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Kapiolani fund drive
led to gecko art

Question: Has it been made public knowledge how much the gecko statues around Waikiki cost? Who footed the bill for that? Taxpayers? I certainly hope not. There are many other areas where the city could spend its money.

Answer: It did not cost taxpayers anything to create those "Geckos in Paradise."

The nonprofit Kapiolani Health Foundation launched a fund-raiser last year, in conjunction with Breast Awareness Month in October, to create 50 5-foot-long fiberglass-polyester geckos and place them around downtown Honolulu and Waikiki.

The goal was to raise money for the Kapiolani Breast Center by selling sponsorships, beginning at $5,000 each, explained Stacey Acma, special events coordinator for Kapiolani.

Local artist Rochelle Lum created the master mold for the geckos.

Then, "We did a call to artists in the community, and the artists donated their time and talent" in creating more than 250 designs to personalize each gecko, Acma said. They were reimbursed only for supplies and materials.

The fund-raiser met its goal of $250,000 to pay for equipment, training and patient care, Acma said. "One hundred percent of the proceeds went directly to the Kapiolani Breast Center."

The geckos went on public display, by special city permits, on both public and private properties for a specified length of time.

"After the permits expired, the sponsors then owned the geckos," Acma said.

You might still see geckos around town because some owners have decided to continue their display. Meanwhile, Acma said "quite a few" groups or companies that sponsored a gecko donated them to other organizations.

Q: In 1998 my wife and I purchased a prepaid funeral plan in Hawaii since we had settled in retirement and intended to spend the rest of our lives here. The cost was $3,449.98. However, with the state of our income, we have to contemplate moving to an area where our income can match our expenses. Although the cost was paid in full at the inception and has had no added expenses, we find out that it will cost 30 percent of the cost to cancel the plan. There is nothing in writing to indicate that more than $1,000 would be forfeited upon cancellation. This seems rather exorbitant a fee, but is it customary in the funeral business even though they had the use of this money for seven years? If so, so be it. Live and learn.

A: Under current Hawaii law, it is "live and learn" for you and your wife.

The law allows funeral operators to keep 30 percent of whatever was prepaid if the plan is canceled, or 100 percent if there is a default in payments.

Funeral operators argue that the 30 percent is needed to cover their costs.

At last check, state lawmakers were still considering Senate Bill 60, which would set new regulations for prepaid funeral plans, but were grappling with the issue of balancing the rights and needs of both consumers and the industry.

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