Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Friends of mine on the mainland are installing houses for bats, something like birdhouses, so that these mosquito-eating creatures are encouraged to live nearby. Will Hawaiian bats be helped by putting up bat houses? Hawaiian
bat houses
not advisedAnswer: No, since the Hawaiian bat is an endangered and federally protected species.
While there are insect-eating bats, bats in the Pacific tend to be fruit eaters, said Domingo Cravalho, an animal specialist with the state Department of Agriculture's plant quarantine branch.
"So here in Hawaii, we actually prohibit the importation of bats because we don't want them to mix or commingle with our native bats," he said. Cravalho said there's also the danger of the bats being rabies transmitters.
He remembers an incident, in the early or mid-1990s, when a bat was found in a 40-foot shipping container from the mainland. Plant quarantine inspectors were able to capture the bat.
"Because the animal was not someone's pet and it is a potential rabies carrier, we needed to check for rabies," Cravalho said. "The only way to do that was to euthanize it. Lo and behold, the animal was (tested) positive for rabies."
It was fortunate the bat was captured and that no one had gotten bitten, he said. However, the bat was injured during the capture, so one inspector received a series of rabies shots to make sure he wouldn't contract the disease, he said.
Auwe
At 6:50 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, we went to Signature Theatres at Pearl Highlands. I dropped my girlfriend off to purchase tickets while I searched for a parking space. I pulled in behind a car that was backing out of a stall. But when the car left, a guard from Safeguard Security Services walked into the stall and signaled that it was reserved. I asked him, "Since when did they start reserving parking stalls for private use?" His answer was, "This stall is taken." Then he let a young girl park her car in that stall. Preferential treatment is very unprofessional and sends the wrong message to patrons. I went to Signature to experience the comfortable seating, sound and picture quality that my friends told me about. But as a result of my awful experience, I went to the theaters in Kapolei. -- Joseph S.(Don't blame Signature Theatres. Officials were distressed to hear about your complaint, especially since Signature does not employ the security guards nor has control over the parking policy at the center, a spokesman said.
(He referred us to Angel DeCosta, property manager for Pearl Highlands Center, who talked to the guard involved.
("He didn't mean to offend" you, she said, and gave a reason for allowing the woman to park in the stall. To pursue the matter, call DeCosta at 453-2802.
(There are no reserved stalls at the center, she said.)
Mahalo
To all the farmers and workers at the State Farm Fair for their great aloha spirit. I always look forward to the fair for great bargains on vegetables and plants. This year was no exception as I bought more than I could carry. Faced with making multiple, long trips to my car, I took a chance and asked someone if I could borrow a hand truck, offering my driver's license as "insurance." He let me use it without my "insurance" and another man gave me some boxes to use, as well. They were so friendly and trusting. I'll always return to this great event! -- Trudie
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