Question: I’ve been a volunteer teacher of Vietnamese language for young kids at Makiki District Park since April 2010. I registered as a nonprofit organization so I would not be charged a fee for using the room once a week for two hours. In December I tried to renew the monthly permit, and I was told that I had to pay $15 an hour or shut down my class. I did not receive any public notice. As a volunteer I do not collect a penny from the kids. The parents work hard and spend extra time bringing their children to the class. For the community this is a healthy activity, and it should not be charged any fees. When did this policy start? Is there any exception for a nonprofit organization?

Answer: According to the city Department of Parks and Recreation, you should have been charged the fee from the beginning, and it doesn’t matter if a group is a nonprofit.

In the past the department was inconsistent in applying the attendant services fee, with some groups not charged, said Craig Mayeda, administrator of Parks Maintenance and Recreation Services.

The department began charging the fees “in order to be consistent” as authorized by Section 10-2.7 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, he said.

That section says, “Organizations whose use of city recreational facilities requires an attendant or custodian, shall pay attendant/custodian service fees to the city of $15.00 per hour for a custodian or an attendant.”

He said a memo was sent by city parks Director Gary Cabato to all employees, “effective immediately,” that all permits issued for exclusive use of a locked facility should be charged the fee.

“They informed their users that the fee would be charged for any new permit issued but not for any permits already issued,” Mayeda said.

Question: We live on Hokuala Street in Mililani, and since Jan. 1 have had five power outages. We are considered a “pocket area” by Hawaiian Electric Co. When we lose power it happens only on our street. The neighbors in the surrounding streets all have power. Can you find out what’s going on? The outages occurred Jan. 1, 2, 5, 14 and 15.

Answer: HECO says the outages were due to underground “equipment failures” on your electrical circuit.

“We apologize for the disruptions,” said spokesman Peter Rosegg. “We are planning repairs needed on the underground circuit that serves (your) home on Hokuala Street in Mililani to begin after inspections, engineering and necessary permits are in place.”

He said it’s not unusual for homes nearby, even those across a street, to be on different circuits. “So lights can be out in some homes but not others nearby.”

MAHALO

To the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, a funding partner of our nonprofit youth training program. The Ma Ka Hana Ka ‘Ike (Hana School Building Program) truly couldn’t succeed without its generous support. OHA’s kokua of $100,000 through a Kaiaulu Grant for the 2012 fiscal year helps ensure the continuation of our program. The Building Program’s current focus is to provide Hana, Maui, youth with job training and employment that emphasizes sustainable industry directions. In doing so, we aim to increase family income by providing them with the necessary skills of self-sustenance and economic self-sufficiency, ultimately raising our community’s capacity to malama itself.

— Rick Rutiz, executive director

MAHALO

To the couple who waited by my car with my child in the Babies R Us parking lot on Saturday, Jan 14. I was reckless and ashamed, to say the very least, for leaving him alone. I can only imagine the outcome had it not been for you. I have prayed every day since my child was born for angels to protect him from mistakes I might make, and sure enough, you did. I cannot thank you enough.

— Grateful Mom