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Kokua Line
Question: My husband and I recently vacationed on Maui. We attended a time share presentation at Consolidated Resorts Inc. We declined the time share, but agreed to a "sampler program" which involves paying $1,350 within 90 days of the presentation to spend seven days in Maui at one of the Consolidated resorts within the next year. Vacation deal gone
sour? Call RICOAfter thinking about our decision, we decided we acted in haste and called the same day to cancel. However, we were told that we would need to speak to "Maggie" and that she wouldn't be available until the following Monday (we called on Wednesday).
When we called Maggie the following Monday, she told us to write a letter stating our reasons for the cancellation and return the vacation package material given to us by Consolidated. She said our credit card would be credited in two to three weeks. However, instead of getting credited, we received a letter from Consolidated Resorts stating that all sales are final and there are no cancellations. We were shocked.
Answer: The state Regulated Industries Complaints office says it can't determine from your call what exactly you may have obligated yourself to. Call RICO at 587-3222 and the office will help you with your complaint.
The Regulated Industries Complaints office receives, resolves, investigates and prosecutes complaints dealing with industries regulated by the state.
Q: Those "monster trucks" that run on the our streets, what are the laws governing them? I frequently find myself facing those modified pickup trucks whose bumper is on the same level as the windshield of my standard car. They also have tires that protrude at least 12 inches beyond their fenders. In addition, when meeting one of those behemoths at night, their headlights are at the level of a normal car's windshield. Even the most minor collision between one of those trucks and a compact car could be deadly. I can't believe that Hawaii has no laws governing these things, yet I've noted these absurd vehicles all seem to have safety stickers in place. What's the deal?
A: First, there is a state law governing vehicle bumper heights, says Honolulu Police Department Traffic Sgt. Clyde Yamashiro. The maximum height of the bumper of a standard passenger car is 22 inches measured at its lowest point. For vehicles under 4,500 pounds -- which is about the weight of a pickup truck -- the maximum height is 29 inches; and for trucks 4,500 pounds to 7,500 pounds, it's 33 inches.
All trucks and cars on Oahu that have been modified in any way also need to display a reconstruction decal on their rear bumpers. Those decals are nontransferable and good as long as the owner keeps the vehicle. Once the vehicle is sold, the new owner has to take it to the city's reconstruction station at 1112 Kapahulu Ave. to get it inspected. Hours are weekdays 1-3:15 p.m.
Dave Mau, of the city's motor vehicle licensing division, points out that as part of the annual safety inspection process the height of the vehicle's bumper should be checked.
"It's part of the inspection process, just like if your car had tinted windows, those would be checked when you went in for a safety sticker," Mau said.
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