Question: I’ve been riding the bus to/from the same workplace, Monday-Friday, for 22 years. When I got to the bus stop at Olohana and Kalakaua avenues in Waikiki on Monday, Dec. 3, I was surprised to see a notice stating the Nos. 8, 19, 20, 23 and 42 buses did not stop there anymore and riders must go to a stop on Saratoga Avenue. More puzzling, there was a metal sign stating, "Bus Terminus.
Turn Engine Off." Riders were never warned about the change! Omission of the E Express from Waikiki meant my leaving 10 minutes earlier to catch No. 19. Now I have to add five minutes to that.
Why was no notice given? I urge all unhappy riders to voice their complaints as loudly as possible.
Answer: Oahu Transit Services apologized for not giving riders advance notice, saying it was “an unintended omission.”
A notice normally is posted in advance of a change “whenever possible,” said OTS spokeswoman Michelle Kennedy.
However, in this case a number of public notices had to be installed for seven routing changes that affected bus stops in Haleiwa, Wahiawa, East Honolulu, Kalihi and downtown Honolulu, she said.
That, “along with all of the holiday parades,” resulted in the notice at the Olohana Street/
Kalakaua Avenue bus stop being “inadvertently overlooked.”
Kennedy said the change at the Olohana/Kalakaua stop was made because of complaints to reduce the number of buses that serviced the stop.
“We will continue to monitor the service in the area and make a final determination at a future date,” she said.
Meanwhile, riders who previously used that stop to board routes 8, 19, 20, 23, 42 and 98-A are directed to bus stop No. 28 at Kuhio Avenue and Launiu Street or stop No. 876, at Saratoga Road and Kalakaua Avenue.
“Once again, we are sorry for the lack of notice and will do our best to mitigate this situation in the future,” Kennedy said.
Question: I bet my wife that only water from your toilets goes into the sewer system. She says all the water from your home does, including from your sinks, garbage disposal and showers. Who’s right?
Answer: There’s a saying, “The wife is always right.”
It’s true in this case.
All drains within a home, including those from the washer, dishwasher, toilets, sinks and showers, go into the sewer system, said Markus Owens, spokesman for the city Department of Environmental Services.
According to the department’s website — www1.honolulu.gov/env/wwm — the department collects between 100 to 110 million gallons daily of wastewater from homes and workplaces on Oahu.
The wastewater travels through a system of 2,100 miles of pipes, assisted by gravity and 70 pump stations, and delivered to nine treatment plants either owned or operated by the city.
Debris and organic solids are removed at those plants, then treated to different levels, from primary to tertiary. The resulting effluent is discharged back into the environment, either into the ocean, reservoirs or underground injection wells. In some cases it is recycled for irrigation and industrial uses.
MAHALO
To the lady in a silver van who drove ahead to show a lost tourist back to Waikiki. You helped me miss rush hour traffic on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 8. — Canadian tourist, Waikiki Banyan Hotel
MAHALO
To the staff of the Fort Street Satellite City Hall. I worked in town for many years, and always did my business there because of the convenience and the fast, efficient, courteous staff. I no longer work in town, but returned to renew my driver’s license recently. As ever, I was treated with outstanding service. I hope they know how much they are valued and appreciated. — Ann
