Q. What is the status of improvement plans for Kalaniana'ole Highway in Waimanalo? We heard plans for turning lanes and shoulder-widening work with wheelchair ramps. Signs went up in 2003-04 for the work to start but went down with only some wheelchair ramps installed. The potholes have been patched about a dozen times, but keep getting larger. I'm really concerned with the transition of the road by Shima's Market and L&L Drive-Inn. Pedestrians walking on the shoulder can easily be hit near the bridge's makai side.

A. State Transportation Department spokesman Scott Ishikawa said the work is being planned and will be done in phases. The project, costing $40 million to $50 million, is designed to improve traffic flow and safety.

One sign of progress is this month's publication of the draft environmental assessment in the state Office of Environmental Quality Control's Bulletin (www.hawaii.gov/health/oeqc). The assessment describes the work on the 3-mile stretch of Kalaniana'ole Highway from Olomana Golf Course to Waimanalo Beach Park. That notice gives the public until March 10 to comment.

Ishikawa said the state is negotiating the design contract for the first of several phases, starting with a reconfigured median barrier near Olomana Golf Course in summer of 2007. Other changes include addition of highway left-turn lanes at the intersections of Flamingo Road, Kumuhau Street, Humuniki Street, Mekia Street, Mo'ole Street, Inoaole Street and 'Alo'ilo'i Street. And he said the state is considering bus pullouts where space is available and grass sidewalks for horse riders.

Q. We used to take our newspapers, bottles and cans to Dole Intermediate School but the white bin isn't there anymore. Where can we take our recycling now?

A. City recycling coordinator Suzanne Jones said you can still take your recycling to Dole but the bin has been moved to the makai side of the school off Kino Street. And you can find another bin at Farrington High School as well. For a complete list of the bins and a lot of other recycling information on the Web, go to www.opala.org. You also can call the city's environmental concern line at 692-5656.

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