Question: Why are the restrooms and showers at Maunalua Bay still closed after more than two years?
Answer: Because the contract to connect the restrooms to the city’s sewer system didn’t kick in until April.
But the end finally is in sight — the restrooms are targeted to reopen in December, three years after being shut down as the city looked into ways to upgrade the cesspool system there.
City officials previously told us there was no easy solution because there is no sewer line in the area, and using a septic system and leach field was “a challenge” given the restrooms’ proximity to the ocean.
Integrated Construction was awarded the $450,000 contract last year, but the start date wasn’t until April 15.
The company has 240 days to complete the work, so the current target completion date is Dec. 10, said Chris Takashige, director of the Department of Design and Construction.
“Materials are currently being ordered, and as far as the schedule is concerned, they are on schedule,” he said.
Question: I recently got a temporary driver’s license from the downtown satellite city hall to reflect my new home address. I walked to the First Hawaiian Bank a block away, intending to update my new mailing address and to order new checks, but was told that the temporary driver’s license issued by the city Motor Vehicle Division was not an acceptable form of identification because it was made of paper. An acceptable ID would be a passport, state ID or a “plastic” driver’s license. It seems odd to me that I would have to wait three weeks for my permanent “plastic” driver’s license before I can do any banking transaction. Could you find what the reason is for this policy?
Answer: Even though the temporary paper licenses are accepted by the Transportation Security Administration as identification to board airlines, it’s not official enough for banks.
“In order to protect our customers from fraud, like other local banks, we do not feel that the integrity of the temporary license is easy to maintain in all cases, which is why we ask for another form of identification,” said First Hawaiian Bank spokesman Brandt Farias.
He noted that residents with temporary licenses are encouraged to keep an alternative form of identification as part of the renewal process for driver’s licenses.
“Our experience is that most people receive their permanent drivers’ license within a week or so,” Farias said.
In your case “the branch should have been able to work with (you) on an alternative form of identification, which we will certainly do in the future,” he said.
Mahalo
To all the many kind people who have assisted me or offered their help over the years. I am handicapped and have been blessed by so many with good hearts. Most recently I had to go to Macy’s to replace a small appliance. I struggled with my purchase from the fourth floor to the street level where I was parked. I knew I couldn’t make it to my car because of the distance. I stopped to sit on a bench with a man and his dog. His dog was very well behaved, and we started talking. After a while his wife came, and he offered to carry my packages to my car. I told him I didn’t want to hold him up, but his wife said it was not a problem, so he walked me to my car. His name is Blaine. Unfortunately, I did not get his wife’s name. After that I went to the post office. A tourist came up to me and gave me a certificate for 5 percent off groceries at Foodland. He said maybe I could use it. I didn’t get his name, but wanted to thank him and Blaine and everyone for being so compassionate and helpful. — Grateful Senior Citizen
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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.
