BUREAUCRACY BUSTER
 |
Q. Why are our tax dollars being used by the state to put in disabled-access ramps at intersections that don't even lead to sidewalks?
A. The short answer is that federal laws require the state to install the ramps to comply with requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act, said state Transportation Department spokesman Scott Ishikawa.
One example of the intersection ramps that don't lead to a concrete sidewalk is at Castle Junction on the way to Kailua, Ishikawa said. "We are required to put curbs in all areas no matter
if there are sidewalks to connect to or not," Ishikawa said.
Because the state must install the disabled-access ramps at every corner of an intersection, "it can lead to a grassy shoulder," he said.
Advocates indicate that even those intersection ramps can be helpful, Ishikawa said. For example, if someone with limited mobility were in an accident or a stalled car at such an intersection, they could use the ramps to get off the road.
Ishikawa said the state has made good progress with installing the ramps required at some 1,700 intersections statewide and expects to meet its June deadline.
He said the state is still working on a related matter — emergency telephones for the hearing-impaired.
He said the state is waiting for electronic parts to make the roadside assistance phones useful for the hearing-impaired. "We're asking for a short extension on that," he said.
Q. We have a problem with people parking illegally on
the sidewalk near our homes. We live near Kapi'olani Community College and it seems that parking problems get a lot worse when school is in session.
A. Officer Wyllie Lum, District 7, said police do patrol the area you mentioned along Kilauea Avenue near 16th and 17th avenues.
After your complaint was received, several vehicles were cited, and police haven't noticed a problem since. Give them a call if you see the problem again.
Q. I'd like to find an organization that would accept donations of bicycles in good condition and bicycle parts in good shape.
A. If readers know of such an organization, please contact this column so we can pass the information on.
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.
Write to:
The Bureaucracy Buster
The Honolulu Advertiser
605 Kapi'olani Blvd.
Honolulu, HI 96813
E-mail: buster@honoluluadvertiser.com
Phone: 535-2454 and leave a message. Be sure to give us your name and daytime telephone number in case we need more information.
