Q. Kapalama Avenue between Aupuni Street and Makanani Drive needs to be repaved because it has so many potholes. I've called the pothole line three times asking who I should contact but I haven't heard back. Who do I call about the problem?

A. You've done the right thing by calling the pothole line. Another option is filling out a request for pothole service at www.co.honolulu.hi.us/dfm/road/pothole.htm.

It's unlikely you'll get a call back, but someone is making note of where the potholes are.

"There are quite a bit of them because of the badly deteriorated roads," said Tyler Sugihara, assistant chief for the city division of roads and maintenance.

Potholes have become such a problem that the city has started a Pothole Patrol site at www.driveakamai.org/main/potholepatrol.html where you can find out which areas are being checked for potholes.

"Kalihi areas" is on the list.

As for Kapalama Avenue, Sugihara thought the roadway had been looked at, but the city might check the section you mentioned.

The problem, Sugihara said, is that pothole patching is just a Band-Aid solution. "The real correction to this is a good resurfacing or rehabbing work," he said.

However, the priority for a project that extensive goes to heavily traveled roads and the roadwork is often done in conjunction with work on underground utility or sewer lines.

"There's a lot of money being spent on the major roadways, so the residential subdivision-type roads were kind of pushed to the side for a little bit," Sugihara said.

The city is now trying to play catchup on the residential roads, but patching — whether a single hole or a whole block — is likely a temporary solution.

"That's not the perfect method of repair, but it takes away the jarring effect of the pothole," he said.

Sugihara said it would be better to do resurfacing work similar to what's being done in Waialua, because quality work means repairs won't be needed as quickly.

"It's tough, though, because we're short on manpower," he said.

UPDATE

After last week's question/complaint about street parking on Saratoga Road in Waikiki being taken up by construction vehicles, city councilman Charles Djou found out that there are 18 public stalls in the Waikiki Beach Walk parking lot where municipal parking rates apply and no validation is needed. The lot is at the Embassy Suites Hotel.