Question: How do I dispose of a portable oxygen tank that I use for health reasons? I am getting a new unit but don’t know what to do with the old one. Can I put it in the garbage?
Answer: No, don’t put it in the garbage; that is unsafe. Oxygen tanks are not accepted by the municipal garbage system, either via the residential collection service or at the drop-off refuse/recycling centers, confirmed Markus Owens, a spokesman for the city’s Department of Environmental Services.
Oxygen cylinders are considered industrial waste. Owens suggested that you contact your medical supplier or take the tank to a commercial operation such as Airgas for proper disposal; there would be a fee for the latter service.
Airgas has several locations on Oahu. We called the Honolulu store (phone: 842-2225; address: 2305 Kamehameha Highway) and were told that oxygen tanks generally can be disposed of for a $45 fee. The contents of any compressed-air canister you drop off must be properly labeled.
The employee, who declined to give her name, said that you should call Airgas before you bring in the tank, to confirm that it is in safe condition for disposal.
Q: We heard horror stories about Honolulu traffic but have been pleasantly surprised. Is this as bad as it gets? …
A: No. Your vacation coincides with the Hawaii public school system’s weeklong fall break, which lasts from Oct. 10-14; classes resume Oct. 17. This schedule applies to all public schools except for charter schools and those on multitrack schedules, which means that many tens of thousands of students, faculty and staff are not traveling to and from school this week. Rush-hour traffic is worse when they are.
Q: Is it too late to register to vote?
A: No, not if you are a U.S. citizen and Hawaii resident 18 or older.
Although the regular registration deadline has passed, late registration offers such individuals “one final opportunity to register for the upcoming 2016 general election,” according to the state Office of Elections.
If you meet those requirements, you can visit any early voting walk-in location in your county from Oct. 25 to Nov. 5 and register to vote.
On Oahu, the early voting walk-in locations are Honolulu Hale, at 530 S. King St., and Kapolei Hale, at 1000 Uluohia St.
For a list of early voter walk-in locations in other Hawaii counties and additional information, see 808ne.ws/laterege or contact your County Clerk’s office.
This opportunity does not apply to U.S. nationals (only citizens) or Hawaii visitors; the application states that the registering voter makes or intends to make Hawaii his or her legal residence “with all the accompanying obligations therein.”
Volunteers needed
Readers have noted that the Pearl Harbor Bike Path needs cleaning, and an event Saturday provides the chance for them to pitch in on the work. The city Department of Facility Maintenance’s Storm Water Quality Branch is coordinating the project as part of Make-A-Difference Month activities.
Volunteers will meet at Neal S. Blaisdell Park, 98-319 Kamehameha Highway, for a cleanup that begins at 8 a.m. Volunteers will clear debris along the bike path.
Participants must be at least 12 years old and must sign a release form. They should wear covered shoes and old clothes they don’t mind getting dirty, as well as sunscreen and a hat; they also should bring their own drinking water.
For more information, please visit cleanwater honolulu.com or call 768-3267.
Mahalo
My neighbors and I thank the Department of Land and Natural Resources staff who promptly cleaned out a Waolani Stream flood hazard on Friday. Many citizens complain about government but never ask it to do what needs to be done. Mahalo! — C.G.
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.
