By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Q: How can people dispose of the hundreds of computers we have waiting for disposal? I understand they not only have mercury but lead in them.

A: Suzanne Jones, Honolulu's recycling coordinator, says dealing with electronic waste, or e-waste, is a growing problem as technological advances make more computers, television and other equipment obsolete. Cathode ray tubes found in computer monitors have toxic materials like lead and mercury, and can pose a risk when dumped in landfills.

Jones said the city is coordinating a computer collection day Oct. 26 at CompUSA on Ala Moana, where O'ahu residents can take their old or broken computers for recycling.

Various recycling companies will also take computers and recycle them for materials such as plastic, aluminum or copper and some computer manufacturers collect old computers as well. You may also donate your working Pentium-based computer to the Department of Education by dropping it off at a CompUSA. Those on the Neighbor Islands may e-mail the Computers for Kids program at cfk@catii.com.

Leeward Community College Office of Continuing Education is also inviting businesses to bring in broken computers. For details on this program, call 455-0477.

For details on computer recycling and the recycling companies that take them on O'ahu, log onto the city's recycling Web site or call 692-5410.

Q: My neighbors raise roosters and supposedly sell them for cockfighting. If cockfighting is illegal, why isn't the keeping of roosters on leashes illegal? ... My neighbors have at least 30 chickens roaming around their yard and about five roosters on leashes.

A: There is a limit to two chickens or roosters in homes in residential areas on O'ahu under the animal nuisance law. If you suspect they are being used for cockfighting, you may make an anonymous complaint to the narcotics/vice division in the Honolulu Police Department by calling 529-3007. You may also make an anonymous complaint online by logging onto www.hono lulupd.org, clicking on the narcotics/vice page, and filling out a suspicious activity report.

Animal noise complaints and complaints of too many animals on a property can be reported by calling 911.

Do you ever get frustrated or confused trying to navigate the various layers of government? Are you looking for an answer to a simple question but can't figure out where to start? If you have a question or a problem and need help getting to the right person, you can reach The Bureaucracy Buster one of three ways:

• e-mail: buster@honoluluadvertiser.com

• Phone: 535-2454 and leave a message.

Be sure to give us your name and daytime telephone number.