Question: On Friday, July 27, between 3 and 3:30 p.m. on the bridge at Woodlawn Drive in Manoa, a large tanker truck with a powerful siphon was seen taking water out of Manoa Stream. The truck had no markings, which is why it was noticed. It was a flatbed truck with a large heavy-duty plastic tub and a pump like those used to empty swimming pools. Who was doing this? Is it allowed or legal? If not, should it have been reported to authorities?
Answer: Neither state nor city officials we contacted knew who was taking the water or why.
Both Westley Chun, director of the city Department of Facility Maintenance, which maintains certain stream channels, and Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, said anyone seeing something like this should call police at 911.
DLNR’s Commission on Water Resource Management is responsible for setting overall policies for water conservation, quality and use and protecting ground and surface water resources, watersheds and natural stream environments, among other things.
The commission “did not approve or authorize anyone to remove water from Manoa Stream,” Ward said. “DLNR does not have a large tanker truck with a siphon. We’re not sure who might have done this, but are checking into other possibilities.”
One of those, the state Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch, said “nobody samples or tests water that way,” she said.
The Department of Facility Maintenance, meanwhile, is responsible for maintaining 15 feet upstream and downstream of city bridges, such as the Woodlawn Drive Bridge, Ward said.
“They do not need a permit for regular maintenance work such as removing rocks, debris, soil, vegetation, etc., to keep the stream channel clear of obstructions,” she explained.
Question: The state has allowed one of its major arterial roads to deteriorate into a Third World nightmare. In both directions Pali Highway from the tunnels to lower Nuuanu has become a dangerous obstacle course of rutted pavement, patches and potholes. How much longer do Windward drivers have to endure this assault on our tires and suspensions?
Answer: Resurfacing of the Pali is being planned — but when it actually happens depends on funding.
The Department of Transportation is in the design phase for two major resurfacing projects for the Pali: a $15 million project from Kamehameha Highway to Waokanaka Street scheduled for 2015 and an $18 million project from Vineyard Boulevard to Waokanaka Street scheduled for 2014.
“Although they are scheduled, the projects could be delayed due to lack of funding,” said DOT spokeswoman Caroline Sluyter. She said the department is trying to secure federal funds to help offset the costs.
In the meantime, drivers “are encouraged” to call the DOT’s pothole hotline at 831-6714 to report problem areas. The DOT has pothole patching crews working on five-week schedules that rotate through different areas on Oahu.
Question: Can you print information on how I would get a state ID card and how much it costs?
Answer: To obtain or renew an ID card, you must go in person to the state ID office at 465 S. King St., Room 102, with the proper documents and payment for the fee: $15 cash ($10 cash for those ages 65 and older).
Office hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, except state holidays.
All the information on what you need and what you should do is posted online: hawaii.gov/ag/hcjdc/main/hawaii_id_cards.
If you don’t have access to a computer, call 587-3111.
MAHALO
To two guys who helped me a lot when my medications wore out and I needed help on Sunday, July 22, in the restroom at Costco Iwilei. I appreciated their help. — No Name
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