Q. The city built that beautiful Waipi'o Soccer Complex park, which is very well used and appreciated by many in the community. But why aren't there signs in the park to tell you what field you are playing on or watching? The city built this great park but doesn't have basic signs telling you field numbers?

A. City Parks and Recreation Director Lester Chang said you raised a good question and turned up an issue that appears to have been a bit lost in the bureaucracy.

It seems that signs had been discussed in the planning and construction of the park, "but we found out that it was canceled by the previous administration," Chang said.

Because plans had gone around for review, some parks officials thought that signs were still in the works even though the plan had stalled, Chang said. After you asked, they realized that wasn't true anymore.

"We're going to look at figuring out how to do it in-house," Chang said. "It is a good idea; we feel there's a need."

Chang said the city will install blue-and-white signs to provide directions, numbers for each field and other park information. He said the city will work to strike a balance between providing information without putting up too many signs. Chang said the new signs will be up by Aug. 31.

Q. Also at the Waipi'o soccer park, why aren't there signs on the freeway to tell people where to exit?

A. Parks director Chang said there are brown signs on Farrington Highway pointing the way to the Waipi'o soccer park. But, "we don't have any plans to get signs on the freeway," he said.

Chang said he doesn't know of other parks that have direction signs on the freeway.

Q. What's the story on the new bathrooms at that park? Are they really coming or is it just an urban legend? I still see parents running their minivans taxi-style back and forth during and between games so kids can go to the bathroom and still play in their games.

A. Chang said he has been told by engineers at the city Department of Design and Construction that the bathrooms are in the budget — $1.4 million for construction — but he hasn't yet received a firm construction start date.

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.