Question: Regarding the $250 rebate program for refrigerators (http://hsblinks.com/2kq): I mailed my rebate form on June 6, the day after my new refrigerator was installed, using the envelope supplied by Sears. How much longer will we have to wait for the payment?

Answer: The processing time was expected to take 10 to 12 weeks.

If you received a special numbered rebate application form from a participating retailer, purchased a qualifying refrigerator and recycled your old one, you will be receiving the $250 rebate, said Derrick Sonoda, director of operations for Hawaii Energy (also known as Science Applications International Corp.).

Hawaii Energy managed the rebate program on Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island.

Recycling your old, less energy-efficient refrigerator was one requirement of the program.

Since this rebate program is federally funded (via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act), processing and verification were expected to take 10 to 12 weeks.

This was noted three times on every application form, Sonoda said.

Question: Someone recently inquired about the "Cash for Appliances" program, which has ended. However, can you let them know they would likely be eligible for the Energy Star rebate of $50 on their dishwasher purchase?

Answer: Even before the federal funds were made available for energy-efficient appliances, the ratepayer-funded "Energy Solutions for the Home" rebate program was available for a selected number of Energy Star appliances.

This rebate program continues, with a processing time of six to eight weeks, said Derrick Sonoda, director of operations for Hawaii Energy.

When consumers buy a qualifying appliance, the retailer will give them a rebate application, he said.

Or purchasers can download the form on the Hawaii Energy website. Go to http://hsblinks.com/2kt.

Rebates for Energy Star appliances range from $40 for a ceiling fan to $110 for a ductless, split air conditioner.

Other eligible Energy Star appliances are washers, dishwashers, refrigerators and window air conditioners.

Go to http://www.hawaiienergy.com for information.

Question: On the corner of Kilani and Lehua avenues, a street lamp is hanging out of its holder and could break off and fall to the street or on someone. Who should be contacted to fix this?

Answer: Report problems like this to the city by going to www.co.honolulu.hi.us/csd/publiccom/fixit.htm. Click on "report a problem."

You can also e-mail complaints@honolulu.gov or call 768-4381.

POLE UPDATE

Hawaiian Telcom says it has completed its work on the Ena Road pole project about a month ahead of its projected completion date.

All active lines have been transferred to new underground cables, and the pole that had been stranded in the middle of a new right-turn lane on Ena Road, off Kalakaua Avenue, has been removed.

"Our teams were very aware of the project’s visibility and worked really hard to get it done ahead of schedule," said Hawaiian Telcom spokeswoman Ann Nishida Fry.

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 e-mail kokualine@staradvertiser.com.