Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Is it legal to mount a mailbox on a utility pole? I've seen a mailbox on a pole in Kailua, and think it would be an obstacle to the repair person who needs to climb the pole. Nothing allowed
on utility polesAnswer: As far as the U.S. Postal Service is concerned, as long as the mailbox is at the right height, the mail will be delivered, said spokeswoman Felice Broglio.
However, there is a city ordinance against attaching or nailing anything to a utility pole, said Bill Muench, a senior customer service engineer for Hawaiian Electric Co. and chairman of the Joint Pole Committee.
Call 543-5655. The owners will be asked to remove the mailbox. "If they refuse, we would go ahead and remove it," Muench said.
"The same thing would go for basketball backstops, 'lost kitty cat' signs and whatever else," he said. "We don't want to be bad guys, but we have to keep the poles (clear), and we have to be fair about it."
Muench noted that basketball backstops are the most common things mounted to utility poles, although people have mounted security cameras on the poles as well.
The Joint Pole Committee is made up of representatives of Hawaiian Electric, GTE Hawaiian Telephone Co. and the city.
"The poles are basically private property," Muench said. Attaching a mailbox, or just pounding in nails, would pose hazards to workers who might have to climb the poles, he said. And, by punching holes, he said, "that's how the bugs get in."
Q: Who owns and operates the parking structure at St. Francis Medical Center in Liliha? To whom does one report an accident there? I was told by St. Francis that APCOA owns and operates the building, but APCOA told me they forwarded my complaint to St. Francis. It's been six months, and no one has replied to me.
A: The parking structure is owned by Liliha Parking Co. and managed by APCOA, said St. Francis spokeswoman Ann Nishida. Complaints should be directed to APCOA, she said.
However, Nishida said no one could find a copy of the complaint you sent to the hospital, and speculated it may have been misrouted. However, she said she would help you get an answer.
Free tall Christmas trees
I have two 12- to 18-feet-tall Hawaiian pines growing in my yard. Does any group want one for Christmas? Whoever wants one has to cut it and take it away. -- P.T. (Call Kokua Line at 525-8686 and we'll pass on your name and number to P.T.)
Auwe
To rude salespeople at a clothing store at Ala Moana Center. I tried to exchange a shirt, but they refused, accusing me of damaging the shirt. They said anything dirty wouldn't be sold. But I saw a manager trying to clean a stain off the same kind of shirt. -- Jamie
NOTE: You can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii, 536-6956, or with the state Office of Consumer Protection, 587-3222.
Check on a store's policy on refunds, returns and exchanges before making a purchase. Signs stating any restrictions must be posted where customers can see them.
Mahalo
To John of Hawaiian Airlines for finding and turning in my cellular phone. When I called my cell number, I had no idea who, if anyone, would answer and was relieved to hear his friendly voice at the other end. I appreciate his honesty and helpfulness in turning it in. -- Bruce Behnke
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