Q. If bus drivers are distracted by cell phones ringing, what about the passengers feeling unsafe while bus drivers talk on cell phones while driving?

A. The company that runs TheBus said drivers are permitted to carry cell phones but are not supposed to use them except in an emergency. That's according to Roger Morton, president and general manager of O'ahu Transit Services.

He said cell phones have proven helpful in various emergencies when drivers have been able to call for help, but company policy calls for the drivers to use the radio first and use the phones only for emergencies.

Morton said drivers are to keep their phones on silent mode and not drive around chatting. "If you're caught here, it's a major rules violation," he said. He said people who want to report drivers talking on the phone in non-emergencies can call the company at 848-4500.

Q. How often is the parks department supposed to check sprinkler heads? Near the fountain by the Elks Club in Waikiki, virtually all the sprinkler heads were gone and water was pouring into the street, drains and ocean. Why are thousands of gallons of drinking water wasted in this manner?

A. City Parks and Recreation Director Lester Chang said the sprinkler heads on Kalakaua were just fixed — again. He said that's a chronic problem because vehicles frequently drive onto the grass and over the heads and break them. Chang said there was "a major fix" there about two months ago. And maintenance folks have made spot repairs there at least one a week since then, he said.

Q. Does your newspaper recycle those little clear plastic bags that you put around the newspaper on rainy days? If yes, I could save them.

A. No, our newspaper does not collect those bags to reuse. But I have a friend who recycles them when he uses them to clean out the kitty-litter box. I'm sure other readers have other uses as well.