Question: Since the city repaved Kalalea Street in January, drivers have had a problem with the signal at the intersection of Kalalea and Hawaii Kai Drive. Sensors implanted in the asphalt at Kalalea Street have not been replaced, so drivers on Hawaii Kai Drive have to wait while the signal is green for Kalalea even when no cars are present. The Department of Design and Construction told me that all paving must be completed in the neighborhood before the sensors can be replaced. I said it was a safety issue because that intersection is used by children who attend Kamiloiki Elementary School. I was told that’s the way it is, and drivers need to follow the law. I said that is unrealistic because some drivers are impatient and try to beat the red light, putting themselves and the children at risk. It is March, and the repaving appears to be finished but the situation has not changed. Isn’t one child’s life worth more than an obsolete city policy on road construction?

Answer: In this case at least, the policy stands.

Unfortunately, the sensors won’t be replaced soon, because the Department of Design and Construction has not accepted the repaving work.

As frustrating as it may be, it’s up to motorists to drive safely and obey the signals.

"Public safety is always the top priority of the DDC and the paving contractor," said DDC Deputy Director Mark Yonamine.

Over the course of construction at signalized intersections, there is a period when the signals will have to be on a timer, he said.

At this point there is no target date yet for reinstalling the sensors.

"Area residents are asked to be patient, obey traffic laws at all times and call HPD for enforcement action requests," Yonamine said.

He explained that the standard procedure for DDC road resurfacing projects is to test core pavement samples following the completion of a project.

That’s to ensure the asphalt meets specifications for both compaction and thickness, he said.

"In the case of Kalalea Street, core testing indicated nonconformance to the specifications," Yonamine said. DDC is in discussions with the contractor to determine "the appropriate solution."

"The city delays the installation of loop detectors until these negotiations have been completed in order to avoid their removal and reinstallation should the solution be to repave the area," Yonamine explained.

The total contract cost of the Rehabilitation of Localized Streets, Phase 11C Hawaii Kai and Kamehame project is $17.2 million.

The contractor, Road and Highway Builders LLC, is responsible for meeting specifications, and any rework would be at its expense, Yonamine said.

Mahalo

To everyone who helped me after I went shopping at Kahala Mall. I had purchased two containers at Simply Organized. The clerk put each in a bag and tied the tops together so I could carry them.

Outside the store, a little boy, Henley, and his mom helped me take the bags to the bus stop. I asked Henley whether he lived nearby, and his mom said they were from Texas! I tried to give him $5, but they both refused.

I crossed the street, setting the bags down while I rested. A little girl, Kiley, came to help, but I told her I was OK and to go back to her car. I crossed the street but started choking and couldn’t stop. Then I saw Kiley and her mom, who offered to call someone or the ambulance or take me to the hospital. I said I just needed to rest. Kiley got a chair from the car. I sat down and relaxed. Her mom called her husband, a doctor, then took my blood pressure, which was low but OK.

She said she would take me home. I told her to just take me to the next bus stop, but she asked my address and before I knew it I was home. I tried to give them $20, but they both refused. I think their last name is Nomura, but my hearing is bad. So if they read this, I hope they contact Kokua Line to correct the name if it is wrong. I just want to let everyone know how grateful I am for their concern and help. — 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.