By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Q. The city has done a much better job recently in its removal of derelict cars from the "back roads" and "farm lots" area in Waimanalo, but a large amount of junk that was piled into these cars is left behind (tires, engines, auto parts, etc.). Is there some governmental agency I can contact to pick up this junk?

To maintain my neighborhood, I would be willing to pick up rubbish on the roadside. Is there a way to have it picked up if bagged and left along Kumuhau Street?

A. The city contractor that picks up derelict cars is required only to tow away the vehicle and its contents, but not whatever trash is left around it. Unfortunately there is no agency that you can call to collect the scattered junk.

However, if you can rally your neighbors, one option is to join the city's Adopt-A-Block program, which requires you to clean the roadway four times a year. If you gather everything together and leave it on the side of the road, the city Department of Facility Maintenance will haul it away for you. Call Dallas Cabinatan at 523-4472 for more information.

Or if you know someone with a truck, city spokeswoman Carol Costa said, "they could be very helpful in going directly to the Kapa'a Transfer Station." The dump off Kapa'a Quarry Road will accept small and bulky items.

Q. For the last few years, my family has enjoyed having our American Youth Soccer Organization games at the Waipi'o Soccer Complex, but for the last month there have been no portable bathroom facilities. The only bathroom facility is near the soccer stadium, a 10- to 15-minute walk from the soccer fields.

Some players have been using the bushes; some parents car-pool to the stadium, making the parking and the bathrooms there a mess because of thousands of people using the only public facility available for miles.

Where can we direct our plea for help?

A. City Parks Director Bill Balfour said the Navy ordered the city to remove the portable toilets because they were within the "blast zone" for ammunition storage in Pearl Harbor.

Don Rochan, public affairs officer for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific Division, said only restrooms that can withstand a blast can be constructed in that particular area. Rochan, however, said chances of serious bodily injury or deaths are extremely rare. He declined to say whether ammunition is moved to or from the storage area on weekends because of security reasons, but said the city is aware of the issues.

He said the Navy and city are in discussions to allow portable toilets to be brought in for specific events on a case-by-case basis.

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.