Kokua Line
By June Watanabe
Wednesday, January 6, 1999
Kokua Line
I'm in a dispute with my stockbroker over the sale of some stocks. I feel inappropriate commissions were taken. I wrote to him and he promised to follow up and respond. The date has come and gone. What recourse does a consumer have to report the taking of unjustified commissions? Consumer affairs
agency handles
broker disputesCall the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs at 586-2740.
The securities enforcement branch is the agency that would look into complaints like yours, said senior enforcement attorney Patricia Moy.
Recently, traffic lights were installed on Punchbowl Street at the corners of Beretania and King streets and one in between. They were operational in a matter of weeks. Traffic lights were installed at Moanalua Road and Uahi Street at least six months ago but are still not operational. Is there any reason behind this? Aiea residents need a safer intersection.
Your query came in December and shortly after, the lights were activated.
We'd like to take credit, but apparently, the timing was just coincidental.
The traffic lights at Uahi and Moanalua were installed as part of the Moanalua Road widening project, said Roland Libby, deputy director of the city Department of Design and Construction.
It was decided to coordinate the activation of those lights with lights at Moanalua and Aiea Heights Drive, which were installed in mid-December, he said.
I went to a diner to purchase some take-out lunch. I used my personal check. I did not have a phone number on the check so they asked me for my number. When I got home, they called and said they needed my Social Security number. Was this required? I read somewhere that we do not need to give them a Social Security number. What is the statute regarding this? They wanted the information over the phone, which I did not give them.
This is a frequently asked question. Again, merchants can ask for your Social Security number and the Social Security Administration can't prevent them from asking for it. You can refuse to give it, but you then may be refused the service or product you sought.
You should ask why the number is needed, how it's going to be used and what the consequences are if you refuse to give it.
Also, just having a Social Security number does not give a retailer or anyone else access to your Social Security record.
To the Honolulu International Airport management and staff, especially the Airport Facilities Maintenance painters under the supervision of Selvestre Suguitan, who did a tremendous job in painting the faded red signs on airport roadways. The newly painted signs provide a safe driving environment and have made a significant improvement to the appearance of the airport. -- Jerry M. Matsuda, airports administrator Mahalo
To the end of the vital statistics column in the newspapers. Back in the '60s, I clipped the announcement of my kids' births, then came the marriages, then came my grandchildren's birth announcements. But now, no more clipping of the newspaper. Auwe. -- R. Vegas Auwe
To Fam Pakele. On Dec. 6, I bought a drink from one of the stands outside Eagle Hardware and forgot my wallet on the counter. Fam Pakele was an angel and did whatever she could to find me. I am so grateful there are people out there who are truly kind-hearted and honest. -- Jackie Conant 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
