Question: There was a power outage on upper Kaamilo Street in Aiea on Sept. 18. A day before that, another lasted for four hours. A few days before that, there were two outages back-to-back. There seems to be something wrong with the system in our area, as there have been numerous outages … Can you look into this?
Answer: There is a history of wind-related electrical outages in your area. Telephone-pole replacement work is to continue today, weather permitting. If you did not receive a letter from Hawaiian Electric Co. notifying you of this work, your electricity should not be affected.
Peter Rosegg, a spokesman for HECO, explains: “The customer is correct that there has been an unfortunate recent history of wind-related outages in the area.
“Back in June our crews responded to a problem due to high winds and installed some temporary support for a badly leaning pole that was scheduled for replacement pending coordination with other utilities.
“The two recent outages one day after another again occurred during windy conditions while our crews were working to replace a wooden pole on the customer’s circuit. In the high wind, an electric line came into contact with another object, which caused the first outage. A similar incident occurred the following day while the crews continued to work in that area.
“The only thing more important to us than reliable service for our customers is the safety of those customers and our crews. Fortunately, no one was injured but we will be looking again at work procedures during windy conditions.
Pole-replacement work in the area is scheduled to continue today if weather permits. Customers have been notified by mail that this work will require us to turn off their power for as limited a time as possible, in keeping with safety. If the customer was not notified by letter, that customer’s power should not be affected.”
Q: Why has the Hawaii Seniors Fair at Neal Blaisdell Exhibition Hall not been identified as a site for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Prescription Drug Take-Back Day? Thousands of seniors will be attending over three days.
A: The DEA lists only the sites of its one-day, nationwide event; the senior fair is a separate event this weekend on Oahu. That said, you are absolutely correct that “The Good Life Expo” provides a prime opportunity for people to dispose of unwanted and expired prescription pills and tablets.
Admission is free to the fair, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 25-27). Drop off unwanted medication at Booth No. 504 in the exhibition hall. The collection site is sponsored by the state Department of the Attorney General, the state Department of Public Safety’s Narcotics Enforcement Division and the University of Hawaii-Hilo’s College of Pharmacy.
The disposal service is free and anonymous — no questions asked. Tablets, capsules and all other solid-dosage forms of medication will be accepted. Needles and syringes will not be accepted, regardless of whether they are new or used.
Meanwhile, the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with sites on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the island of Hawaii. Check 808ne.ws/1NkZMMS for the nearest dropoff location.
Auwe
With all the heavy rain recently, there are those who have no concern for other people. Auwe to the male motorist who drove fast through the intersection of Hobron Lane and Ala Moana Boulevard, drenching a pedestrian who was waiting to cross the street. The woman was left dripping from head to toe. I hope she lived nearby to change, as she looked like she may have been going to work in her nice outfit.
Mahalo
Mahalo to the kind gentleman who paid for our meal at the Chinese restaurant in Waipahu last month. The waitress said he has done it before for others. May he be blessed with good health and much happiness for being such a kind and giving person. — Two senior citizens from Ewa
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Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
