By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Staff Writer

Q. On Pali Highway, for traffic going makai, the left-turn lane onto Vineyard Boulevard is too short. Can someone look into lengthening that lane so drivers who want to turn left won't have to wait out two traffic-light cycles? A longer lane would also accommodate more cars so as not to block the through traffic. An alternative would be lengthening the duration of left-turn arrow, especially in the morning peak hours.

A. State Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa said his agency is seeking approval to hire a consultant to design several traffic improvements — among them, changes in the left-turn lane from Pali onto Vineyard.

Care must be taken in the design, to avoid creating problems for drivers from H-1 Freeway's diamondhead-bound Pali Highway off-ramp, from where many of the left-turners onto Vineyard originate, Ishikawa said. "Extending the left-turn lane may create problems for motorists from the off-ramp to get into the left-turn lane if the lane is extended and vehicles are already 'stacked' in the lane."

Q. In Kaimuki, along Sixth Avenue between Maunaloa Avenue and Herbert Street, parking is permitted on one side of the road even though traffic and road configurations don't appear safe for this. There is no divider line other than immediately past the traffic light. This causes drivers to veer almost into the middle because they are not sure of how much room they have. Some drivers slow down or stop until the oncoming car goes by. Can parking there be disallowed?

A. The city Department of Transportation Services conducted an on-site inspection and reviewed the accident history of the area. Officials determined that "implementing a parking restriction on Sixth Avenue between Maunaloa Avenue and Herbert Street is not recommended at this time," said Vicki Borges, executive assistant to the mayor.

However, she said, people who wish to pursue this matter could try to survey residents on both sides of Sixth Avenue between Maunaloa and Herbert — "with a goal of 90 percent concurrence." Submit the results to the DTS through the Kaimuki and Diamond Head/ Kapahulu/ St. Louis Heights neighborhood boards.

"While the support of the neighborhood boards does not guarantee a change will be implemented, Borges said, "we find it the best forum for neighbors to express their viewpoints regarding on-street parking matters."

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:

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• Phone: 535-2454 and leave a message.

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