Question: On Sunday morning, April 6, a speeding vehicle hit a pole on our street next to the KEY Project in Kahaluu. Only electrical wires were holding the pole upright, or surely it would have fallen into the traffic! On top of that, the transformer blew up. Is the driver of the vehicle liable for damage and replacement of the pole and labor expenses? He didn’t stop, but his license plate was left at the scene. Also, a bystander got a description of the vehicle and called 911. My family is grateful for the work done by the Hawaiian Electric crew and everyone involved. It was a long day. They left the site at about 9 p.m. The weather was cold, windy and rainy. They returned the next morning, finishing the work at 4 a.m. Much mahalo to everyone who made it possible to have our electricity back on.
Answer: Hawaiian Electric will pursue repair costs from those responsible for damaging utility facilities, whether by car or other acts, said spokesman Peter Rosegg.
It helps that key evidence was left at the scene and that a bystander was able to provide information.
Depending on how much equipment is on the damaged pole, repairs can start at $5,000, Rosegg said.
Question: Hawaiian Airlines is rolling out a new MasterCard, and the mailing I received with the MasterCard states that the old Visa card should be destroyed. However, I received an email saying I can continue to use the Visa card and earn Hawaiian miles on that card. So it’s very confusing. I’ve called Hawaiian Airlines. However, they connected me with their call center in Manila, which knew nothing about the email that I received. I haven’t been able to find anyone at Hawaiian to give me an adequate answer: Should the Visa card be destroyed and the MasterCard used, or can both cards be used and applied to the Hawaiian miles?
Answer: You should continue to use your current Hawaiian Airlines Visa card as long as it is valid, which is only until next week, when the new MasterCard takes effect, said Hawaiian Air spokesman Huy Vo.
"Activation of the new Hawaiian Airlines MasterCard can be done on or after April 28, but on April 28 the Hawaiian Airlines Visa card will no longer be valid for use," Vo said.
Cardholders were sent a postcard mailer advising their new MasterCard was coming soon, along with the steps they needed to take to activate their new card, he explained.
Cardholders are advised to activate their new cards on or after April 28 at midnight Hawaii Standard Time by going to HawaiianBOH-card.com or by calling 866-250-2918.
You are advised to destroy the old Visa card at that time.
"Other communications that went out to cardholders were reminders that their new card is coming, that activation date starts on April 28, and that until then (before April 28) they should continue using their current Hawaiian Airlines Visa card," Vo said.
Mahalo
To four young men. We were staying at the Hawaiian Princess in Waianae in March when I saw a woman get knocked down by waves on the beach and get caught in the rip current. My boyfriend ran in to pull her out, but he couldn’t hold on to her. On his third run back into the water, the four young men ran up from down the beach and rushed in to help. All five were able to bring her onto the beach, but the four men were gone before anyone could thank them. They all helped to save that woman’s life. A man pulled out of the water on the same beach just a few hours later was not so lucky. On behalf of that woman, my boyfriend and myself, a heartfelt thanks. I am so grateful you noticed we needed help and had the courage to rush in to help save a stranger. You are all heroes. — Kim Gervais, British Columbia
Mahalo
To Max of Akamai Roofing, who came to our rescue back in March when we had a flat tire and parked in the FedEx Kinko’s parking lot. We are grateful that he immediately changed the tire, making it less of an ordeal for us. — Bill and Millie
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 email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
