Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: I got a call at precisely 6:43 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 4. It was a recording from Americast/Verizon, saying, "Hi, this is Sue calling to let you know that Americast will be participating in the Starz! free preview weekend ..." I was furious they called me so early. I later called the number they left and the customer service guy said a lot of people called to complain. But they didn't tell me why this happened. Are there any laws that prevent telemarketers from calling me at certain hours? That call alone will prevent me from subscribing to any additional services Americast and Verizon offers. Americast/Verizon wake-up
call not appreciated at allAnswer: The Federal Trade Commission monitors the activities of telemarketers, including restricting their calls to between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
But the calls are said to have been a mistake and those inconvenienced will be given free access to Starz! premium cable channels for one month.
Starz!, based in St. Louis, Mo., had contracted with an outside company to inform customers about the free preview weekend this weekend on the Americast cable TV network, said Verizon Hawaii spokeswoman Ann Nishida.
"That company apparently wasn't clear that the calls would be going to Hawaii (at that time) and the time difference was not noted," Nishida said. As a result, 3,000 Verizon customers were called between 6 and 9 a.m. Thursday.
"As soon as we were made aware of what was happening, we called the company and had the calls stopped," she said. "Starz! is working on a letter of apology to all 3,000 customers who were called between 6 and 9."
That letter will also notify them that Starz! will be providing them with free access to eight premium channels for 30 days, a value of $11.95, Nishida said.
Although it's moot since Starz! admits the error of calling too early, Nishida noted that your unwanted wake-up call technically may not be considered telemarketing because you weren't being asked to buy a product or service. However, she acknowledged that may be splitting hairs at this point.
Meanwhile, if the calls had gone out next month, Verizon wouldn't be answering this complaint.
It is selling Americast to Craig Broadcasting, a sale which is expected to be completed at the end of this month, Nishida said.
Q: I have noticed for the past few weeks police officers stationed at intersections from the start of Kalanianaole Highway fronting Kalani High school to Aina Haina Shopping Center during the afternoon rush hours. Why? They do not seem to be directing traffic.
A: They're part of the Honolulu Police Department's recently-instituted "traffic management" efforts, said spokeswoman Michelle Yu.
"They're there to facilitate traffic flow during peak morning and afternoon hours," she said. For the most part, they're there as observers, but will act as the need arises if there are stalls or accidents.
The officers are assigned to various parts of the island. "It's up to each district to decide where," Yu said, noting they'll usually be at the known ""hot spots"."
Auwe
To the driver of a Toyota van who had the nerve to get out of the line of cars waiting to get into Kalani High School on Wednesday, Sept. 26, and get ahead by crossing the intersection. The rest of us were stopped so as not to block the intersection. We were waiting just as long as you were. Jumping ahead of a few cars did not get you there any faster. You're the kind of person who creates road rage! -- One in Line
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