Kokua Line

By June Watanabe

Saturday, March 14, 1998

Aisles at theaters should
be free of obstructions

We went to the 12:15 p.m. matinee of "Good Will Hunting" at the Kahala Theaters on Presidents Day. Three things concerned us. The first was an "exit" sign that was not illuminated. How safe and legal was this? Second, a woman with a small baby kept a large baby carrier on the aisle, taking up half the space. One man stumbled over it.

Third, a young male employee helped people find seats but said nothing to this woman. What if there had been a fire or other emergency? Afterward, I asked him about Consolidated's policy on this. He took a very cavalier attitude, which bordered on being flippant. What does Consolidated have to say about this?

By now you've gotten the response from Consolidated Amusement Co., which sent us a copy of its letter to you from Rod Tengan, managing director of Kahala Theatre.

Tengan's response may interest other moviegoers.

Exit signs in all the auditoriums there are self-illuminating -- no electrical power is necessary, he said. A chemical substance, similar to phosphorus, is used, producing a glow-in-the-dark effect.

But as a result of your concern, Tengan said he has contacted the manufacturer to determine if the illumination diminishes with time and whether the fixtures may need to be replaced.

As for the baby carrier, no person or object is supposed to obstruct the aisles.

Tengan agreed that it was an unsafe situation and said he reminded staff of the policy on aisle obstruction. He said each worker knew about the policy but he apologized for one "failing to act appropriately."

People who have baby carriers or other such items have two options, Tengan said: Place it in the wheelchair space at the rear of each auditorium, if unoccupied, or outside the auditorium.

"We have had guests who have refused either option and opted for a third, which is to leave," he said.

"We do care about our guests, and when a situation exists which is unsatisfactory or requires correction, we are committed to make things right."

I appreciate the bulky item pickup dates published in the paper. When will the next list be published?

Last year, the city Department of Public Works announced a four-week schedule for bulky item pickups in Honolulu, for homes between Foster Village and Kalama Valley.

No new schedule will be published, said David Shiraishi, city refuse collection administrator.

Instead, just call 523-4685 and a recording will give you the schedule for your neighborhood.

"The system is designed to handle a couple of hundred calls simultaneously," Shiraishi said.

The schedule is updated quarterly. For Tantalus, Makiki and Manoa, for example, remaining pickup dates this quarter are April 1, April 29 and May 27. Residents can figure the next quarterly schedule by counting four weeks from May 27. Pickups are made within three days of the posted date.

The tax deadline cometh

IRS personnel will be on hand 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, as well as Monday-Friday, until April 11 to answer questions and help with basic 1997 returns. Weekday hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Meanwhile, federal and state tax forms are available at seven Oahu branches: Aiea, Aina Haina, Hawaii State Library, Kahuku, Manoa, Waianae and Waipahu. Waimanalo has federal tax forms.

Other types of forms are also available at these and other libraries. Call 586-3477 for information.