Question: How do I know if I have one of the defective electric meters that was on the news?
Answer: You would have been notified by Hawaiian Electric Co. by now; it contacted affected customers by letter, phone or in person, according to a news release. “If you are not contacted by Oct. 29, your business is not affected,” said the release, which was issued Oct. 22.
This potential problem affects certain commercial customers, not any residential ones, a company spokeswoman confirmed Monday.
Hawaiian Electric is replacing about 1,200 potentially defective electric meters at Oahu businesses after 10 of the same brand and model overheated, shattering the plastic cover on some units; no injuries or significant property damage was reported.
It began replacing the meters earlier this month, focusing first on about 600 judged to be at the highest risk of failure because they had been in service for six years or longer. Those were all due to be replaced by Friday with new equipment from a different manufacturer.
The other half will be switched out over the coming days and weeks as equipment arrives from the mainland. There is no cost to the customer.
All of the potentially hazardous meters are standard commercial meters, not wireless “smart” meters, according to the news release. Hawaiian Electric narrowed down the potential risk to one brand and model using a particular voltage: Itron Sentinel model SS4S1D, being supplied 277/480 volts.
The company has about 33,000 commercial customers on Oahu, the vast majority of which are not affected. The company said that even the risk posed by the 1,200 meters being replaced is believed to be small, but that it was acting out of an abundance of caution.
Business customers may call 543-7777 for more information.
Q: Regarding the beach right of ways, is there a way to find out about closures?
A: Yes, legitimate ones, at any rate. One method is to check the city Department of Parks and Recreation website, at 808ne.ws/closures.
It lists Beach Right of Way 67-A near the 44-500 block of Kaneohe Bay Drive as closed due to vandalism and Beach Right of Ways 279-A and 279-B on the North Shore as closed due to public safety concerns caused by severe erosion.
Q: Can I keep my California license and get a Hawaii one, too? I live both places.
A: No. “You must surrender all valid driver’s licenses in your possession in order to obtain a State of Hawaii driver’s license. No driver is permitted to hold more than one valid driver’s license at any time,” according to the city Department of Customer Services website.
Q: Will satellite city halls be open Election Day?
A: No, and neither will Oahu’s driver’s licensing centers, about which other readers have asked.
Auwe
Auwe to the Airbnb across the street whose guests throw garbage in my bins, park close to my driveway and take up parking space for my workmen and guests. Not sure it’s even legal as there is no indicating number or anything. — Frustrated in Manoa
Mahalo
On Oct. 22 I unknowingly dropped my keys near my car at Times Mililani. After shopping and going to the cashier, I noticed that a lady was returning a set of keys she had found. I noticed that they looked like mine. What luck. Thank you. — J.
Mahalo
I would like to thank the person who helped me when I fell at a fast-food restaurant on Beretania Street. He helped me get up with my dignity intact. I appreciate it. I go there often, and because of his kind gesture I am not embarrassed to return. I was not hurt. — Grateful customer
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.
