Question: I normally sit under some trees in Section 14-D of the Aloha Stadium parking lot on weekends (I’m a vendor) and noticed that several trees had concrete around the bottom of the trunks.
I normally throw the rest of my drinks around those trees, where there used to be dirt to allow any liquid to get to the roots. Now there’s no dirt because the trunk is encased in concrete. Won’t the trees die? How are they supposed to suck up rainwater to live? I’d hate for the trees to die and fall on the vendors or whoever is sitting under them.
Answer: It turns out that workers dumped excess concrete around the trees, without getting approval from the administration, said Aloha Stadium Manager Scott Chan.
“We’re trying to rectify the situation,” he said, already making sure that water is able to get to the trees.
“None of our trees” has died so far, he said.
Question: I called the Board of Water Supply twice in two weeks to report a sprinkler head leaking at their water tank on Prospect Street, by Huali Street. It is easily visible from the street. It is still leaking. I was shocked the first time I called as it was Memorial Day weekend and they said they were closed. So you report a leak and the BWS is not manned 24/7 so they can shut it off? Especially if it is on their property? There were trucks parked there one day, so I thought they were fixing it. Apparently not.
Answer: After we passed on your concern, a BWS crew immediately was dispatched to shut off the sprinkler line valve at the Bella Vista reservoir.
“Apparently the sprinkler shutoff valve was unable to close completely, so the main feeder line for the irrigation system has been turned off until the valve can be replaced,” said spokeswoman Tracy Burgo.
Asked whether there was any record of your calls, she said the BWS found two voicemails about the leak. “We regret that we did not follow up on the initial report in a timely manner,” Burgo said, adding that the BWS “normally” follows up immediately on any report of wasted water involving a BWS facility.
“As the agency that oversees Oahu’s precious water supply, we should have fixed the leak as soon as possible,” she acknowledged. “We apologize that it was not done in this instance. We have since adjusted BWS procedures to ensure more timely follow-up in the future.”
In this case, beyond preventing further loss of water, the agency also was concerned about your complaint that when you called on a weekend, you received a message saying it was closed. Burgo explained how the BWS’ phone system is set up during nonbusiness hours.
There is a message on the 748-5041 Water Waste Hotline saying the office is closed and asking the caller to leave a message. The BWS follows up on any messages the next business day. The recording also advises calling the 24/7 Water Trouble Line at 748-5000, if there is a water emergency.
There is a message on the 748-5000 line that says the BWS’ business offices are closed and asks the caller to please call during regular business hours of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. If the caller stays on the line, a menu then says to press “1” to reach the 24/7 Water Trouble Line, “which is always staffed.”
MAHALO
To all the good Samaritans who came to our aid at about 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, when our Lexus SUV stalled at the top merge of the Pearl City/Waimalu onramp near Sears Distribution. It was our worst nightmare, but to our surprise a lady came running down the freeway, a young guy pops out from behind our vehicle and another pulls up in his vehicle, talking us through what to do. They prevented a major traffic jam with their quick actions and unselfish kindness. The Freeway Service Patrol also stopped, and a nice gentleman in a white SUV pulled over to make sure we were safe. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!
— Cindy & Cathy
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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.
