Question: I tried to get to the free document shredding event sponsored by AARP Hawaii and Access Information Management on Saturday, June 9, but found that they had shut down by 10:30 a.m. It appears they were inundated with boxes of documents. Do you know whether they are planning another event?
Answer: About 50 cars were turned away Saturday, beginning about 10:45 a.m., because the shredding trucks had reached capacity.
That’s after Access Information Management agreed to bring in an additional third truck, said AARP spokesman Bruce Botorff.
“Saturday’s event was overwhelmingly successful from a collection standpoint,” bringing in 30,000 pounds of paper, he said. Additionally, an estimated 2,500 pounds of food was donated for Lanakila Meals on Wheels and the Hawaii Foodbank.
The number of trucks on hand was based on previous events, “so that goes to show how strong the demand was” this time, he said. Most people turned away “were very understanding, but we did have a couple of people who expressed frustration.”
He apologized for inconveniencing those who couldn’t get their papers shredded, but said Access Information Management did give a handout for free shredding to everyone who arrived after the trucks’ capacity was reached.
This week only, until Friday, the company will waive its usual shredding fee for up to four file boxes of documents for individuals who show the handout, Botorff said. “People should also mention they came to Saturday’s event but weren’t able to get their papers shredded.”
As for the next free community event, check Access Information Management’s website, accesscorp.com/ upcoming-events.htm, or call the company at 673-3200.
The next event is scheduled for July. Most of the free shredding is offered in conjunction with monthly Aloha Aina Earth Day recycling events. For information, call Rene Mansho at 306-1876 or email RMansho@schn.com.
Score With SCORE
The May 30 “Kokua Line” (is.gd/esUOFe) gave information about how to get help starting a business, noting that a business counselor was available the third Tuesday of every month at the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’s Business Action Center.
The counselor comes courtesy of SCORE Hawaii, part of the national nonprofit association SCORE (Counselors to America’s Small Business).
“Our organization offers free business counseling, mentoring and advice to those who want to start a business or already have existing businesses,” said Jean Jeremiah, administrator of the Hawaii office. Monthly low-cost workshops also are offered.
For more information, go to www.hawaii.score.org, email hawaiiscore@hawaiiscore.org or call 547-2700.
Mahalo
To Bryce and Jessica, for the most wonderful thing to happen to me. I was rushing to catch the No. 65 bus in Kaneohe on my way home to Waikiki from work. I could see the bus coming. But I’m 73 years old and was carrying a bag with four pounds of sugar, three pounds of onions and three cans of fruit. I also had my attaché case. I didn’t make it; the bus passed by. All of a sudden, a young man came to me and said he saw I missed the bus and he would drive me to catch it. Bryce had been in his car waiting for the light but drove to where he could park to come to me. He and Jessica drove me past four or five bus stops to catch the bus, and I was on my way home. Can you imagine somebody going to that trouble? He said they saw how upset I was and wanted to help. I couldn’t believe it. Can’t believe I got in the car with them to begin with, but they were such nice, clean-cut looking young people I just did. Only in Hawaii. — Barbara Porter
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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.
