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Kokua Line
Question: Is it legal to make someone work eight hours without giving an official lunch break? I called the state Department of Labor and they said it's not required, but can you clarify this? Lunch break not
required by state lawAnswer: Lunch breaks are considered a "benefit" rather than a right under the state's labor law, unless you are a minor age 14 or 15, according to Russell Horikawa, intake and certification branch supervisor for the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
Only if you are 14 or 15 years old are employees required to give you a 30-minute break after five continuous hours of work, he said.
So unless the employer is bound by a labor union contract that spells out otherwise, he/she is not required to give you a meal or rest break.
If an employer does give such breaks, the state follows federal guidelines in its requirements, Horikawa said.
"If an employer gives you a meal break, it should be at least 30 minutes, free and clear. But that is unpaid time. Rest breaks, generally from five to 20 minutes, would be paid time."
Q: Regarding the item you had about a temporary electric line in Hawaii Kai: we have the same situation where we live. We have underground utilities. But there has been a line connected from 444 Lunalilo Home Road and continuing for 17 poles to past 610 Lunalilo Home Road for more than a year. I called the number, 548-7961, you mentioned. Hawaiian Electric Co. referred me to the city. The city said this was temporary and would not take the line down until Heco told them the damaged line was restored. Heco has not told them that so they don't want to take it down and leave us in darkness. I don't think this is temporary. I don't think the two sides should play ball back and forth and when you call you just get the runaround.
A: Believe it or not, like the Kokua Line question in December that prompted your query, the line is supposed to be temporary.
But although it's been up for more than a year, there is no target date on when it will be coming down, said Heco spokesman Fred Kobashikawa.
The line was put up after "we had problems with the underground electrical circuits in the area," he said.
"The problems affect residential customers and, for safety reasons, we're restoring the customers first before the street lights."
He said the work, for some unexplained reason, is taking longer than expected and "we are concerned about the inconvenience."
He said Heco and the city's Street Lighting Division are "working together to repair or replace the underground lines."
Mahalo
To crews of the City and County Sewer Division, Windward Unit. I had a major sewer problem beginning on Christmas Eve. By Dec. 29, everything had been investigated and repaired both quickly and efficiently. I could not have asked for better service. -- Grateful Old Lady from Kailua
Mahalo
On Dec. 17, I was in a motorcycle accident at the intersection of Kalanianaole Highway and Halemaumau Street. Mahalo much to the two beautiful women, one who held my neck in place and comforted me and the other who called for the ambulance. God bless you both because he has sure blessed me with two of you. Also, mahalo to Alan H. for taking care of the motorcycle and comforting my wife. -- David O.
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