Pineapples officially lack free pass on most airlines

Question: Every time I visited family and friends on the mainland, I’d bring a case of pineapples with me as “omiyage” (gifts). These pineapples would be checked in with my luggage at no extra charge. One airline rep told me years ago that pineapples were exempt of baggage fees, due to an agreement between the airlines and the Hawaii Visitors Bureau. But recently I packed a case of pineapples for a niece to take home to Vancouver, B.C., and the Air Canada reps wouldn’t accept the box without my niece paying $25. I reminded the agents about pineapples being exempt from charges, but they denied any knowledge of this rule. We traveled to the East Coast last December and again in March on two different carriers, and my husband and I checked in a case of pineapples each for free. We usually fly Delta, American or United. Has there been a change to this bit of aloha spirit for traveling locals to share on the mainland?

Answer: There is no such official or even nonofficial “pineapple exemption” agreement we could find, although some airlines do allow free check-in of the fresh fruit.

Longtime employees of the Hawai‘i Visitors and Convention Bureau and its predecessor, the Hawaii Visitors Bureau, did not know of any such exemption or agreement, said HVCB spokeswoman Darlene Morikawa.

A spokeswoman for United Airlines indicated the exemption may have been offered in the past, but she said it no longer is offered by United.

However, a spokesman for American Airlines says it “allows customers traveling out of Hawaii to bring one box/bag of fruit or one box/bag of flowers onboard, in addition to their normal checked bag allowance.” For free.

We also asked Delta Airlines about any “pineapple exemption” but did not get a call back with a response. The employee we relayed the question to didn’t know anything about such a rule.

For travel between Hawaii and the continental U.S., Hawaiian Airlines allows one prepackaged box of papayas or pineapples (pre-agriculturally inspected) per passenger, not to exceed 10 pounds, to be checked in for free, a spokesman said.

So count yourself lucky if you have been allowed to check in your pineapples without any charge, but it’s best to check with each carrier first about its policy.

Question: A water main broke either in late March or early April at Hianakiu and Waipahu streets. I called the city and all I hear is excuses. The problem is that the area that was dug up has a temporary fix with many uneven surfaces. Driving over the area rocks my car to the left and right. According to the Board of Water Supply, it will be permanently resurfaced. But why is it taking five months to do this?

Answer: The delay in resurfacing was due to an “oversight” and, thanks to your complaint, the road should be restored this week.

BWS crews repaired a leak on a 12-inch water main at the intersection of Hianakiu and Waipahu streets on April 7, putting in a temporary patch, explained spokeswoman Tracy Burgo.

“Unfortunately, due to an oversight, the BWS did not convey the follow-up order for the final patch to the contractor in as timely a manner as we should have,” she said. The final patch is scheduled to be completed this week.

She said BWS will periodically check on the patch and maintain it until the permanent work is completed and apologized for the inconvenience.

Auwe

To the callous person who stole my sister’s black backpack (which included important legal documents and identification) from her workplace while she was working at the Kamehameha Shopping Center. You have caused a tremendous amount of hardship to a person who is working very hard and sacrificing to get by in life. — M. West/Kalihi

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