill, but it could be that the Board of Water Supply did not actually read your meter for those months and therefore estimated your bill.
The agency states on its website that it strives to read customers’ meters each billing period, but that “if for some reason” it is unable to do so, it will estimate your consumption — and thus the amount you pay — based on your recent average water use.
You should contact the BWS directly to confirm. Call the billing department at 748-5020 or customer service at 748-5030.
Kalakaua repaving
The city provided updated information about the future repaving of Kalakaua Avenue, which was the subject of a recent Kokua Line column (808ne.ws/ kalakaua Opens in a new tab).
The Department of Facility Maintenance will undertake “first aid” resurfacing of Kalakaua Avenue from Beretania Street to Ala Wai Boulevard in April 2017, barring unforeseen circumstances, said Andrew Pereira, a spokesman for Mayor Kirk Caldwell. However, more comprehensive repaving work has been delayed until 2020, he said.
The municipal government’s list of road repaving work from 2013-17 lists that stretch as being in the “planning/design” phase.
The repaving project, as opposed to the more shallow resurfacing, was delayed by the city Department of Design and Construction so that it would not conflict with Board of Water Supply construction work in the area, Pereira said. “The administration has been engaged in a collaborative effort with BWS and other utilities to ensure freshly repaved roads don’t get dug up soon after being repaved,” he said.
Meanwhile, as the city gears up for the more extensive project, Kalakaua Avenue is getting a thorough Complete Streets analysis, he said. The city expects to gather community input by early 2017.
Complete Streets is the transportation and design philosophy that considers the needs of all users in roadway improvements, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and mass-transit passengers. The state of Hawaii adopted the policy in 2009 and the Honolulu City Council followed suit in 2012; see the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, Chapter 14, Article 33.
You can read more about how the approach is envisioned on Oahu at 808ne.ws/ comstreets Opens in a new tab.
The site includes links to reports about how Complete Streets could be implemented at specific locations on Oahu. A study released in May makes recommendations for Kalakaua Avenue from Kapiolani to Ala Wai boulevards; read it at 808ne.ws/kalakauastudy Opens in a new tab.
Auwe
A big auwe to thieves who are stealing backpacks and other belongings from cars parked at schools (808ne.ws/schoolthefts Opens in a new tab). Students’ homework and school supplies and assignments are in those backpacks! Shame on these thieves for taking from children who are participating in after-school activities and trying to succeed in life. — Disgusted
E Kala Mai
I apologize for blocking traffic on Tuesday morning because I was impatient and tried to squeeze through the green light. Traffic was heavy and the car in front of me did not have any room to move ahead. So when the light changed I was stuck in the intersection, gridlocked. Oh! The stink eye! I learned my lesson. — A driver
Mahalo
Mahalo to the cheerful women (sisters, I believe) who helped me gather up the produce and other items that I had been carrying in my arms at the farmers market. Next time I will bring a bigger bag! Anyway, I was embarrassed when I dropped some of my purchases on the ground but these kind ladies helped me quickly collect everything. … They had me laughing about this minor mishap in no time. A little sense of humor goes a long way in difficult situations and they reminded me of that. — Grateful senior
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