By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Q. Why do we see so many large modified pickup trucks, the ones with the large tires and the headlights that are about 6 or more feet off the ground, on O'ahu's roads? Are these vehicles legal or are they just being overlooked?

A. Honolulu Police Traffic Division Capt. Jose Gaytan said those modified pickup trucks are illegal and are used as an example of vehicles officers should look out for and "cite on sight."

Police should issue citations when tires are not covered by fenders and the headlights are not within the acceptable 24- to 54-inch height range, Gaytan said.

Q. I commute to work on Nu'uanu Avenue from Judd Street to Vineyard Boulevard. I am appalled at its condition. I had hoped that they would repave the road once bus pads were installed, but it has been several months, and it does not appear that a repaving is imminent. With the installation of the bus pads, there are dangerous areas where the surface road ends and bus pad begins that are very uneven and cause cars to drift.

How can I request that this street be repaved for safety reasons?

A. City spokeswoman Carol Costa said the repaving work is scheduled for mid-February, once roadway construction work on Nu'uanu between Judd and School Street is completed. All of work on the bus pad is completed, but the city still needs to build a curb ramp after Verizon Hawai'i moves a telephone pole and connects the wires to the utility pole.

Q. When I recently moved to a home fronting a (private) golf course, I had thoughts of peace, tranquility and quiet enjoyment. NOT SO. Every morning at 5:30 a.m., long before dawn, the golf course gardeners are out there revving up their engines and driving around with lights on their mowers. It is impossible to sleep through this.

Can you please tell me if there is a noise ordinance against this?

A. City spokeswoman Carol Costa said she is not aware of any noise ordinance that corresponds to this complaint.

Daily maintenance begins early at golf courses because many golfers like to start early. At city courses, Costa said the maintenance staff at the West Loch and 'Ewa Villages courses start cutting work on the interior areas and progress outward to reach the residential areas last. At the Ala Wai course, electric mowers are used in the one section nearest the residential area.

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.

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