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Kokua Line
June Watanabe
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Unwanted phone calls can be reported
Question: In recent months, I have been receiving phone calls in the early morning hours. One day, I received two calls at 2 a.m. It sounds like someone is trying to fax something. I called Hawaiian Telcom to find out how to stop these annoying calls. They basically told me that there was nothing they could do. They told me to press *69 to try and get the phone number and give them a call. I did that and got the number (999) 999-9999, which doesn't seem to be a legitimate number. My number is registered in the Do Not Call Registry. I tried to file a complaint there, but they will not accept the 999 number. Is there something I can do?
Answer: Whoever talked to you at Hawaiian Telcom should have directed you to the company's Nuisance Call Bureau, which helps customers deal with unwanted calls.
Call the bureau at 643-7111.
"Based on information available and discussion with the affected customer, this specialized team can offer options to handle nuisance calls," said Hawaiian Telcom spokeswoman Ann Nishida.
We did an Internet search and found several references to (999) 999-9999, including the title of a Thai horror film.
But most notably it is said to be a number that many companies and telemarketers use to try to mask their identities.
Nishida said Hawaiian Telcom is familiar with the (999) 999-9999 number and the practice of "Caller-ID Spoofing."
It "appears to be a growing problem," she said. "Although there is currently no law prohibiting this, the Federal Communications Commission is monitoring it closely."
Last June, the U.S. House passed HR 5126, the Truth in Caller ID Act 0f 2006, which would have made it illegal to transmit misleading or inaccurate caller identification information unless it is done in connection with authorized law enforcement activities. But that measure never made it past the Senate.
This year, a similar bill -- HR 251, The Truth in Caller ID Act of 2007 -- is up for discussion.
Q: Who is responsible for the broken sprinkler on the H-1 Freeway onramp westbound? The sprinkler is continuously shooting water on the freeway, 24-7. If you look, there's moss all over the wall.
A: We passed your complaint on to the state Department of Transportation, which is responsible for the freeways.
Unfortunately, you did not specify a location, and highways maintenance inspectors couldn't immediately place it, a DOT spokesman said.
With dozens of westbound H-1 Freeway onramps, it would save time if you could be specific, he said. With a location, an inspector will be sent out as soon as possible.
Call Kokua Line back at 529-4773 or better yet, call the Highways Division hotline, 831-6714. In the future, when you see water being wasted anywhere, you can also call the Board of Water Supply hotline, 748-5041.
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.
See also: Useful phone numbers