Question: I live in Ewa Beach. Regarding the new utility poles that were put up after the old ones were knocked down by trees, causing the Ewa Beach power outage last month: A lot of the new poles are not vertical; they’re leaning at different angles. If we have another heavy wind, are those poles going to fall over and cause another power problem in Ewa Beach?

Answer: Based on your query, Hawaiian Electric Co. reinspected the replacement poles and deemed they are up to code.

The new poles meet the National Electrical Safety Code and Hawaiian Electric standards for loading, line clearances “and all particulars,” said HECO spokesman Peter Rosegg.

He also said most of the new poles are taller and wider than the ones they replaced, adding to their strength. Fifteen poles on Fort Weaver Road and six on Old Fort Weaver Road were knocked down during the March 4 storm.

“We always appreciate our customers reporting any concerns about our facilities,” Rosegg said. “If anyone sees something that may be unsafe, please do not touch it or try to fix it.”

Instead, as in reporting an outage, call 548-7961 “and we’ll check it out,” he said, adding that safety for customers and employees is “absolutely priority one for us.”

Question: I’ve tried looking this up in the city ordinances to no avail. What is the law about erecting a portable basketball court in a residential cul-de-sac/city street? We live on a narrow dead-end cul-de-sac. Our neighbor (who lives on the other end of the street) recently put up a portable basketball stand. There is concern over the legality and safety of having this in a “No Parking” turnaround area. Over the years, city trash collectors have called police when parked cars prevented them from turning around.

Answer: Whether on a public street or sidewalk, the city does not allow portable stands or any other kind of “encroachment.”

You are advised to call the city Department of Planning and Permitting’s Residential Code Enforcement Branch at 768-8159 to report the stand.

Most of the complaints about portable basketball stands received by the department involve those on sidewalks. At one point it was receiving about 10 to 15 such complaints a month.

In most cases they are taken down before citations are issued.

The restriction is covered under Section 14-18.8(b)(2) of the Revised Ordinances of Hono lulu, which says that while walls, fences, benches and other surface encroachments may be allowed in a sidewalk area if an application is made in writing and approved, such encroachments cannot “unduly interfere with the public use of such space for utilities and pedestrian traffic.”

MAHALO

To Honolulu Police Department Officer Eric Egami. I had a flat tire and pulled into a gas station. Officer Egami was just finishing filling up his car. I asked whether he was on duty, and fortunately he was. He not only put air in my tire, but I did not have any cash, so he had to spring 50 cents for the air! I felt so bad. We are blessed to have him on the force.
— Reiko