Question: Who do I contact in the city for tire damage due to a pothole?
Answer: You’ll need to file a claim with the Department of the Corporation Counsel. You can download and print the form at 808ne.ws/claimform; or call 768-5193 or email corclaims@honolulu.gov and ask that the form be sent to you.
Claims take about six months to process, and won’t be unless the one-page form is filled out completely, according to the form.
Along with the form describing yourself, the incident and whether there were witnesses, you’ll be asked to submit other documentation, such as:
>> Photos showing where the incident occurred, damage to your vehicle or other property or injuries to yourself or others. In your case, photos of the pothole and your damaged tire could help support your claim.
>> Invoices related to damage or injuries, such as receipts or at least two estimates for repairs (for property damage) or medical reports and/or bills (for injuries).
>> A copy of your vehicle registration and insurance card, because you are claiming vehicle damage.
>> The number of the police report, if one was filed.
Mail the completed form and supporting documents to Department of the Corporation Counsel, 530 S. King St., Room 110, Honolulu, HI 96813.
You were certain that the damage occurred on a city street, so you would file your claim with the city. If the incident had occurred on a state roadway, you would file a claim with the state. Learn more about that process at 808ne.ws/stateclaim. On a related note …
Q: Some time ago you printed the city number to call to report a pothole that needs filling. Please repeat.
A: The city’s pothole hotline is 768-7777. The city is not responsible for all Oahu streets. Some are maintained by the state or the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. You can check 808ne.ws/streets for oversight before calling.
Q: When is the Christmas parade?
A: The Honolulu City Lights Public Worker’s Electric Light Parade will be Dec. 1, a Saturday. The parade begins at about 6 p.m. near Aala Park and proceeds down King Street to Honolulu Hale. This year’s festivities are to include food trucks on Punchbowl Street starting at 4 p.m. See details at honolulucitylights.org.
Q: Did any of the Hawaii teachers win that online contest? I voted as often as allowed.
A: Winners haven’t been announced for Farmers Insurance Thank America’s Teachers program. Five $100,000 grantees will be announced in mid-December, according to the website. Three Hawaii public school teachers were among 15 finalists nationwide for the awards, known as the Dream Big Teacher Challenge. Voting concluded Nov. 3.
Q: I missed that drug take-back they have sometimes. Is there someplace else on Oahu I can drop this stuff?
A: Yes. You can dispose of expired or unneeded prescription medication in the bright green medication drop box at the state Department of Public Safety’s Narcotics Enforcement Division, 3375 Koapaka St. No. D-100. If you are a veteran, you also could take it to the main pharmacy at the VA Medical Center for disposal.
For medication drop boxes on other islands, see 808ne.ws/takeback.
You may drop off pills, capsules and other forms of medication. However, some items are prohibited. Do not drop off syringes, needles, inhalers, thermometers, aerosol cans or infectious waste.
Mahalo
I would like to express my biggest mahalo to Kim Chee Restaurant in Enchanted Lake. When I realized I lost my wallet the day after having dinner there and traced it back to them, the waitress who found it was so excited that I called. Mahalo nui loa. — Thankful
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.
