Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: My organization, Golden Retrievers in Cyberspace, is dedicated to helping golden retrievers in need. I recently received an e-mail from someone in Honolulu, telling me about a 5-year-old female golden retriever at the Hawaiian Humane Society. The dog is heartworm positive, and apparently the Humane Society does not have the funds to pay for her treatment. Apparently because of her condition, her chances of being adopted are slim to none. We are willing to pay for her treatment, but I believe someone is required to foster her through the treatment until a new home can be found. Can you help? Group helps island
dog find a homeAnswer: Just after we received this e-mail from Helen Redlus recently, we contacted Becky Rhoades, the humane society's director of shelter operations. She was sure the dog could be adopted because of the offer to cover the treatment.
"The biggest block for someone to adopt a dog is to have to put out a $300 or $400 bill right off the bat," she said. "But if (Redlus) is willing to do that, there's a lot easier chance of finding her a home."
There was good news last week about the animal -- "pretty thin, but a really sweet dog," who was found at Sandy Beach.
"She got through the (initial) treatment fine," Rhoades said. "We had a couple of people looking at her but not really interested." Then, "we found a really good match."
A woman with a smaller, older dog "fell in love with her," Rhoades said. She even canceled a trip to Jamaica "so she could take care of her girl."
In this case, the dog found a good home quickly. However, if she was not immediately adopted, the humane society has foster volunteers who could have looked after her during treatment, Rhoades said.
Golden Retrievers in Cyberspace is a nonprofit organization based in Sunnyvale, Calif. Redlus said it relies on donations (tax-deductible) and purchases of "golden goods" offered on its Web site -- http://www.golden-retriever.com.
Aloha Tower update
The public will again be able to go up to the observation deck of the Aloha Tower beginning Saturday, April 24, from 9 a.m. to sunset daily. A ceremony is planned for 1 p.m. on April 24.Last week, state Harbors Division administrator Thomas Fujikawa said questions about security and access control had to be worked out before the tower could reopen. Since then, Aloha Tower Marketplace operators agreed to monitor and control public access "at least on a trial basis," he said.
After that, the state will assess the situation and "maybe look into some sort of contract," he said. "It's just a management thing."
Mahalo
To the people who helped when my car stalled at the entrance to St. Stephen's Church on the Pali Highway, about 7:30 a.m. March 17. I'll always remember your kindness. -- D. Toyofuku
Auwe
To those people zooming by in the "express lane," Koko Head-bound, on the airport viaduct after 7:30 a.m. Signs clearly state that that shoulder lane is not supposed to be used after 7:30. They should put cameras up to catch violators! -- Eileen
Mahalo
To the lady in the red car who called AAA, the couple who offered the flare stick and the father and son on the motorcycle who stopped to help us on Sunday afternoon, March 14, when our black truck was stalled on Kaukonahua Road. -- Teruko Yamamoto
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