Question: I noticed photos of passengers on the Hawaiian Airlines flight on Maui who had to exit the plane on a slide carrying huge bags. I travel frequently and I believe you are told to exit the plane without anything. It seems that these travelers put others in harm’s way by slowing the exit. Can you tell me what the airline policy is and what do the flight attendants do to enforce this?
Answer: “It is our policy to instruct passengers not to take bags off, and our flight attendants were doing so,” Hawaiian Airlines spokeswoman Allison Croyle said in regards to the May 1 emergency evacuation.
“We do know that one customer came off with a pet in a totelike carry case,” she said, but “in many cases, bags were held back at the door.”
When asked about photos and video that showed passengers with bags and briefcases, Croyle says the airline is not disputing the fact that people exited the plane with their belongings.
“Our policy is not to allow bags, and our flight attendants stated that and removed bags at the door,” she said. “If there were passengers exiting with bags, it was despite the efforts of our flight attendants.”
The Federal Aviation Administration doesn’t address this issue specifically.
“The FAA has regulations requiring airlines to be able to safely evacuate aircraft within 90 seconds, with half the exits blocked,” said FAA spokesman Ian Gregor. “How the airlines accomplish this is up to them.”
Hawaiian Air Flight 24 made an emergency landing at Kahului Airport after an odor was detected in the cabin.
The problem was blamed on the malfunctioning of equipment that controlled air pressure and recycled cabin air. Two passengers were treated for minor injuries.
Question: Isn’t there a law about when you can use your power equipment, like your lawn mower or weed wacker, on weekends? I think our neighbors need to be reminded about this law. I think the law says you can’t use your power mower until 8 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday.
Answer: The law in question only pertains to leaf blowers being used in or within 100 feet of a residential area.
It restricts their use to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays and state or federal holidays.
Government entities are exempt from the law.
Under Section 342F-30.9 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, violators are subject to fines of $50 for the first violation, $100 for the second, $200 for the third and $500 for each subsequent violation.
Complainants may call the state Department of Health’s Indoor and Radiological Health Branch during normal work hours at 586-4700, said Jeffrey Eckerd, program manager for the branch.
After hours and weekends, complainants are advised to call police at 911.
However, Eckerd points out that the law does not cover weed wackers, lawn mowers or any other noisy lawn maintenance or yard-cleaning equipment.
A bill to regulate weed wackers was introduced during the past state legislative session, he said. However, Senate Bill 990 stalled in committee.
Auwe
To our neighbors for letting their dog bark morning, noon and night. Whenever a car comes or people walk by, the dog barks, barks, barks. They should move the dog where it wouldn’t see cars or people passing by. — No Name
Mahalo
Belatedly, to the nice gentleman and his family who helped me back in January. After I was through shopping at Costco in Waipio, I couldn’t find my car in the parking lot. He saw me walking around the lot, pushing my cart, and asked if I was looking for my car. I said “yes” and he offered to help, asking me for the make, model and color of my car. After he found it, I offered him a monetary gift in appreciation, but he refused. Mahalo and God bless him and his family. — Grateful Senior
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.
