QUESTION: We had a birthday party scheduled at Leapin' Lizards in Halawa Valley in December. In order to hold the date, we were asked to put down a $75 deposit. Less than two weeks before the party, we were informed they were closing down and did not know when deposits would be returned. To this date we have not received our deposit, nor have we received any communication from the owner. Do we have any recourse? We filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau but were told that the complaint letter was returned undeliverable.

ANSWER: We called the number listed for Leapin' Lizards and heard a message saying the business had relocated to 94-538 Puahi St. in Waipio.

Owner Laura McVaney returned our call on Wednesday, saying she had just reopened in the new location and asked you and other customers to call her at 485-5227.

She explained that the building Leapin' Lizards occupied in Halawa had been sold and that she was put on a month-to-month lease. Unexpectedly, McVaney said, the new owners moved into the building in December, forcing her to immediately shut down despite bookings throughout that month.

“;We contacted our customers and told them they would get their deposits back, and we intend to honor that,”; she said.

However, she said, “;It's taken us this long to get into a new location with a wing and a prayer.”;

McVaney said she appreciates her loyal customers and hopes they will stick with her as she tries to rebuild her business.

She said customers who had parties planned for the first weekend in December will be offered free parties, while those who booked after that will be offered a doubling of their deposit or a return of the $75 deposit.

The new facility is smaller but in a residential area, and “;we're really excited about it,”; McVaney said. “;Right now we're really fighting to get our customer base back and make it affordable.”;

QUESTION: What is the law regarding transporting objects longer than a motor vehicle? I've seen far too many people carrying surf ski/canoes on top of their vehicles, where they extend well past the rear of the vehicle, without any warning red flags.

ANSWER: If an object is protruding 4 feet or more from the rear of the bed or body of a vehicle, then there has to be a red flag, cloth or light attached to the end of the object.

The situation is covered under Section 291-28 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, “;Lights for loads.”;

It says that any material that extends 4 feet or more beyond the bed or body of a vehicle has to have a red light displayed “;at the extreme end of the load”; that is “;plainly visible under ordinary atmospheric conditions at least two hundred feet from the rear.”;

Basically, that means at night or in darkness, the Honolulu Police Department previously told “;Kokua Line.”;

At all other times, when the vehicle is traveling on a public highway, a red flag or cloth at least 16 inches square has to be displayed at the “;extreme rear of the load.”;

MAHALO

To the woman who gave me a wonderful Valentine's Day present. I was selling newspapers near Market City on Sunday. She gave me $20 for a paper and told me to keep the change. I did not get the license number of your car, but I will never forget you.—No Name