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Kokua Line
Question: In mid-summer of 1999, I entered an International Open Amateur Photography Contest held by the International Library of Photography in Maryland. On Jan. 19, 2000, I received a letter stating I was a semi-finalist in the children's category and that my photo would be published in the forthcoming "Warm Embraces," a hardbound publication that would become available in Fall 2000 and that I would be able to order and receive a copy before it was sold to the public. I immediately ordered a copy and $77.95 was charged to my credit card on Feb. 21, 2000. September came, no publication received. I've written and called with no success. Can you tell me how or who I might be able to talk to to get some answers -- either receive my copy of the book or a refund? Photography book
paid for, not receivedAnswer: We suggest working through the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland.
According to that bureau, the company has been a voluntary member since May 1997 and has a satisfactory record of resolving complaints.
"Any complaints processed by the bureau in its three-year reporting period have been resolved," according to the BBB of Greater Maryland.
The company is part of the BBB's Membership Identification Program and has agreed to use special complaint-handling procedures, including mediation and arbitration if necessary to resolve disputes.
You can call the bureau at 1-900-225-1222. However, that bureau charges for such calls, at 95 cents a minute. You can get a copy of its complaint form, however, by going online at www.baltimore.bbb.org; writing to the BBB of Greater Maryland, 2100 Huntingdon Ave., Baltimore, MD 21211-3215; or faxing a letter to 410-347-3936.
Q: It happened again last Saturday. Or, rather, it didn't happen. Will you ask KFVE why they didn't show the half-time ceremonies during the UH-Rice basketball game at the Stan Sheriff Center, when they inducted three new people into the UH's Circle of Honor? This is not the first time. For several years, they've never shown the half-time ceremonies.
A: Although the actual live ceremony was not covered due to the constraints of programming, the station did acknowledge and honor the inductees at the end of the half-time period, said John Fink, KFVE's vice president/general manager.
The station tries to work in conjunction with the UH for such events, but "we always have things to do," including news updates, half-time statistics and game commentary.
The station does cover pre-game and half-time activities at various sporting events, "but it really is on a case-by-case basis," Fink said.
Last Saturday, although not live, the station did show footage of the Circle of Honor ceremony at the end of the half-time period, with "Jim Leahey voicing over some of the nice accomplishments" of the inductees, he said.
Former football players Don Botelho and Jesse Sapolu, and former volleyball player Joyce Kaapuni are among 57 athletes representing five UH teams inducted into the Circle of Honor.
Mahalo
To the person who turned in my debit card left in the Otto Machine at Honolulu Airport's interisland terminal. It is heartening to know there are such honest people. -- Marjorie Ziegler
Mahalo
To Michelle Arakawa for finding and returning my stolen wallet on Friday, Jan. 19. You're a real lifesaver. -- Christine
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