Question: Is that TMT hearing open to the public? I’ve heard conflicting information.
Answer: Yes. The contested case hearing regarding the proposed construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope atop Mauna Kea on Hawaii island is open to the public, said Dan Dennison, senior communications manager for the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The next hearing and conference on the matter is scheduled for Friday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Hawaii Community College cafeteria in Hilo; that’s a different location than last week’s hearing, by the way.
School is not in session, so campus parking should be plentiful, according to a notice from the state Board of Land and Natural Resources.
Friday’s proceedings will include a hearing (continued from last week) on pre-hearing motions and a third pre-hearing conference.
You mentioned hearing conflicting information. You may have referred to outdated information on the DLNR’s webpage, which states in one instance that there is no requirement that a contested case hearing be open to the public and that it had not yet been decided whether this contested case hearing would be open to the public.
However, as Dennison confirmed Wednesday, that information is outdated. The hearings in this contested case are in fact open.
Q: I went to a pharmacy to get a hepatitis A shot and was told I need a prescription from a doctor. Why would they tell me that when they are making a big deal about this outbreak and telling people to protect themselves?
A: You did not say which pharmacy you visited, so we can’t say for sure. However, we do know that pharmacies providing hepatitis A vaccinations have varying rules on whether an appointment and prescription are required, as well as the types of insurance coverage accepted.
The state Department of Health put together a list of drugstores and other retail pharmacies that are providing the hepatitis A vaccine to adults. The list includes the general rules at each outlet. There are numerous places where no prescription is required, according to the list, which you can see at 808ne.ws/29l6l7D.
Having a prescription likely would reduce your out-of-pocket costs, assuming that you have health insurance and that your insurer covers the hepatitis A vaccine, which is in high demand amid the current outbreak.
Without a prescription, the hepatitis vaccine can cost patients as much as $125; it is given as two shots administered six months apart.
The Health Department advises people who want to be vaccinated to contact their health care providers. If you don’t have a regular doctor or health insurance, call the Aloha United Way at 211.
As of Wednesday, 168 people in Hawaii had been infected with the liver disease, including 46 who had to be treated in the hospital, according to the Health Department.
Auwe
Auwe to motorists who take their sweet time exiting parking stalls — sitting in the driver’s seat texting, or idling with the car door open. They are totally oblivious that they are blocking a car from taking the open spot next to them. … Plus, it shouldn’t take 20 minutes to load a few bags in the trunk, buckle up the kids and vacate the stall for the next poor soul circling the parking lot. Please, think of others while shopping and running errands. Try to be efficient with your own time and the time of others. This happens so often I finally had to say something. — In and out
Mahalo
Mahalo to Shawn at the Premiere section of the Ward 16 Theatres complex. On July 12, when he saw that I was trying to balance a box of popcorn while walking with a cane, he immediately carried the popcorn and helped me all the way to my seat. He made sure I was safely seated before handing me back the popcorn. Ward Theatres is lucky to have such a fine young man working there. Mahalo, Shawn! I really appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness. God bless you! — A grateful senior who goes to the movies once a week
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.
