By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Q. I'm pleased that there are finally traffic signals at the intersection of Jack Lane and Pali Highway. The only problem is that when you're driving townbound in the far right lane, the lights are obscured by an overhanging tree on private property. I know there's a lower light on the sidewalk, but that's not immediately visible, either. Can the state make the property owner cut back the tree? It would be terrible if a pedestrian gained confidence because of the traffic signal and was still struck because a motorist didn't see the traffic light.

A. Mike Medeiros of the state Department of Transportation said an inspector confirmed that trees from Temple Emanu-El and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office are blocking the view of the traffic signal.

"In these cases we notify the tree owners that their trees are encroaching on the highway (right of way) and that they have to be trimmed. Most owners comply. If they don't, we can trim them ourselves and charge the owners for the cost of the work, but this rarely happens," Medeiros wrote in an e-mail.

Medeiros said Temple Emanu-El has agreed to trim its trees but the inspector was not allowed on the Taiwan government office property and will have to get in contact with it by phone or letter.

Q. What happens to abandoned vehicles once they are reported?

A. If not claimed by the last known owners, the vehicles will eventually be auctioned or recycled, city spokeswoman Carol Costa said.

Once a complaint is received, inspectors from the city Motor Vehicles, Licensing and Permits Division tag vehicles on public property. If the vehicle is not removed within 24 hours of being tagged, it is towed to the abandoned vehicle contractor's tow yard. The city then tries to contact the last known owner of the vehicle, who has 10 days to claim the vehicle. Any vehicles left unclaimed will be auctioned or, if not sold, will be taken to a recycler, Costa said.

Q. What agency regulates tow trucks? There is a tow company on the Leeward coast that I think is unregulated and unsafe. We have seen a toddler hanging out of the window, smelled marijuana wafting from the truck and seen things flying from the back of the truck. We also believe it is towing abandoned cars and selling them.

A. There is no agency that regulates tow trucks, but you should report their actions to the police, said city spokeswoman Carol Costa. "Unless they are working for the city as a tow contractor ... , unauthorized removal of abandoned vehicles constitutes theft," she said.

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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