Question: Regarding homeless campers coming back to live in the parks, how long will it take the city to respond if I call it in?
Answer: “The response time to a specific location varies as there are enforcement actions scheduled each work day and many complaints involve the same locations. In remote areas or areas not frequently populated with encampments, enforcement action may take up to 30 days before being addressed,” said Ross Sasamura, director and chief engineer of the city’s Department of Facility Maintenance, which enforces the city’s stored property and sidewalk nuisance laws.
As Sasamura indicated, some urban areas see regular enforcement, based on people reporting violations by calling 768-4381. For example, Thomas Square, a recent source of complaints, was scheduled for enforcement by Friday afternoon; signs in the park prohibit the storage of personal property there.
To answer another reader’s question, 768-4381 is the number to call to report personal property illegally stored at city parks, streets, sidewalks or other city facilities; there aren’t separate reporting lines for sidewalks versus parks, Sasamura said.
Under a legal settlement, the city must post its enforcement schedule at least 24 hours in advance, listing where authorities will be removing private property from public areas. You can check the schedule at 808ne.ws/snospo.
Q: Is there an organization that collects tools and equipment and then lends them out for community use? Several years ago there was an article in the newspaper about a group from UH doing this, but I don’t recall the details. I have some yard equipment I would like to put to use.
A: Yes. You are thinking of the HNL Tool Library, which was founded in 2016 by Elia Bruno, then a University of Hawaii-Manoa student, and remains in operation in Kakaako, sharing space with Re-use Hawaii at 200 Keawe St.
“Yes, we still accept tools as tax-deductible donations. If a tool is in good condition and could add value to our inventory, then it is cataloged (after being inspected and given some TLC by our tool doctors) and it becomes part of our tools sharing program,” said Bruno, the nonprofit’s executive director. “Tools that would not add value to our inventory are sold at our annual tool sale. Proceeds from this event are utilized to purchase tools that our community members need and we don’t yet have.”
Drop off tools for donation Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fridays from 1 to 5 p.m. or Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m., according to the website hnltoollibrary.org.
The nonprofit accepts yard and garden equipment and tools, as long as they are not gas-powered, according to the website.
Email info@hnltoollibrary.org for more information or to confirm that your tools are needed.
Mahalo
On Jan. 7 my car suddenly stalled in the middle lane of the intersection, and I tried to restart it but it locked in park and I couldn’t restart it. The driver behind me jumped out of her car to see if she could help push my car over to the side with the help of her niece, who was following in another car farther behind. Shortly, a police officer came and saw what was happening because of the huge backup situation on Kinau and Piikoi streets. I felt more relief with her backup of two more officers who managed to start my car and push it around the corner and over to the curb. It was the first time this ever happened, and I felt so grateful for the two women who offered help and called a tow truck, and the three officers who stayed until my car was ready to leave the scene. Mahalo to everyone! — Jackie S.
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.
