Question: How many water companies/entities tap into Honolulu’s municipal water supply and then resell the water? What rate do they pay for the water they use? How much water do they take?
Answer: The Board of Water Supply has three bottled-water companies as customers; they are charged the non-residential rate of $4.96 per 1,000 gallons of water, said spokeswoman Kathleen Elliott-Pahinui.
In 2017, the BWS sold about 50.7 million gallons of water to bottled-water companies, less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the roughly 52.2 billion gallons of water BWS produced that year, she said.
In addition, she said, the BWS sold about 61.3 million gallons of water that year to soft drink companies and breweries.
“Non-residential refers to any property not used for residential or agricultural purposes,” according to the BWS website.
Q: Is that rate higher than for homeowners?
A: No, not at that level of usage. Residential rates vary by usage, while the non-residential rate does not, according to the BWS website. The residential rate is $4.42 per 1,000 gallons for the first 13,000 gallons a month; $5.33 per 1,000 gallons from 13,001 to 30,000 gallons; and $7.94 per 1,000 gallons over 30,000 gallons, according to the BWS website.
Averaging out the 2017 figures, each of the three water-bottling companies would have been buying about 1.4 million gallons of water a month, at the non-residential rate of $4.96 per 1,000 gallons.
As a reminder, water rates will be rising July 1. You can read more on the BWS website, boardofwatersupply.com/.
Auwe
Auwe to pedestrians who enter a marked crosswalk when the signal says don’t walk. According to Hawaii Revised Statutes 291C-33(2), “Don’t Walk or Upraised Palm. No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of such signal, whether flashing or steady.” Drivers are always getting a bad rap for not watching out for pedestrians, yet pedestrians don’t take any responsibility for their actions and continue to cross against the signal. Where are the police and why aren’t they ticketing pedestrians too? — A driver
Mahalo
I bought a Protein Box at Starbucks Ala Moana on Tuesday and inadvertently gave the cashier a Target gift card. While looking for the correct card, a young lady quickly paid for my purchase. I appreciate your kindness, young lady. Aloha lives. — J.M., Volcano
Mahalo
Last month my husband and I traveled to Renton, Wash., to visit our son and his family. Before leaving we had dinner at Feast Buffett with our son’s family and our nephew’s family. We gathered for a group photo. Our son went to the front desk to ask someone if they could take our picture and no one was available. Then I heard someone call out, “Aunty! I can take your picture.” Only in Hawaii — or connected to Hawaii — would you hear “uncle” or “aunty” from a total stranger. We were so gratified by his offer and found out that he was from Kauai. The aloha spirit was alive in Renton. Thank you, “uncle”! — Grateful Grandma
Mahalo
I lost my sense of direction as to where I had parked my car in the Windward Mall parking lot. With the rainy weather, I started to panic but then I asked a couple coming out of their car if they could help me locate my car. They cheerfully obliged, using my car alarm to guide us. Mahalo to this couple, and may God bless them. Afterward, I went to the Starbucks drive-thru to order a drink and guess what?! The person in front of me paid for my drink! I was blessed by all these people. I will pay it forward with the aloha spirit. — 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.
