Question: Crane Park in Kaimuki is a popular neighborhood park. Many clubs use it, especially at night. My kids play ball there, but the lights recently were not working and we heard through the grapevine that the electrical system was vandalized. When can we expect the lights back on? So many people use the park, and its loss at night is huge.
Answer. The lights are targeted to be up and running by Friday, said Jesse Broder Van Dyke, spokesman for the city administration.
The electrical system was more than vandalized.
In what’s become a common refrain around the island, especially when the freeway lights go dark, officials with the Department of Parks and Recreation said thieves stole copper wiring in the light poles at Crane Community Park.
Just before the theft, components in the overall lighting system already were malfunctioning, said Todd Hiranaga, the department’s East Honolulu District manager.
The city Department of Facility Management completed those repairs but then had to deal with the stolen wiring.
The material cost to replace the stolen wires is estimated to be $1,100.
Work to replace the wiring will be done by Facility Management staff, “so there is no additional costs for manpower, but this takes them away from other maintenance,” Broder Van Dyke said.
Question: I had a safety check done on my car in November, but someone took the yellow sticker off my bumper. Am I responsible for getting a current safety check again, or is just having my paperwork from the November safety check OK should I get stopped by the Honolulu Police Department?
Answer: You need to get a replacement sticker.
As long as the current inspection has not expired, you can go back to the inspection station that did the initial inspection and get a replacement sticker and amended certificate, said Dennis Kamimura, administrator of the city Motor Vehicle and Licensing Division.
The station is allowed to charge you a maximum $5 fee.
However, if your vehicle now shows “obvious defects” or you go to another safety inspection station, either station may require a complete re-inspection, then charge you the applicable fees for the new inspection, Kamimura said.
Mahalo
Belatedly, to Sean, Stacy and Regan Balmoja. This wonderful family found my cellphone on a bench at Kahala Mall last June. They went above and beyond trying to reach us, leaving messages on my husband’s cell and work phones and our children’s phones on the mainland. When they got no response, they turned in the phone to security. I never got my phone back. But Sean continued to have conversations with my husband seeking updates and even stopped at the security office to ask what happened to the phone. Regan was gracious enough to compose a statement for me to take to small claims court. We are extremely grateful to this wonderful family. — Jane Van Epps
Auwe
To the man who parked his sister’s car in a handicap parking stall in Kailua. His sister is handicapped, owns the car and has a handicap placard. Her brother drives the vehicle and uses the placard for parking even when his sister is not in the vehicle. After being reported, he left the scene before the police could meet with him. His selfish actions could cause his sister to lose her placard and other privileges she needs. However, he considers himself above the law and shows total disrespect for his sister and other people who are handicapped and need to legally park in those stalls. Karma will get you, if the police don’t catch you first. — Frustrated and Handicapped
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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.
