Q. Back in July, a pesticide was sprayed on the roof of the Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library, setting adrift a disgusting odor and causing people nearby to suffer from burning eyes and other discomfort. The library had to be closed. Can you tell me what happened?

A.The state Department of Agriculture did investigate the problem that you reported. Pesticides program manager Robert Boesch said the substance on the roof turned out be an application of the pesticide copper napthenate, which also serves as a wood preservative designed to prevent rot caused by mold and fungus.

Boesch said the contractor was issued a warning notice for using too heavy a dose of the substance.

Q. I live in the Kalaheo Hillside area and have tried to report a problem with the concrete ditch behind our homes along 'Iliwahi Loop. Some neighbors have put up fences across the ditch. When it rains heavily — and it is the season now — the water pours down the cracked channel and onto the properties below, flooding and undermining foundations. A wall on the property of a neighbor below us is tilting. If that wall falls, our retaining wall will probably fall, too. Another neighbor built a wall alongside the easement to protect his house from flooding and it is now tilting. We have tried to call the city numerous times and the responsibility gets passed around. Many people see possible danger if this is not addressed correctly. What can be done?

A. David Tanoue, city Department of Planning and Permitting deputy director, checked and said the city Department of Facility Maintenance, which also did further research, found that "the easement and drainage facility in question is private and the responsibility of the homeowners."

He said the city does not own or maintain that drainage channel. If you have a community association, he said it might be where you can find more information or possibly work together with others toward a solution.

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 phone number in case we need more information.

Reach Robbie Dingeman at rdingeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.