A state agency is making it easier for Hawaii consumers to file complaints against individuals and businesses doing work regulated by licensing.
The Regulated Industries Complaints Office of the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs has introduced an online portal dubbed “U-Tip” that eliminates the need for the public to mail written complaints or tips about suspected improper regulated work to the agency.
RICO investigates misconduct allegations against licensed professionals as well as cases of unlicensed work in industries where individuals or companies require licensing.
About 50 industries in Hawaii are regulated, including accountants, contractors, real estate agents, doctors, barbers, plumbers, travel agents, auto mechanics, debt collectors, social workers, athletic trainers and massage therapists.
“We encourage all consumers to educate and guard themselves against unlicensed activity,” Esther Brown, RICO’s Complaints and Enforcement Officer, said in a message on the new website at cca.hawaii.gov/rico/file-a-complaint.
RICO has received 2,500 to 3,000 complaints a year over the last two to three years, and anticipates that the online portal will increase this volume because of the added convenience for reporting suspected violations.
Brown said most complaints over unlicensed work involve consumers who largely or completely pay for work that wasn’t finished, as well as poor or substandard work performed by an unlicensed person or company.
The industry with the most complaints, according to Brown, is contracting. After that, motor vehicle repair, real estate, barbering and cosmetology receive the next most in roughly equal proportions.
Enforcement actions taken by RICO in recent months include issuing civil fines or fees to Aloha Home Solutions LLC, Encored Inc., BJ’s Excavating & Hauling Co., Taketours.com, 222 Auto, R-Tec Refractories Inc., Market Contractors Ltd. and Triple Five Auto Work Corp.
Recent disciplinary actions include agreements in which licenses were surrendered by Dr. Roland H. Green Jr., BKP Construction LLC and physician’s assistant Robert W. Christine.
“With the ongoing challenges and protective measures brought on by the pandemic, our new online U-Tip tool allows RICO to continue working together with the community in addressing ongoing unlicensed activity promptly and safely with limited contact,” Brown said in a statement. “We encourage the public to be additional eyes and ears for our state and alert us of potential misconduct.”
Complaints Office resources
>> Online complaint filing: cca.hawaii.gov/rico/file-a-complaint
>> List of regulated professions and vocations: cca.hawaii.gov/pvl
