Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Repairs bring heat back to Kailua pool

Question: Why does the pool heater at the Kailua Recreational Center break down every winter? I've used the pool for exercise or therapy for more than 10 years, and it never fails to malfunction. Last year, after many weeks, we complained to the Mayor's Office. A new heater, after much delay, was installed. After barely being used, that new heater broke down. What's going on? Is there a warranty? Would turning the heater on intermittently during the entire year keep the parts movable? The pool is greatly used by the aged and infirm. This might be our only source of exercise, but is much too cold to use.

Answer: You've probably been able to enjoy the warmer waters recently because the heater has since been repaired.

And, although the heater normally would be shut off at the end of February, because of the continuing "unusually cold winter," the city Department of Parks and Recreation says it will keep the heat on until mid-March.

The heater in question was installed in August. It began malfunctioning in November, at which point "the vendor worked on identifying the problem," said Dana Takahara-Dias, deputy parks director.

Replacement parts had to be ordered, and in mid-February, just after you contacted us, the pilot light mechanism was replaced and the heater made "fully operational," she said.

The heater remains under warranty.

The pool normally is heated from November through February, with the heater turned on for four hours per day or until the water temperature reaches 78 degrees.

Takahara-Dias explained, "For maintenance purposes, the heater is turned on intermittently throughout the year to ensure the system is operational."

Last year, heating a pool cost approximately $4,000 a month, she said. Ten of the city's 21 pools are heated, and all 10 will remain heated through the next few weeks.

Q: Who do I report price gouging on prescription drugs to? I recently tried to fill a prescription for 0.5 mg of the drug Lorazepam at a pharmacy and was quoted a price of $28 for 30 pills. At Costco, 90 pills cost only $8.29. Is there any agency in the state that monitors price gouging? Since this pharmacy is licensed by the state, shouldn't they also be monitored by the state?

A: The state Regulated Industries Complaints Office does oversee the pharmacy licensing law in Hawaii, but there is nothing in the law that controls drug pricing, an official said.

It is up to you, as a consumer, to shop around to find the best price. You might feel the pharmacy's price is excessive, but it is not necessarily price gouging, which is defined by one source as "pricing above the market when no alternative retailer is available."

It generally comes into play when demand is high for scarce items during an emergency. Hawaii is one of 28 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, that prohibits price gouging in times of natural disaster.