QUESTION: Is hunting allowed at the Keaiwa Heiau State Recreation Area? We were hiking the loop trail on Saturday, Dec. 29, and came across four hunters. They were dressed in fatigues, and one of them was carrying a hunting gun.
ANSWER: “There is no public hunting area near Keaiwa Heiau State Park (also known as Aiea Loop Trail),” said Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The closest authorized public hunting area is at the Waimano Public Hunting Area.
Because of your query, DLNR will post “no hunting” signs and make enforcement checks, Ward told us Friday.
Since your complaint was received, “Our Oahu state parks managers have determined there are hunters with bows and others with rifles coming in due to the number of pigs roaming in the park and trail areas,” Ward said.
Anyone who sees people with hunting gear on the Aiea Loop Trail is advised to call DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement at its hotline, 643-3567, or its Oahu Branch, 587-0077.
QUESTION: A few months ago I read about a clinic that offers free dental work. Do you have a number that I can call?
ANSWER: Aloha Medical Mission offers free dental services to people with low income and no dental insurance at its clinic at Palama Settlement, 810 N. Vineyard Blvd.
“We do the basic dental procedures such as exams, cleanings, fillings and extractions only,” said Crystal Acosta, the clinic coordinator.
She said she isn’t able to discuss the criteria or income qualifications when asked about who would qualify for such services, but added that the check-in process consists of filling out an eligibility form.
“Once the patient has filled out the eligibility form, we will be able to determine if they are qualified or not,” Acosta said.
If applicants do not qualify because they have insurance or income that exceeds the eligibility level, she said they will be referred to a low-cost clinic.
Those who do qualify can be seen the day they apply.
“Walk-ins are welcome, but there may be a waiting period of up to a couple of hours depending when the scheduled patients have been treated,” Acosta said.
To make an appointment, call 841-4489. The clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, with some evening hours.
For more information, see www.alohamedicalmission.org/dental-clinic.
According to its website, the Aloha Medical Mission opened the only free dental clinic in Hawaii at Palama Settlement in 2002. Since then, utilizing the services of 15 volunteer dentists, it has treated more than 22,000 patients — an estimated 170 a month.
AUWE
To the thief who stole a 3-foot-high Virgin Mary statue from my parents’ yard on Kipuka Place in Kailua on Thursday evening. How low can someone go? That statue was over 40 years old and meant a great deal to my Catholic parents. If someone finds such a statue or is offered such a statue, please contact the Kailua police department. Or, if the thief has a conscience, as karma does go around, please return it, no questions asked. — Deeply Saddened
MAHALO
To the Honolulu Fire Department and Honolulu Police Department. According to the Star-Advertiser, on Jan. 15, HFD dealt with a homeless encampment fire that knocked out cable service to lots of customers, then dealt with a significant fire at the Marco Polo condominiums, and at 4 a.m. the police dealt with a difficult and dangerous situation in Waikiki, while most of us slept soundly. Thank you, HFD and HPD, for your service during that and many other very busy nights.
— Bruse Eckman
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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.
