Kokua Line
Kokua Line
I have an old cellular phone to give away. I remember reading about a program where spouse abuse victims use the phones to get help. Can you help? Abuse victims get help
from Lifeline donationsThe Lifeline program was started in 1996 by Honolulu Cellular and PACT -- Parents and Children Together. Cellular phones programmed to dial 911 are distributed to domestic violence victims who have restraining orders against their abusers.
You can drop the phone off at PACT's Puu Honua office at 200 North Vineyard Blvd. Call 522-5535 for details.
About 140 phones have been donated for the Lifeline program, said Lissa Guild, Honolulu Cellular's advertising and promotions manager. An additional 200 phones are also being used in various community policing programs, she said. Both the Lifeline and community policing phones are programmed for 911 only. Honolulu Cellular picks up the cost of keeping the phones active, Guild said. Drop the phones off at any Honolulu Cellular location. Your donation is not tax deductible, but at least you're assured they're being used for a good cause.
There recently have been some abandoned vehicles and shacks put up on the empty lot at Olomea and Houghtailing streets. There are people living there. Who are they and why are they parked on the corner, creating a hazard for motorists who have to turn there? Building Department investigators found "two vehicles, a lunch wagon and two sheds" on the site, said Building Safety Division Chief Melvin Lee. The lunch wagon was being used for office/storage space; the vehicles are owned by the tenant, he said. The department issued notices of violation to the landowner, Bishop Estate, because the sheds were built without a permit and because the lunch wagon was used as an office without a building permit.
"If no extension is requested and correction is not made by this Saturday, we will issue notices of order for civil fines," Lee said.
I called OfficeMax's 800 number when I saw an ad in California quoting special prices on some supplies. I asked if the ad pertained to Hawaii and was told that it did because OfficeMax is a national firm. I also talked to a Hawaii clerk and she, too, said that it was right. So I placed an order. But when the supplies were delivered, everything was $2 more. The local OfficeMax told me "that's the way it is because the prices are higher in Hawaii." If their central ordering goes through their 800 number regardless of where you are and they are a national firm, there shouldn't be a difference in pricing. Can you help? You should have received a call telling you your account would be credited or you would receive a gift certificate to make up the difference in quoted and actual charges, a spokeswoman for OfficeMax in Cleveland said.
Prices do vary throughout the country depending on the market and the competition, she said. However, if you were quoted a certain price over the 800 line, you should not have been charged a higher price, even if the order came from Hawaii, she said.
To whoever turned in a black wallet with contents intact at the Waikiki Shell on May 1. I was amazed and grateful that this kind, honest person in a crowd of thousands turned it in. Mahalo also to the auditoriums staff for promptly notifying me, turning a potentially disastrous experience into a truly gratifying one. -- No name Mahalo
To bikers who ride at night with dark clothes and no reflectors. They might find a spoke where they don't want one! -- C.H. Auwe
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com
