Posted on: Thursday, January 20, 2005

BUREAUCRACY BUSTER

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Q. I got a ticket for walking a dog in a park across from the Kane'ohe Yacht Club. I was told the park is part-owned by the city and part-owned by the condominium but there's nothing to indicate where the boundaries are. I paid $50 for a fine but a reasonable person would have no way of knowing that I was breaking the rule by walking my dogs in the big grassy area. I think the park should be clearly marked so dog owners know where to go. Can you help?

A. It turns out that whole grassy area makes up the city's Kea'alau Neighborhood Park because the developer of Yacht Club Terrace turned over the land to the city in the 1970s when the project was built. That's according to Wilfred Ho of the city Parks and Recreation Department; residents; and the company that manages Yacht Club Terrace.

Yacht Club Terrace resident Cy Gillette, who served as president of the condo's resident association until last month, said a sign indicates that no animals are allowed there. "People who live here walk their dogs along the street and along the public walkway," he said.

Kailua police said they were getting a number of complaints about dogs there when the city was considering creating a dog park there. Ed Robinson of Hawaiiana Management said the city rejected the dog park idea.

On O'ahu, the Hawaiian Humane Society said there are four off-leash parks: at the society, Diamond Head, Moanalua and Mililani. Dogs on leashes are allowed at various parks across O'ahu, according to the city Parks Department. A list is available at www.hawaiianhumane.org.

Q. Why can't I leave the cap on the plastic bottles that I recycle now at the state centers to get my nickels back?

A. Reynolds Recycling Co. president Terry Telfer said removing the plastic caps simplifies the recycling process in several ways. He said it helps remind people to empty the containers. And it's easier to process without the cap, because the containers flatten more easily without a cap.

The cap is made of a different type of plastic, which would "contaminate" the recycling if too much got in with the clear plastic, he said. And what about that little collar of plastic that stays on the container after you unscrew the cap? Telfer said that's such a small piece that it can get processed with the clear plastic without a problem.

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