Kokua Line
Kokua Line
I understand the state is turning over hurricane insurance to private industry. Where is the money going that was put in the fund? Is the state keeping it, putting it in a general fund or returning it to the people? Homeowners can buy
state hurricane policiesThe state's Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund for residential policy holders is intact, said executive director Amori Ogata.
What you may be referring to are commercial hurricane insurance policies.
"We are not going to be writing new policies or renewing policies (for commercial customers) effective Sept. 1," basically because they are readily available in the private sector, he said.
There are fewer than 3,000 of those policy holders in the HHRF.
Ogata says he doesn't foresee the HHRF shutting down any time soon "unless we get a large movement fairly quickly by the insurance companies."
First Insurance Co. of Hawaii pulled out of the fund and began offering its own hurricane insurance in January, but the other HHRF companies have not yet followed suit.
The HHRF currently has 165,000 residential policy holders and a claims paying capacity of $2 billion, Omori said.
In the wake of Hurricane Iniki in 1992, most of the insurance industry stopped writing new hurricane insurance policies. The 1993 state Legislature established the HHRF to help cover Hawaii homeowners.
In addition to First Insurance, Dai Tokyo Royal State of Japan and Clarendon National Insurance Co. of New Jersey offer hurricane coverage as part of their homeowners insurance, Ogata said.
"There appears to be a movement in that direction," he added. "More of our servicing carriers are discussing the possibilities of writing hurricane insurance on their own. But, as of yet, none of them have opted out."
The money in the fund is used to pay claims; to pay fees on a line of credit; for reinsurance; and for operating costs, he said.
I entered this year's healthy baby contest which is sponsored by Meadow Gold Dairies and coordinated by the Honolulu Chinese Jaycees. I sent my application in during the middle of July. The contest will be held Aug. 15 and I haven't heard anything back. There is no number in the phone book for the Chinese Jaycees. I don't know what time to report and I need help? f your application was mailed before Aug. 1, you were supposed to get a confirmation letter with details and a reporting time.
Meadow Gold said some contestants didn't and suggested that you call pager number 252-3808. If you need further assistance, call Meadow Gold's marketing department at 944-5950.
To the city. Last year and this year, I called the Kaneohe Corporation Yard and the Mayor's complaints office for not fixing the low sidewalk on the makai side of Kamehameha Highway between Windward Poi Bowl and Kaneohe Market. Auwe
Every time it rains, there is a puddle on the sidewalk and we have to walk on the road. I was almost hit by an approaching vehicle by walking on the road. -- Concerned senior citizen.
(The matter was referred to the former city Department of Public Works, now Facility Maintenance, on June 30.)
To the U.S. Coast Guard search-and-rescue team and the crew of the aku boat, Sea Queen, for finding and returning my 22-foot outrigger canoe on Monday, July 6. It was set adrift the Saturday before by somebody. I called the Coast Guard and the Sea Queen found it and returned it safely to me. -- Matt Buckman Mahalo
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
