By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Staff Writer

Q. I appreciate being able to see the traffic cameras on cable channel 52 each weekday morning. But why do they go off a few minutes before 8 a.m.? I don't start work until after that. And, judging by the bumper-to-bumper traffic jams from cars coming in from Central and West O'ahu, I'm not the only one. Can't the cameras stay on longer for us "9 to 5" types?

A. Call 'Olelo programming manager Thom McGarvey at 834-0007, ext. 182, if you have strong feelings about extending the on-air hours for the city traffic cameras. While the cameras are operated by the city Department of Transportation Services, the hours are determined by 'Olelo, 'Oahu's cable community access channel.

McGarvey said extending the traffic cam hours is being considered seriously for the upcoming programming year that begins July 1. Currently, the traffic coverage can be seen on Channel 52 from 5 to 7:45 a.m. daily. It is followed by 15 minutes of military news that comes off a live satellite feed. Then there are two public service bulletin boards that run until 9 a.m. Each of those programs has a loyal following, McGarvey said, and adjusting the schedule may require switching some of them to 'Olelo's four other channels.

'Olelo may also extend the afternoon traffic cam schedule, McGarvey said. It currently runs from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Incidentally, you can also gain access to the city's traffic cameras at http://www.co.honolulu.hi.us/cameras/index1.htm.

Correction: Traffic photos from the city's traffic cameras are aired on 'Olelo Channel 52. The wrong channel number was given in the answer in a previous version of this story because of a reporter's error.

Q. What is the history behind the designation of Point Panic as a break reserved for bodysurfing? There appears to be board surfing going on there each time I go. What is the penalty for board surfing there, has the penalty ever been imposed, and how is this enforced? Does a surf cop paddle out and write tickets?

A. The rules for Point Panic were changed by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources in 2001 to disallow all wave-riding boards except handboards without skegs, according to Dave Parsons, DLNR boating planning manager. Surfboards were prohibited in 1994.

Point Panic, near Kewalo Basin, traditionally was a favorite spot for bodysurfers but started to get overrun by bodyboarders and surfboarders starting in the 1980s, Parsons said. DLNR officials bowed to the wishes of the Hawai'i Bodysurfers Association and changed the rules.

Officers with DLNR's Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement do patrol the area and will make on-view citations.The number to call is 587-0077 and Parsons suggested you call immediately.

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.