Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question:I have a complaint about Oceanic Cable. Since moving here in October, I've noticed a large Hispanic community on the island, yet there are no Hispanic TV channels. Oceanic has Filipino and Japanese channels; why is it so hard to get one channel for Hispanics? Demand sets
ethnic TV
programmingAnswer: Customer demand is among the factors that determine programming, so let Oceanic hear your voice. Other considerations are availability, channel capacity and cost, said Oceanic spokesman Kit Beuret.
For now, Chinese and Spanish language channels are being considered and may be offered as part of digital cable service after this year, Beuret said.
As for Japanese and Filipino channels, demand has always been strong because they are the most common second languages in Hawaii, he said. Oceanic provides Nippon Golden Network and the Filipino Channel as optional subscriber services.
In the meantime, you can find some Hispanic-themed programs, produced by individuals or groups in the community, on 'Olelo, the Corporation for Community Television.
Current shows, all on cable channel 52 on Oahu are: Alabadle (talk/inspirational), 1 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays; Hawaii Para Cristo (inspirational), 9 a.m. Sundays and Tuesdays; Que Pasa Hawaii (variety show), 8 p.m. Wednesdays.
A recent special, which means a limited run, was on the Hispanic Chamber Commerce.
To find out what's on the 'Olelo channels, call 834-0007, extension 120; check the web site, www.olelo.org; pick up a printed program guide at a public library; or check the daily Star-Bulletin or the Sunday Advertiser's TV & Cableweek guide.
Ku'uipo Rossiter, 'Olelo's programming manager, says if any readers feel "they are not represented on television or if they can't find anything interesting to watch, we invite them to come to 'Olelo and learn how to create programs that will interest them."
'Olelo will train people on Oahu to create non-commercial programs of all types, she said. The main facility is in Mapunapuna, but there are satellite centers in Kahuku and Waianae.
Q:My 5-year-old son has been interested in street lights since he was 2. He has noticed the many varieties of street lights and loves to draw them, some realistic and others quite imaginative. He would like to know how many street lights/poles there are on this island. Does anyone know?
A:As of last week, the number of city-maintained street lights on Oahu was 43,476, according to the city Department of Facility Maintenance.
The city does an annual count in June.
On state-maintained roads, there are approximately 28,000 streets lights. If you count tunnel lights, rail lights, sign lights, etc., that number goes up to about 33,000, a Department of Transportation supervisor said.
He pointed out there are only 11 workers assigned to maintain those 33,000 lights.
To a young couple in a blue Honda and a young gentleman in a small white car who came to our aid on April 8. We got into a spin-off on the H-1 Freeway, going Ewa bound, just before the Pearl City off-ramp, when a dark Neon car cut us off without stopping. Mahalo also to the city ambulance crew and police officers Skaggs and Sagun. This showed there are a lot of good young people around. -- '92 Plymouth Voyager van Mahalo
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
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