Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Is there a local group or organization which accepts used cell phones for reuse? I am sure some of your readers may have the same question. Donate old cell phones
to Verizon for recyclingAnswer: Verizon Wireless has a HopeLine program in which used wireless phones are collected and either refurbished and recycled or sold.
Funds raised from the sale of refurbished phones are used by the company to purchase wireless phones, explained Sherrie Coronas, local public relations manager for Verizon Wireless. Verizon then donates airtime to victims of domestic violence through various human services and law enforcement agencies.
In Hawaii, phones and grants have been donated to domestic violence emergency shelters on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, Coronas said.
HopeLine also makes financial grants to regional and national domestic violence organizations.
Wireless phones and accessories (any make and model) can be dropped off at Verizon Wireless retail stores. Donated phones are tax-deductible. Tax donation forms are available at the stores.
Call 1-800-426-2790 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. (EST) Monday to Saturday, or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (EST) Sunday for more information. Or check Verizon's Web site at http://www.verizonwireless.com/jsp/aboutus/wireless_issues/hopeline_recycling.jsp
Meanwhile, the organization we've referred readers to in the past -- Parents and Children Together -- is no longer accepting old cell phones for use by domestic violence victims in the Lifeline program.
Lifeline was started in 1996 by Honolulu Cellular (since acquired by AT&T) and PACT, with cell phones programmed to dial 911 only. AT&T decided to stop accepting phones of the "old technology" about a month ago, a spokeswoman said.
Q: When a person is temporarily assigned to a higher vacant position, are there any regulations that determine how long and whether that person is entitled to eventually become permanent?
A: There is nothing in state labor laws covering something like this, according to Tom Jackson, spokesman for the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
If anything, that issue would probably be covered under a union contract, he said. However, in most of the contracts he's aware of, there is no provision guaranteeing that someone in a temporary position, for whatever length of time, will permanently get that position, Jackson said.
Auwe
To telemarketers who call during the dinner hour. Every single evening, particularly during the week, someone calls between 5 and 6 p.m., trying to shampoo your carpet, demonstrate something or get a donation. Today, it was from Mother Earth. I asked him why he was calling at that time and he wanted to argue with me. Don't they realize people are preparing their dinner, getting ready to eat, changing their clothes, taking a bath at that time? They should not be allowed to call at that time. -- Richard
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
E-mail to kokualine@starbulletin.com