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Kokua Line June Watanabe |
Few options are available
to keep unwanted mail outQuestion: How do we stop Hawaii's junk mail? We're homeowners whose name and address are in the property records. We constantly receive unsolicited mail from local mortgage companies, home-improvement businesses and charities. We've already filed our mail preferences with the Direct Marketing Association and other national organizations but that doesn't seem to be helping at the local level. We write to each individual firm but it's a colossal chore to chase down all the new ones, and some of them still keep sending annual mailings every year. Are there any Hawaii laws affecting unsolicited mail? Is there any way to block access to our property records or to add us to a Hawaii "do not mail" list?
Answer: There is no law restricting the sending of unsolicited mail or advertising, although there are proposals to regulate junk e-mail.
There also is no way for you to block public access to real property tax assessment records.
According to the city Corporation Counsel's Office, real property tax information is subject to disclosure under the Uniform Information Practices Act (Chapter 92F of the Hawaii Revised Statutes).
The real property tax system relies on an assessment process that includes public notice and an opportunity to appeal, a spokeswoman said. Access to records is considered critical in comparing lots as part of the appeal.
Also, open records "ensure equal application of the tax laws to all citizens," she said.
Meanwhile, there is no central point to contact to try to stop the flow of unwanted mail generated locally. Although a few local businesses may belong to the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), most do not, so contacting it will not affect unsolicited mail from within the state.
Also, the DMA warns that asking to be deleted from its members' mailing lists will not affect mailings from charities or businesses who choose not to use the DMA's Mail Preference Service, professional and alumni associations, political candidates and mail addressed to "occupant" or "resident."
You will continue to receive mail from companies with which you do business and from charitable or commercial organizations that do not choose to use the Mail Preference Service.
However, you can stop unsolicited sexually oriented advertising by filling out a form with the U.S. Postal Service.
Customers can either apply to have a prohibitory order against a specific mailer who advertises "erotically arousing or sexually provocative" products or to be placed on a postal service list of customers who don't want to receive mailings in general of erotic or sexually oriented advertising, according to Lynne Moore, manager of consumer affairs for the U.S. Postal Service in Hawaii.
Just ask for PS Form 1500 from your local post office, she said.
What action can you take to reduce the number of unsolicited mail? You're already doing it by contacting the companies directly.
The Better Business Bureau of Hawaii advises calling local companies to have your name removed from their mailing lists.
It also says you can minimize the volume of junk mail by thinking about the consequences when you are asked to give your name and other personal information.
The BBB says you should consider what happens when you put your name into a free drawing box at trade shows or other events. Ask what happens to entry slips after the winner is picked.
Think about what happens when you complete surveys/warranty slips that are included with purchases, or when you buy a magazine subscription because it costs less as opposed to buying magazines off the rack.
The information on the surveys or warranty slips that you fill out may be sold as part of marketing/sales leads lists, while your name and information may be sold to subsidize the cost of the magazine subscription, according to the BBB.
There's nothing to prevent that.
Another alternative for getting your names off the lists: Ask companies that you do business with not to make your name available to other marketers for commercial purposes.
That way, you can still receive mail from companies you like but reduce other related mail offers.
Q: The median strip on Vineyard Boulevard between Punchbowl Street and Pali Highway is an absolute disgrace. Weeds are chest high and rubbish abounds. Even when the work is completed, it's a sloppy job which only exacerbates the situation. This nice part of Honolulu looks like a junkyard. Who's responsible?
A: The state Department of Transportation says that part of the median had been maintained as part of a city beautification project, but was turned back to state jurisdiction last month.
Unfortunately, state crews did not get word of the transfer, so they didn't maintain that part of Vineyard, according to DOT spokesman Scott Ishikawa.
Now that the apparent "mix-up in jurisdiction" has been cleared, he said state landscapers will clean up the area this week.
He thanked you for bringing it to the department's attention.
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Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
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