Question: I have an aging dog and cat. What does one do when pets die? What are some options? I certainly cannot afford a pet cemetery.

Answer: If you have a home, one option is bury your pet’s body or cremated remains on your property.

You might need to get permission if you belong to a homeowners association. Otherwise, neither the city Department of Planning and Permitting nor the state Department of Health has any rules or regulations regarding burying pets on residential property.

“If people inquire, we just make sure to tell them to bury it deep enough so that other animals won’t dig it up and cause a fly/odor nuisance,” said Peter Oshiro, Environmental Health Program manager with the Health Department’s Sanitation Branch.

Another option, which might require some emotional detachment, is to call the city Department of Facility Maintenance’s Road Maintenance Division. It will pick up the body of your pet as part of its “dead animal pickup” serv­ice.

Depending on the area you live, you can call between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays: Aiea-Ewa, 455-1725; Hono­lulu (7 a.m.-2:30 p.m.), 832-7840; Kai­lua/Wai­ma­nalo, 262-4346; Kane­ohe, 247-3553; Koo­lau­loa, 293-5657; Wahiawa, 621-5241; Wai­alua/Hale­iwa, 637-4795; and Wai­anae, 682-5230.

Question: What ever happened to the sentencing of Rod Tam? Wasn’t it scheduled for Jan. 27?

Answer: The former state legislator and city councilman was scheduled to be sentenced Jan. 27, then March 28, after pleading guilty in November to 26 misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor counts related to overcharging the city for meals.

The sentencing has been reset for June 7, said Christopher Young, state supervising deputy attorney general.

“We’re trying to work out other matters related to Mr. Tam,” Young said, declining to elaborate.

In addition to the charges brought by the Attorney General’s office, the city Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing a complaint submitted by the state Campaign Spending Commission in December, alleging Tam violated campaign spending laws.

Mahalo

To all those who helped when my husband blacked out and fell unconscious in the elevator of the Pearl City Zippy’s restaurant on March 8. I felt fear and worry and wondered what to do. Out of nowhere, two angels named Chris and Tony came to check on my husband and called 911 for an ambulance. They stayed with him until the firemen and ambulance crew came. Tony and Chris explained my husband’s status, and before I knew it they were gone. My heartfelt “thank you” goes out to both of them. Also, mahalo to the Zippy’s manager, who kindly offered his help, and to two ladies who were in the elevator when this happened. I’m sorry I didn’t get your names, but thank you both for standing by and helping out. My husband is now at home and recovering slowly. May all of you be blessed with good, happy lives. — Yuki Mina­gawa, Aiea

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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

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