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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Thursday, March 10, 2005

BUREAUCRACY BUSTER

Tenant parking fees cut

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Q. Several months ago, the City Council passed a bill to roll back the parking price increases for tenants in some downtown parking lots and refund money to tenants who paid too much. Former Mayor Jeremy Harris did not enforce that ordinance. Could you update me?

A. Mayor Mufi Hannemann told the city Department of Facility Maintenance to lower the parking fees as of March 1, said city spokesman Bill Brennan.

He said that department is working out the details of a credit/refund procedure for tenants charged the higher fees.

Q. I suffered a pothole accident on Pali Highway, just before Castle Junction. I tried to contact the right agency to report it. But I don't know where to call. Is that a state or city issue?

A. That is a state question, said state Department of Transportation spokesman Scott Ishikawa. To report a pothole on a state highway or freeway, call 536-7852.

If you believe that the pothole caused your damage, you can call 831-6703 to request a claim form, he said.

Then the state will investigate the incident and consider your claim. Ishikawa encourages anyone seeking a claim to have as much specific information as possible about the time, date and place of the incident as well as documentation of the damage or claim.

Q. I read your column about potholes and cars that have suffered damage from them. What about wheelchair and scooter users? Do they have that same right to file claims for damages from potholes and sidewalk cracks?

A. Yes, wheelchair and scooter users can file claims. If you are reporting a problem on a city sidewalk, call the Department of the Corporation Counsel at 523-4639 to request a claim form.

Q. I would like to report a very uneven sidewalk on 12th Avenue between Wai'alae and Harding, where I fell and broke a bone in my foot. I just want them to come see how bad it is. I'm not asking for any repayment.

A. You can call the city's customer service office at 523-4381 to report an uneven sidewalk or any other city problem. The folks there will check it out.

If you leave a name and number, they can call you back and tell you what they found.

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Honolulu, HI 96813

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