Kokua Line: Complaints drive response to common city problems

Question: Sometimes when Kokua Line answers questions about a problem that needs solving, like graffiti, or abandoned cars, or potholes, or whatever, you give a number to call and say “the city responds to reports.” Does that mean the city only responds to reports? Do I have to call in every pothole I see to get it fixed? Shouldn’t they be out there looking for these problems and fixing them on their own, without citizens having to report it?

Answer: “City crews do watch for items that need repair, but they cannot be everywhere nor are they expected to see everything that needs attention,” said Ross Sasamura, Honolulu’s director of facility maintenance and chief engineer. “In most situations, community members may be directly affected by, or more sensitive to, specific issues or conditions that require attention or correction in their neighborhoods or on their routes to and from home.”

Moreover, “there are also limitations on the number of city crews in circulation, due to attrition, an extremely low unemployment rate, and higher pay from private sector employers. It is increasingly difficult to attract and retain public workers,” he said, even though the city is a “great place to work with good benefits.” He suggested that anyone interested check www. governmentjobs.com/, and search for Honolulu city positions; multiple jobs are listed.

So, it’s important to report the problems you describe, and more. Here’s how to do so, according to city officials:

>> Abandoned cars: Call 768-2530 or use the Honolulu 311 mobile app or the “Report a Concern” form at www.honolulu/csd. A direct link to the “Report a Concern” form is 808ne.ws/ repcon. Provide the vehicle’s description (make, model, color, etc.), license number, and location address or intersecting streets. “The process to begin an investigation is complaint- driven, meaning our inspectors respond to the specific complaint. An inspector will be assigned to the area to determine if it meets the requirements of an abandoned or derelict vehicle; if so, then it will be towed,” said Randy Leong, deputy director of the city’s Department of Customer Services.

>> Illegal storage (often related to homelessness): Call 768-4381 or use the previously described mobile app or online form. “Our Stored Property Ordinance/Sidewalk Nuisance Ordinance enforcement efforts concerning illegally stored personal items in parks, sidewalks, drainage channels, streams, and other city facilities relies upon reports and complaints from community members,” said Sasamura.

>> Potholes: Call 768-7777 to report potholes on city streets, or use the mobile app or online form.

>> Streetlights: Call 768-5300 to report problems with streetlights along city streets, or use the mobile app or online form.

Both the the pothole and streetlight hot lines take calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including city holidays.

>> Overgrown grass, weeds and trees:

Overgrowth on city medians: Call 768-3600 or use the online form.

Overgrowth on city sidewalks: Contact the abutting property owner. “Overgrowth along planter strips next to a concrete sidewalks and/or grass growing up through a sidewalk is the responsibility of the abutting property owner, per Section 14-20 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu,” Sasamura said.

City street trees: Call 971-7151 to request planting or pruning of street trees.

City parks: Most tree trimming and grass cutting is done on a regular schedule. To comment on the condition of grass in city parks, call 768-3001 or email parks@honolulu.gov.

Trees encroaching on a state freeway, such as the H-1, should be referred to the state Department of Transportation, not to the city. Call 831-6714 or email MSWClerk@hawaii.gov.

>> Crowing chickens: The city controls chickens on its own property, and contracts with the Hawaiian Humane Society to enforce animal nuisance laws on private property. However, the contract covers owned chickens, not feral ones. If you can identify the noisy chicken’s owner, call the Humane Society at 356-2200. Revised Ordinance of Honolulu 7-2.2 defines an animal nuisance as “continuous and/or incessant noise for a period of 10 minutes or intermittently for one-half hour or more to the disturbance of any person at any time of day or night and regardless of whether the animal, farm animal or poultry is physically situated in or upon private property,” Leong said.

If it’s a feral chicken, the property owner is responsible. “The city continually tries to address feral and free-roaming animals on city property. Some examples of city property are golf courses, parks, and base yards. We encourage the state to do the same,” Leong said.

If you’re sure the chickens are on city property, email the city’s Customer Care Section at Complaints @Honolulu.gov.

>> Graffiti: Call 768-5180 to report it on city property. “The city attempts to cover graffiti as soon as possible, and we appreciate the public making us aware of any new markings,” Sasamura said.

For information about reporting graffiti on public or private property to Honolulu police, see 808ne.ws/graffitipage.

>> Illegal dumping: Call 768-3203 or email illegal dumping@honolulu.gov.

Sasamura also noted that the city organizes community programs to help maintain or beautify public facilities under the its jurisdiction. Volunteers are needed for Adopt-A-Park, Adopt-A-Block, Adopt-A-Stream and Malama O Ka Aina programs. Search honolulu.gov for details.

Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.