Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Kokua Line
Question: About two years ago, there were articles about two different retirement apartment projects planned and approved for Keahole Drive in Hawaii Kai. Are these still active projects and if so, what is their time schedule? Senior housing
options in Hawaii KaiAnswer: We could find nothing regarding any retirement development planned for Keahole Drive.
But the Hawaii Kai Retirement Community, which offers 177 rental units, opened in 1998 at 428 Kawaihae Dr. in Hawaii Kai. Call 395-9599 for information.
On the books is a 31-unit affordable senior housing project planned for Hawaii Kai Drive, near the post office. Construction on the Hawaii Intergenerational Community Development Association's Kaluanui Senior Apartments is expected to begin next January or February, according to spokesman Michael Klein.
You can call 524-0552 for information, although Klein said about 200 people already have expressed interest.
Meanwhile, another developer wants to build 115 assisted-living units in Hawaii Kai, but is still seeking financing to move ahead.
Q: You recently had an item saying the state requires both a front and back license plate on all vehicles. Is the governor exempt from that? I noticed that he doesn't have a front license plate on his new SUV, just something that looked like the seal of Hawaii.
A: As the highest-ranking state official, the governor apparently can fudge a little on the state law requiring all vehicles to have front and back plates at all times.
But, according to an aide, it's not that he doesn't have a front plate on his SUV.
The official governor's front license plate is different from the back plate, said press secretary Kim Murakawa.
The back plate is always "State 1." However, the front plate is a blue-and-red plate with white stars that says "State of Hawaii." But that's shown only if the governor is riding in the vehicle, Murakawa said.
When he's not in the vehicle, even if it's being driven, the front plate is covered, she said. That doesn't seem to make much sense, but she could offer no explanation, except that that's been the practice "at least since (the late Gov.) John Burns."
Auwe
To the driver of a blue Chevy truck. Thursday morning, Oct. 19, my daughter and I were heading to town on the H-1, by Leeward Community College in the carpool lane, when the truck cut us off. I had to brake suddenly. The tires were screeching and I just missed him by an inch. Then to find him violating the law: He was the only one in the truck and he drove all the way to town in the carpool lane. This kid should not be in a car. -- Jeanine
Mahalo
To Wilfred, a repairman at REM Hawaii Office Products Corp. His office is the authorized service center for my printer, which I purchased five months ago. I explained my problem. He told me it sounded like a part needed to be replaced. He told me to call the store where I purchased it to check whether the warranty would cover the $100 replacement part. The store said I would have to call the manufacturer. But before I called, Wilfred called me back and told me he called the manufacturer himself. He said to bring my printer down so he could put in the replacement part. Not only did he spare me from dealing with the manufacturer and save me money, he also repaired it within one hour. How's that for great customer service. Only in Hawaii! -- J.B.
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