Question: A few months ago I saw an article about airlines significantly reducing the size of carry-on luggage. Is there any time frame for this implementation?
Answer: No. The International Air Transport Association’s proposal inspired so many objections that the trade group scrapped the idea barely a week after announcing it in June. Officially, the trade group, which represents some 260 airlines worldwide, “paused” the Cabin OK downsizing initiative for a “comprehensive reassessment in light of concerns expressed, primarily in North America.” There has been no visible effort to revive the plan, which would have shaved 3.5 linear inches from the dimensions of “optimal” carry-on bags promoted by the association.
Double-check with your carrier prior to traveling, but in general, major U.S. airlines, including American, Delta, Hawaiian and United, continue to accept carry-on bags with these maximum dimensions: 22 inches tall, 14 inches wide and 9 inches deep, including handles and wheels.
Q: Regarding the Kakaako homeless situation, who is paying for the cost of the generators and the electricity that the homeless are using for their TVs and boomboxes?
A: We visited the sprawling encampment near Kakaako Waterfront Park to speak to homeless people about their living conditions. We posed your question separately to several individuals. Each said that homeless people buy the generators themselves, and pointed out that the equipment typically is powered by gasoline, not by electricity.
Portable, gas-powered generators cost from roughly $200 to more than $1,000, according to websites of various home-supply chains with stores on Oahu. The gasoline to operate them runs a few dollars a gallon.
Many homeless people in Kakaako have some limited source of regular income, including from government disability checks, working part-time jobs or recycling bottles and cans. One man we spoke to said he and his wife saved for several months to purchase a generator. Another woman said she and her three children used to have one, which she purchased, but that it was stolen from the encampment after her male partner was jailed on drug-dealing charges. These anecdotes bolster other recent news reports about how people manage to survive on the streets.
A spokesman for Hawaiian Electric Co. confirmed that utility-grade electricity is not powering the Kakaako camp. “Hawaiian Electric is not involved in supplying generators, fuel or electricity in the vicinity of the homeless encampment,” said spokesman Peter Rosegg. “We investigate if we have reason to believe someone is taking power from the grid without an account. We are not aware of such activity.”
If someone was taking power from a HECO customer without permission, it would show up as a larger-than-usual bill with no other explanation for the sudden increase, he noted.
Customers with questions about their bills may call customer service at 548-7311.
Auwe
Auwe to the many drivers from a condominium on Piikoi Street who ignore the large arrow on its driveway directing left turns only and instead speed across five lanes of Piikoi Street to get to Makaloa Street. This endangers pedestrians in the crosswalk who do not expect cars coming from that direction, as well as endangering cars heading mauka on Piikoi Street. There are drivers who also dash from Makaloa Street to the condominium’s driveway. This is very dangerous.
Mahalo
While driving on Kahekili Highway, my right rear tire exploded. I immediately pulled over, and a big black truck that had been behind me pulled in front. The driver introduced himself and assured me he was there to help. The handle to my jack was missing, so he had to improvise, which took more time. What a blessing he was to me that day. Mahalo. — A grateful Kahana Valley kupuna
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.
