Question: Saturday afternoons, I play tennis at the Kalakaua tennis courts. Since it is the weekend, I normally park at Kalakaua intermediate school. On Aug. 26 (a Saturday) at around 2:45 p.m., I was informed that if I were to park there, I would have to pay $3. (I was already parked and there were no signs.) I’m assuming it was to take advantage of a football game at Farrington High School. My questions: Are public schools allowed to charge for parking at their lots after hours? And if so, who is benefiting from the charge?
Answer: Yes, and most of the money goes back to the school, said Lindsay Chambers, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Education. “Pursuant to HRS 302A-1148 and HAR Title 8, Subtitle 2, Chapter 39, the DOE has authority to charge for the use of school buildings, facilities and grounds. The majority of the fees collected go back to the school. A portion is taken out for utility charges, if any, as well as custodial charges,” she said.
Q: I hope you can tell us when Leahi Hospital Thrift Store is opening again. I have tried to call them numerous times and get no answer. They are so good for leaving donations, because they accept everything from nuts and bolts to designer clothes. I usually end up buying there, too.
A: The thrift shop staffed by volunteers to benefit the nursing home at 3675 Kilauea Ave. is expected to reopen, but the date has not been set.
“We hope to reopen in the not-too-distant future after implementing a number of administrative changes. We thank everyone for their patronage and look to continue receiving support from the community as we move forward. The timetable has not yet been set, but you can add your name to our contact list by emailing me at rkondo@hhsc.org. Signs will be posted and notices will be sent out to interested parties,” said Reid Kondo, Leahi Hospital’s interim administrator.
The thrift shop closed in mid-June, he said.
Q: How do we legally get rid of old fireworks? I am sure many others have an old box of leftovers from when they were legal.
A: “The public should call 911, and an officer will be sent to assess the situation. This applies to unused fireworks, gunpowder, bullets, explosives and similar items,” said Michelle Yu, a spokeswoman for the Honolulu Police Department.
This answer also serves to inform another reader, who wrote in asking about what to do with old, apparently inert ammunition she found cleaning out her late father’s garage.
Q: Regarding the rats on Lehua island (808ne.ws/kline9417): How long will they be monitoring that situation?
A: Monitoring will continue for the next year to ensure that no rats remain on the seabird sanctuary west of Kauai, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. “DLNR, Island Conservation, and a broad cross-section of conservation, science, community, and Native Hawaiian partners indicate that for the project to be viewed as a success there needs to be 100 percent eradication of rats from Lehua,” the department states on its website.
Auwe
Auwe to the family that mows their loved one’s marker at the Mililani cemetery but doesn’t rake and dispose of the cuttings! Don’t get me wrong. It’s nice of you to think of your loved ones, but have a little class about the neighboring grave markers. Because you don’t dispose of the cuttings, the wind blows it and covers my parents’ grave marker! Show some consideration, please. — A reader
Mahalo
On Aug. 21 at the Alaska Air baggage arrivals after a flight from Seattle, a very kind gentleman saw my wife and me struggling to pull off our heavy suitcases from the moving ramp and pulled ours off for us. His kindness was greatly appreciated. — Older folks
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.
