Question: Auwe! I left something at the airport and when I called TSA they never called me back. I guess it doesn’t matter to them unless it’s right in their bin.
Answer: We converted your complaint into a question to clarify. There are multiple “lost and found” centers at the Honolulu airport, and which one to contact depends on where you believe you lost the item.
If you left something behind while going through a Transportation Security Administration security checkpoint, you should indeed contact the TSA. The same is true if something is missing from a bag you checked. The phone number to the TSA at the Honolulu airport is 831-2312.
If you call, leave your name, contact number, a description of the lost item, the airline you flew and your departure date.
For TSA lost-and-found contacts at other airports, go to 808ne.ws/tsalost and enter the airport name or code in the search field.
“Items left behind at TSA security checkpoints are held by TSA for a minimum of 30 days or until the item is reunited with the original owner,” according to the website.
You may return to the airport to retrieve the item, or approve someone else to do so, as long as you give permission in writing. The TSA also will mail the item back to you, at your expense.
If you lost something elsewhere at the Honolulu airport — in the terminal but not specifically the security line — you should contact the airport’s general lost and found office. It’s open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 836-6683 or go in person. The office is located on the ground level of the terminal 2 parking garage opposite terminal 2, according to the airport’s website.
We’ll add that any passenger who leaves something on the plane itself should contact the airline directly, although that’s not what happened in your case.
Q: How do they decide which schools get the flu shots?
A: On the neighbor islands, the decision is based on access to health care. Therefore, the Stop Flu at School influenza vaccination clinics are offered to all elementary and intermediate public schools in Kauai, Maui and Hawaii counties, according to the state Department of Health. On Oahu, the decision is based on whether a public school has a high percentage of lower-income students, so the number of schools is limited. For a list of locations and dates on all islands, see bit.ly/2Rd9aZN. The free vaccination program is not offered at private schools.
Auwe
Auwe to drivers who refuse to turn their headlights on and not the parking lights (indicator lights). Lights are so we may see the automobile coming. Use them even if it seems that they are not needed. The same goes for the signal lights which indicates which direction you are going. It is not for the driver of the car but people around you. — A reader
Mahalo
I would like to thank someone who helped me at Costco on Monday. I forgot my purse in the cart. I left. When I realized my mistake, I returned. There was another customer, a lady, waiting there with my purse. In my happiness, I forgot to ask her name or thank her properly. I would like to do so now. Many thanks to this kind shopper. — Grateful senior
Mahalo
A big mahalo to the gentleman leaving Macy’s at Ala Moana Center, who assisted me with backing out my car. I had literally parked less than half an inch from a post, and without some assistance could not back my car out without scraping its side. He very generously took the time to guide me out. As I was rather flustered, I thanked him and drove off without getting his name and offering something for his time and effort. I will definitely pay this one forward! — G.E.
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.
