Kokua Line
Kokua Line
It's been three days, but no one has come to repair the washers at Kalakaua Homes, 1541 Kalakaua Ave. Tenants want
someone to fix
washing machinesThey keep saying no one has left any indication that the washers are broken. I cannot believe this because they have to collect the money and to do so, they can see the washers are not working. They keep fixing the washers and they keep breaking down.
What is the state doing about this? We have senior citizens and disabled people living in this building. We deserve some responsibility.
The problem in January you referred to was due to a "glitch" between the manager of the building and the vendor, said George White, spokesman for the Housing & Community Development Corporation of Hawaii.
Following your complaint, "the process has been revised," he said.
If there are problems with the washers or dryers, call the number posted on the wall.
"The vendor has a requirement to repair the equipment within 36 hours," White said.
He noted that the machines in the launderette are not new, but the vendor was not required to provide brand new machines as part of the service.
However, in contract renewal talks, the frequency of breakdowns and problems will be part of the evaluation, White said.
In talking with residents who use the washers, however, it was discovered that many people patronize a few favorite machines -- for whatever reason, including location, he said.
"They'll popularize one machine and fill up (the money container) much quicker than the rest," he said. "The machines are programmed so that when the money fills up, it automatically shuts down the machine."
So people might think that machine is broken, when in fact, it is not working simply because it can't take any more money.
Still, White said, that's a problem the vendor has to deal with, including possibly emptying money from the washers more frequently.
Kalakaua Homes is administered by the Housing & Community Development Corp., a quasi-state agency with an independent board of directors.
Recently, I went to a nightclub (World Cafe) behind the Nimitz Business Center. As I drove to the parking garage, I was turned away by the nightclub employee because the lot was full. I was told to park at the Xerox Corporation parking lot located across from Eagle Cafe. I was then charged $2 by the night club to park there. I want to know if they had a right to charge me a parking fee, especially when there are a tow-away zone signs posted everywhere?
Yes, according to World Cafe's business manager. The nightclub has an agreement with its landlord to use the Xerox lot for valet parking, at a charge of $2, in the evening, he said.
To the people in Manoa who walk their dogs and then leave plastic bags of doggy-do hanging on trees and bushes! -- No name Auwe
To Andy, who turned his car around to pick me up when I slipped on red dirt near Pali Palms in Kailua on Jan. 14. -- Wilma Mahalo
To the couple with season tickets to the UH men's volleyball games in Section B, Row 7. Give us a break! We listened to your excessive talking last year. Stay home if you just want to talk about everything but volleyball! -- No name 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
