Question: Why is Thomas Square all boarded up?
Answer: The city park mauka of the Neal S. Blaisdell Center is closed for six months of heavy maintenance, which will include the removal of the mock orange hedge, grading, a new irrigation system, pruning of the Indian banyans at the park’s center, removal of unhealthy trees and grass replacement, according to a news release from the city last month, before the tall construction barriers were erected and the closure became obvious to passers-by.
The 6.4-acre park is bounded by Ward Avenue and South King, South Beretania and Victoria streets. Public sidewalks surrounding it remain open, although the park itself is closed for the duration of the $1.18 million project.
The work is expected to be finished by this summer, at which time Hawaii’s first official public park will reopen.
“We believe park users will enjoy Thomas Square even more once the project is completed,” Nathan Serota, spokesman for the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation, said Tuesday.
However, some park users are concerned, viewing the current project as a prelude to a proposed long-term redevelopment they worry will commercialize Thomas Square, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been a popular site for craft sales, art shows and other community activities.
Honolulu Star-Advertiser reporter Gordon Y.K. Pang covered some of the community’s concerns, and the city’s response, when he wrote about the then-imminent temporary closure of Thomas Square last month. You can read his Dec. 10 story at 808ne.ws/2kqmVm6.
Serota said Tuesday that the longer-term construction work proposed for Thomas Square is under review; the current maintenance is a separate project.
Q: Do I have to have insurance for my moped?
A: No, individual private operators are not required to carry liability insurance. You must have a license, though.
Q: Is that moped registration a one-time thing?
A: No, it’s an annual requirement, as is the safety inspection.
Q: This is confusing. How can I pass the safety inspection without the registration?
A: On Oahu an initial inspection and registration process takes this problem into account.
Take your moped to be inspected for safety, despite having no registration. The cost is $13.24 plus tax. Assuming that your moped is otherwise roadworthy, you will receive a “failed” safety inspection certificate indicating that you lack only the registration. Take that to a satellite city hall and register your moped. The fee for initial registration is $32.50. After obtaining the registration, return to the safety inspection station for your valid safety certification. You won’t have to pay for the second visit as long as you return within 30 days of the initial inspection.
For details on the process and for a list of inspection stations, go to honolulu.gov and click on “moped registration information.”
Auwe
When leaving the campus of Kapiolani Community College at dusk each night, I have noticed a homeless man setting up the bench at the bus shelter to become his bed for the night. As this shelter is used a lot by our students, my question is, Who is responsible to ensure that a public bus shelter meant to keep bus patrons safe from the elements doesn’t become someone’s home for the night? — R.T.
E kala mai
My apologies for being short-tempered standing in line at the pharmacy. It’s not easy being a caregiver, but that’s no excuse. I’m sorry I snapped at the clerk. — No name
Mahalo
I’d like to send a mahalo to the person who turned in my cellphone, which I had left in a grocery cart at the Aina Haina Foodland. It was a lifesaver! Thanks again. — Mahalo, M. Rodrigues
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.
