Beware the college-tuition-help scam

For many parents, the pressure is strong to get their child into college — and perhaps more so, to get any advice on how to afford ever-rising tuitions. So when a company like Las Vegas-based Right C3 LLC sends official-looking letters to homes with the child’s name, eager parents might easily think they’re being helped. Think again.

The Better Business Bureau of Hawaii has posted a “scam alert” on the company, based on Right C3’s mainland track record, which involves more than 80 complaints. Some parents paid up to $2,000 under contracts for services that were useless or were available elsewhere for free.

Buyer beware, as always. College is a learning experience, but it should not include costly lessons at the hands of scammers and schemers.

The greening of Hawaii, for now

Walking around Hawaii these days you might think you’re looking at things through green-colored glasses. That’s because it’s been raining here a lot lately, and virtually everywhere you look the scenery is bursting with healthy vegetation.

As Star-Advertiser reporter Timothy Hurley reported Monday, Hawaii is completely drought-free for the first time in 7-1/2 years, to the delight of farmers, ranchers and many others. Some flooding has been an unfortunate price to pay for some, but on balance the rain has been a welcome respite from low water levels and supplies. Let’s hope it lasts.