Question: I am 90 years old and visit Hawaii every six months to see my 65-year-old son, who is a quadriplegic. However, I cannot take him to Iolani Palace, which he very much wants to visit, because for a year and a half the wheelchair lift has been out of order. I’m coming again in September and the palace website says the lift is still out of order. I hope that by next month the state can fix the lift for my son and everyone else who is unable to negotiate the six stairs to enter the palace. Considering the high price of the tickets, I do hope that they will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act soon. My son was born in Hawaii but is not able to enjoy Kamaaina Sundays at the palace.
Answer: Unfortunately, the lift will not be available for your visit next month, nor for at least another year.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks is responsible for providing public access to Iolani Palace and the adjacent Hale Koa (Iolani Barracks) buildings.
Officials apologized for the lack of access to the interior of the palace for people using wheelchairs and other powered mobility devices, saying maintaining a safe and operational incline lift has proved difficult and expensive.
"It is our hope that construction (of a new lift) will be completed in late 2015," said DLNR spokeswoman Deborah Ward.
"Numerous attempts to repair the outmoded lift, which was not designed for such a volume of use, did result in short-lived success," she said. "However that lasted only a few round trips, before breaking down. The decision to replace the incline lift was then made."
The state Legislature appropriated $150,000 for the design and construction of a new lift.
Design is underway, with discussions and coordination involving the State Historic Preservation Division and the Friends of Iolani Palace, Ward said.
There is an "alternate tour" for those unable to get into the palace, but it requires advance notice.
Visitors may watch a video in Hale Koa Barracks, while a grounds tour is offered by the Friends of Iolani Palace.
The Friends also offers a "feel the palace" experience with the help of a guide, Ward said. However, these are special requests that must be made in advance.
Question: Is any investigation being conducted to see whether there were any violations of price gouging during Hurricane Iselle and Hurricane Julio? Were companies raising prices on items like bottled waters, batteries, flashlights, generators, etc. during the storms?
Answer: The state Office of Consumer Protection received 103 reports of alleged price gouging through various sources after Gov. Neil Abercrombie issued his emergency proclamation in advance of Hurricanes Iselle and Julio, said OCP Executive Director Bruce Kim.
"OCP is actively reviewing these reports" and is not ready yet to comment on its findings, he said.
However, Kim did say that the majority of complaints appears to involve the price of bottled water.
Abercrombie’s statewide disaster proclamation triggered statutory price caps on all commodities being sold. That meant the prices of food, water, ice, gasoline, cooking fuel, batteries, generators, etc. could not be increased from what they were pre-emergency.
If you think you were the victim of price gouging, you need to show a receipt or other record of sale. Complaints can be filed online at cca.hawaii.gov/ocp; by emailing ocp@dcca.hawaii.gov; or by calling 587-4272 or 587-3295 on Oahu.
Mahalo
To a kind lady bus driver. I took the Liliha bus on a Sunday to the busy downtown area. Lots of elderly people with canes carrying heavy grocery bags struggled to climb into the bus. The driver greeted each one with "aloha," telling them to "take your time." Their job is stressful because they are on a schedule, so many drivers are short-tempered. This driver sharing patience and compassion touched my heart. She showed the true aloha spirit. — Baby Boomer Getting There
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