Sunday, September 27, 2009

HPD - Statistics - Haleiwa - Waialua

To check thefts, burglary, district map etc. check these web sites.

http://www.honolulupd.org/statistics/weekly/d2_sector_3_rpt.pdf
http://www.honolulupd.org/statistics/d2-3.htm

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Tree stump removal

This is what needs to happen in a case of tree stump removal. Kai's Tree Service, because of friendship and a long standing relationship of good service reduced his price from $450 to $200 and instead of using only one machine, used two to speed up the removal process. It took two machines with 3 people 45 minutes to complete the job.



Lanai Decking - Waterproofing

This is what can happen (and usually does happen)when a rug, tile or any type of flooring is installed over waterproofing that cannot ventilate. Water gets in through the carpeting, tile grout or any opening and gets trapped. In this case, the waterproofing was the weak link.





When the carpet on this lanai was removed to see why ants were getting into her unit, this is what I found.


The sole reason for this occurance or damage is because the water was being trapped and could not ventilate. The rest of the decking was in fine condition. The ants took advantage of the water and penetrated into her unit. I removed the carpeting, killed off the ants and now all appears to be fine. This unit happened to be on the first level so there was no leakage to a unit below.

Bathroom floor drain

Here is what you're into when you change out a hallway bathroom shower floor drain.














Here is the shower drain looking from the side of the drain. The drain measures 2" in diameter. It is originally installed into the concrete slab then packed leaded into place for a watertight fit. Once the top sleeve is removed and then the lead is removed, the sleeve pops right out. An ABS sleeve is then installed onto the old cast iron neck with a coupling for a watertight finish.


Here's a top view of the lead packing.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Discounts

Here's a discount coupon for swimming with the dolphins till the end of 2009
http://www.dolphinquest.org/destinations/oahu/whatsnew.php?aID=1z4z1 The reservations number I have listed is 800-248-3316. However, this phone number is in the mainland someplace so you have to call before 2pm Hawaii time to reach a human. It is currently set up for those who have a valid Hawaii state ID. I am working to see if we can include tourists in this package. Check with me before you commit.

You can have a discount on the shark tours by calling 808-228-5900 mention you want the Haleiwa Surf Condominium discount - student rate through the resident manager Todd White.

You can have a discount on the sunset catamaran tours or the whale watching tours when the whales are in season or whenever they sail by asking for Don Germain at 808-351-9371. Tell Don you want the discounted rate from Todd White at the Haleiwa Surf Condominiums.

I am currently working on a discounted rate at the Surf and Sea for long board, kayak and snorkle rentals. Check with me before you commit.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Fire Alarm - country style

If you find yourself on a "remodeling budget" and simply cannot afford all the amenities required to fulfill all the safety requirements, you may want to consider this little gem of a safety savings for your unit.


Flies / Fly repellant

If you want to keep flys away from your screen door area, take a ziploc baggie and fill it half full with water and put in fronting your screen door. I put a couple of penny's inside mine to make it more appealing. What will happen is the flies think that they're moving into some other animals territory, don't like the competition and will move on. Wasps and bees don't like it either.



For us, it seems to work just fine.




Regarding the science behind zip log bags of water? My research found that each of the millions of molecules of water presents its own prism effect and given that flies have a lot of eyes, to them it's like a zillion disco balls reflecting light, colors and movement in a dizzying manner. When you figure that flies are basically prey for many other bugs, animals, birds, etc., they simply won't take the risk of being around that much perceived action. I read about this once and thought these "hillbillies" were just yanking my country boy chain but I tried it, and it worked immediately! We went from hundreds of flies to seeing the occasional one, but he don't hang around long.







Regarding the science behind zip log bags of water? My research found
that each of the millions of molecules of water presents its own prism
effect and given that flies have a lot of eyes, to them it's like a
zillion disco balls reflecting light, colors and movement in a dizzying
manner. When you figure that flies are basically prey for many other
bugs, animals, birds, etc., they simply won't take the risk of being
around that much perceived action. I moved to a rural area ant thought
these "hillbillies" were just yanking my city boy chain but I tried it,
worked immediately! We went from hundreds of flies to seeing the
occasional one, but he don't hang around long.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Circuit Breaker Schedule - One bedroom Unit.

Facing the circuit breaker panel on the left side of the panel, there are 5@ #20 amp breakers. On the right side, there are 1@ 20 amp breaker, 2@ 50amp breakers and 2@ 30 amp breakers. Where the kitchen sink is on the North side of the unit, this is your schedule. There may be numbers on your breaker switches Left side being 1,3,5,7 and 9 - and the right side being 2,4,6,8,10. Or somebody may have changed out your breaker switches already and chose not to number them. Your electrician may have relocated where the wiring goes for your switches so this panel list or schedule may not apply, but it should be close. This is based on what was installed on the original application. And this is only for the one bedroom.














On the left side of the panel:
Breaker #1 - 20 amp = Master Bedroom plugs, Hall Bath plugs and parts of the living room.
Breaker #2 - 20 amp = Kitchen, the living room plugs North end of the unit, over head living room fan, master bath lights, hall bath lights
Breaker #3 - 20 amp =
Breaker #4 - 20 amp = Kitchen plug just above the sink counter, opposite side of garbage disposal switch
Breaker #5 - 20 amp = Garbage disposal switch

On the right side of the panel:
Breaker #6 - 20 amp = Refrigerator
Breakers #7&8 - 50 amp = Oven range
Breakers # 9&10 - 30 amp = Electric water heater

When the kitchen in on the Waialua side of the unit, the living room plugs are switched to the other side.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Whales

5,000 whales weighing upwards of 40 tons make the trek from Alaska to Hawaii each year. Maui has proved to be the gathering place for mating. Whales migrate to Malaea Bay on Maui each year. The trip takes approximately 3 months. Whales swim only as fast as their offspring which is about 8 mph. The fastest recorded travel time is about 39 days. Most are usually starving by the time they return to Alaska.

Each family has their own curtain of calls.