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QUESTION: While reviewing my AARP homeowners insurance policy, I noted it offered a "retiree credit" and a "renewal credit." However, when I mentioned it to an AARP customer service representative, I was told that Hawaii was one of the few states that didn’t allow AARP to offer those credits to policyholders. Why would the state not be interested in helping residents save a couple of bucks on their insurance?
ANSWER: Don’t blame the state.
The Hartford insurance company, which provides auto and home insurance policies to AARP members, did not submit the credits for approval, according to Gordon Ito, the state’s insurance commissioner.
Insurers conducting business in Hawaii are required to file their rates and rules for approval by his office.
According to an official with AARP’s main office in Washington, D.C., states have different rating standards and requirements, so discount offers can vary across the country.
The Hawaii Insurance Division does not forbid the retiree discount, he said, but companies have to demonstrate through loss experience or expense savings that the discounts are warranted and that other classes are not arbitrarily subsidizing the rates in the discounted class.
Asked for a comment, Heather Serignese, director of external communications for The Hartford in Hartford, Conn., confirmed in an email, "We do not currently offer the retiree discount in Hawaii. As we do across the country, we will continue to evaluate our offerings and rates in Hawaii."
AUWE
To the young adults in a tan SUV that hit and killed a male mallard duck around 3:30 p.m. April 29 outside the Kahua Kuou campgrounds at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden. We heard screams and a commotion and saw a female passenger get back into the car, which sped away. My 4-year-old and I were there to witness the mallard take his last breath. Bright red blood was splattered on the pavement next to scattered brown, white and royal blue feathers. Another male mallard and female mallard stood by stunned. It was heartbreaking. Mahalo pauole to Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden staff Donna and Mike for responding quickly and removing the duck’s body from the road. Visiting Hoomaluhia is a privilege. I urge all visitors to add the garden’s emergency number to their cellphones so they can contact the office when situations like this arise. There are many pedestrians (including parents with children in strollers and on bicycles) who walk alongside cars on the narrow, winding roads at the garden. Drivers, please slow down and be considerate and respectful to all living creatures in the garden. — A mother and her 4-year-old
This is the first known incident of a duck being struck and killed by a motor vehicle at Hoomaluhia, said Michele Nekota, director of the city Department of Parks and Recreation.
"As Hoomaluhia is a popular recreational area that attracts visitors and residents alike, users are cautioned to drive safely and adhere to the 15 mph speed limit," she said.
Nekota said Hoomaluhia is home to many rare and endangered plant species as well as feral animals, including mallard ducks.
"Hoomaluhia staff will continue to inform visitors of the importance of public safety while at the garden," she said.
MAHALO
To the hardworking crew from the city Department of Facility Maintenance Road Division, led by Chad Maio and Lawrence Ojas, who immediately responded following a terrible windstorm earlier this year.
Two large trees fell on my roof in Kaneohe and filled the adjoining drainage ditch with a mountain of debris, threatening my house with additional damage and blocking access to the drainpipe. The stumps and branches were cleared away and the ruined safety chain-link fence replaced within days.
They were thoroughly professional and polite during the entire process. — Laura Myers
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