Question: There seems to be some confusion on the usage of Aikahi Playground, which is adjacent to Aikahi Elementary School. Is this playground for the exclusive use of Aikahi Elementary School, or is it a community playground during nonschool hours?If it is open to the community, which I believe was the original intent, can you clarify the hours it is open to the general public?

Answer: Apparently, there is a misconception that the playground was meant to be open to the public — a misconception Kokua Line held.

In 2009 the Friends of Aikahi Playground group was raising money to make the playground usable, and it wasn’t known when it would reopen.

Based on what we were told back then, we said, "When it does, it will be available for the community to use, except when school is in session."

However, "The playground was never intended or officially open for general public use," Alex Da Silva, spokesman for the state Department of Education told us this week. "This is true for any public school playground or facility."

He said the school "will continue to clarify any misunderstanding regarding the availability of the playground through information on parent newsletters and its website."

Use of public school facilities is governed by Chapter 39 of the Hawaii Administrative Rules, which can be found on the DOE’s website: is.gd/04RMCa.

In general, the public may request use of school playgrounds during nonschool hours by submitting a "Use of Facilities" form.

"Aikahi Elementary is sincerely grateful for community support it has received to improve its playground," Da Silva said.

But citing mainly safety and maintenance concerns, he said the playground is for use by students during school hours or by students who participate in the After-School Plus program, "under proper adult supervision."

Aikahi Principal Lynn Kobayashi did not return our phone call, but we did see her March 18 letter to parents and the community posted online, saying, "school facilities are not community parks and as such, we are responsible for the activity that takes place on school grounds."

She goes on to say that the playground "was a result of a community project to help the school, and intended for supervised use by our students on campus. In the past, improper, outside use of the playground has exposed our students to broken glass, and other harmful debris, jeopardizing their health and wellness."

Question: I have lived here for almost five years and wondered about this: On the mainland, when pumping gas into your car, you could push down a little piece of metal in the handle so that the gas could flow without you having to hold the pump. I could use the time to wash my windshield or check my oil level. Here, however, those metal pieces have been removed so I have to stand with the hose in my hand during the whole fill time. Why is this?

Answer: Because of safety concerns, according to the Honolulu Fire Department.

We got the answer back in 2005 — archives.starbulletin.com/2005/08/02/news/kokualine.html — when an HFD spokesman explained that the Uniform Fire Code does not allow "latch opening mechanisms" at self-service stations.

Under the code, any locking mechanism has to be removed so that gas-dispensing nozzles cannot be left open.

We did an online search and found that more mainland jurisdictions are following suit, to the apparent dismay of a lot of motorists who like to use the time to do other things — or not freeze in the winter cold.

Mahalo

To the three gentlemen who came to our aid last month after our car crashed into the cement barrier on the H-1 freeway viaduct. They made sure we were OK and hustled us out of the car. Another gentleman saw the accident through his rearview mirror and turned back to render aid. We are most grateful to all, including the police officer who let my husband rest in his car while waiting for the tow truck. — Grateful Seniors

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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.