Question: I have a friend’s daughter from the mainland wanting to do a month of volunteer work on Oahu for college credit. Are there websites that list volunteer opportunities on our island?
Answer: Yes, there are several websites that match Hawaii volunteers with specific areas of interest and causes that need support. As a short-term volunteer, your guest might have fewer options than a year-round resident, but with so many nonprofits needing volunteer labor and other resources, she’s sure to find something suitable.
Be sure that she double-checks with her college to ensure that she meets whatever requirements the educational institution imposes, in terms of hours contributed, for example.
Here are few sites:
>> 808ne.ws/uhservice is an A-to-Z directory of Hawaii groups that welcome volunteers, as compiled by the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Service Learning Program. Entries on this easy-to-read list link to the websites of the individual nonprofits and agencies, where you’ll find specifics about volunteering.
>> 808ne.ws/auwget-involved is a landing page for the Aloha United Way’s portal to a variety of volunteer opportunities. After reading the general information, click on the red “volunteer” tab at the bottom of the page to go to auw.galaxydigital.com, where specific volunteer gigs are listed (as well as some paying jobs in the nonprofit sector).
>> volunteermatch.org is a national site where you can narrow your search by city, cause and other filters. We found more than a dozen ongoing volunteer posts in Honolulu that promised flexible time commitments.
Q: What phone number can I call to report a nonworking street light?
A: Call 768-5300, which is the city’s street light repair section. If you get a voicemail, speak slowly and clearly, leave the exact address of the inoperable streetlight (or intersection if you do not know the address) and spell the street names.
Q: Regarding the cement pylons holding up the new rail system: Some have sculpted designs on them. Who designed them, and was it a local or mainland person?
A: The designs on the embossed columns are by local architect and designer Daniel “Danny” Kanekuni, who is senior vice president of WCIT Architecture, founded in Honolulu in 2000.
Kanekuni designed all the aesthetic columns along the rail transit route, said Bill Brennan, a spokesman for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation. “Each station will have a specific design that incorporates the history, culture, mo‘olelo (legends and stories), and wahi pana (storied places) of the surrounding community,” he said in an email.
Q: Why doesn’t Pizza Hut deliver to 888 Iwilei Road, a senior residence?
A: “This location is within the delivery area of our Li-liha Pizza Hut restaurant. However, in recent months this area has become increasingly unsafe. We have also experienced an uptick in fraudulent orders in the area. Safety is a top priority at TD Food Group, and as such we felt it necessary to stop delivery to this area,” said Leah Allen, marketing director of TD Food Group Inc., which owns and operates Pizza Hut and Taco Bell restaurants in Hawaii, Guam and Saipan.
Auwe
Somebody stole a set of three holiday spotlights and an extension cord from our front yard in the Ka Makana neighborhood of Hoakalei. It is very disappointing that either some kids playing pranks or another person would do something like this. The cost, which was only $29, is not the point (get your own!). The point is that this act is not in the spirit of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or aloha! — W.K.
Mahalo
Mahalo to the Safeway staff at Kapahulu on Thanksgiving for looking after my husband, who tripped and fell. Mahalo to the lady shopper and children who phoned for the EMS. Mahalo to the Straub ER staff and doctors who took care of him. We, as Canadians, thank you for all your help and concern. — Grateful readers
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.
