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Kokua Line

By June Watanabe

Saturday, July 17, 1999

Home security systems
not available at local Sears

Question: I had an unusual experience trying to get information about the Sears burglar alarm system. I was inquiring about different home security systems with the Office of Consumer Protection and was advised to get the contractor's license number in order to check if there were prior complaints.

But when I called the number in the phone directory for the Sears system, the operator refused to give me the number. She said she was just part of a monitoring system and couldn't give out such information.

I later called the Sears general manager's office and was told someone would call back, but no one has. What's going on?

Answer: Sears Roebuck & Co. officials were apologetic when we contacted them about your complaint.

The problem is that the number listed in the directory is "obsolete" since Sears no longer has a licensee in Honolulu that handles its home security systems, Sears spokesman Tom Nicholson said in a phone interview from Illinois.

For years, Sears had a contract with a local company, whereby it would sell alarm systems under the Sears name, he said.

"We no longer have that license agreement with the company and we are evaluating now a different way of going to market with security systems," Nicholson said.

Customers who have a Sears alarm system "will continue to be supported," he said. "But we won't be selling new systems."

Beware the 'sushi man'

Please warn your readers about a young Asian man who is scamming people. He came up to me in my Punahou-area apartment building and said he needed $7 to pay the repair shop for his car.

I was hesitant, but he was so nice, saying "don't worry, I'll pay you back and I'll bring you good sushi, because I make sushi." He also said he was a born-again Christian. I only had $10, which I foolishly gave to him, and he said he would pay me back the next day. Of course, I haven't heard from him.

Later, after telling my story to my son, friends and landlord, I found out that they all knew about him and his "sushi scam," although sometimes, he asks for money to buy gas. -- No name

More on Washington Place

I think it's only fair to point out that out of the 50 United States and five territories, 51 provide an official residence for their respective governors. Having been in almost all of them, I can advise that many are modern and expensive. We should have pride in Washington Place. It is truly one of a kind. -- Jerry B. Norris

(The July 8 item about Washington Place and the July 10 "auwe" about the response from Gov. Ben Cayetano's spokeswoman dealt with the question of who gets to live in Washington Place.)

Auwe

To the irresponsible persons who strewed chunks of concrete alongside Tantalus Drive, where they could smash City and County grass-cutting blades, and dumped a pile of concrete under the beautiful banyan tree where so many folks stop to take pictures. For love of the 'aina, they should learn proper disposal of construction debris. -- Tantalus trash-picker

Mahalo

To the person who found my library book at Kailua Beach Park and returned it to the library for me. -- Michael

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