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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Don Quijote decor called fire hazard
Question: Would you please ascertain if all the plastic decorations installed at the recently opened Don Quijote stores are fire retardant? Amid all of the "jungle" decorations hanging from the ceiling and the large signs, it is impossible to know where any fire exits are located. I asked several employees about the dangerous-appearing decorations, and they said they did not know if they were fire retardant.
Answer: Based on "multiple complaints," the Honolulu Fire Department had already inspected the Don Quijote (USA) Co. store on Kaheka Street by the time of our inquiry.
The store was cited because officials could not produce documentation to show the abundant plastic flower and vine decorations were "flame treated," Capt. Rick Muramoto of HFD's Fire Prevention Bureau said yesterday.
Because of that, the decorations were removed, he said.
No fine was to be levied if the store corrected the violations. HFD normally allows a two-week grace period, Muramoto said.
We left three phone messages with Don Quijote yesterday but did not receive a call before deadline.
Muramoto said it was his understanding that only the Kaheka Street store was cited, because the jungle-themed decorations had not been installed at three other outlets.
Regarding exits, he said the required signs "are there," but fire inspectors found that some signs were obstructed by decorations.
"We told them that (the signs) had to be visible," he said, adding that Don Quijote was in the process of installing additional signs.
Retail establishments are required to know about and comply with the Fire Code, Muramoto said.
"It's like any law. Ignorance of the law is no excuse," he said. Businesses "should be aware of what they can and cannot do. If they need help, they can call us. Some businesses actually do inquire before they do anything."
Mahalo
To the gentleman who yielded his turn to us in the Palolo District Park parking lot so we could park and enter the gym in time to watch and videotape our granddaughters' basketball game. Before we could thank him, he drove out of the lot to look for parking on the street. If he is a parent or grandparent of a girl playing in the Kalakaua Fall Basketball League and comes to see the games on Tuesday nights, he will be able to pick us out because I will be videotaping my granddaughters' games from my wheelchair, and my wife will be sitting next to me keeping stats. We would like to thank you personally and get to know you. By your good deed you have shown us that you are a special person worth knowing. -- George and Dorothy Hieda
Mahalo
To the city bus operators for continuing their service on a timely basis on the Sunday after the earthquake. Traffic lights were out, yet the bus operators displayed both safety and courtesy. -- Michael Nomura
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.
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