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Question: In December 2008 my computer board burned out because of an islandwide power failure. Supposedly there could be coverage on it, so I sent in the appropriate information. I have checked on this several times, the last time on Dec. 8. I was told this issue was still before the Public Utilities Commission. Why is it taking so long for them to make a decision? Even if the decision is zero, I’d like to know it.
Answer: "We are hoping to have a PUC decision soon," said Peter Rosegg, spokesman for Hawaiian Electric Co.
Once that happens, HECO will make its determination on the 700 or so claims related to the 2008 outage.
"We appreciate the patience of all those waiting for these claims to be finalized," Rosegg said.
Asked what the PUC’s role is, Rosegg said "they analyze the whole event," looking into the cause, whether the outage was avoidable, whether the response was adequate, etc.
The PUC also wants to see whether there are "steps which would avoid a repetition or to improve the response or restoration in the future," he said. Also, the "consumer advocate weighs in."
In trying to explain the time it is taking the PUC, Rosegg said, "in fairness," the PUC has had to deal with "an unusually large number of issues," related not only to energy, but also telecommunications, interisland transport and other matters, while dealing with a limited staff and furloughs.
You can call 543-4624 for an update on the claim.
Question: We just received our new telephone books and would like to know how to dispose of the old ones. This is a big problem because we live in a condo in the Punahou area and the books are piling up.
Answer: You can recycle Hawaiian Telcom directories, or any other company’s phone directories, during a "Think Yellow, Go Green" recycling program on five consecutive weekends beginning Friday.
Directories can be dropped off 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays to Sundays through Feb. 20 at Ward Centers, next to the Trolley Stop on Auahi Street; Windward Mall, at the corner of the parking lot between Macy’s and Sears; Town Center of Mililani, behind Consolidated Theaters; and Kahala Mall, next to the Trolley Stop across from Macy’s.
Those with a large number of directories can arrange for drop-off at the Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages warehouse in Mapunapuna. Contact Marlene Sizemore at 937-296-4724 or e-mail marlene.sizemore@theberrycompany.com.
For more information, go to www.thinkyellowgogreen.com/locations.aspx?region=3.
Island Shell LLC will process the old directories into "environmentally safe products," such as materials for vehicle oil-change kits, mulch and wall insulation products, for use locally.
Auwe
To the fisherman at Kailua Beach on or about Dec. 28 who did not dispose of his spent equipment properly. While walking my dog — on his leash — he quickly lapped up some discarded bait, still attached to line, weight and hooks carelessly left in the sand. The hook became lodged deeply in Abe’s lip, and we were unable to extract it. His whines and whimpers were heartbreaking. Luckily, he survived the ordeal. A call to all fishermen: Kailua Beach is a beautiful place for us all to enjoy. Please think of others and clean up your hooks, line and dangerous materials so that innocent creatures — dogs, birds, children or adults — are not needlessly hurt. — Kelly Blanchard
Write to "Kokua Line" at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or e-mail kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
