Hidden fees add up to real money

Remember when it was fairly easy to figure out what costs are going to be? Well, those good old days probably predate most of us, but we can all agree that it’s harder than ever to weigh service against expenses.

Hidden fees abound in commerce, and surcharges for people who go online for one-time bill payment have to be one of the most annoying. It’s a national trend, in Hawaii already familiar for customers of Hawaiian Telcom, Hawaiian Electric Co., Kauai Island Utility Cooperative and Hawaii American Water. Some say it’s because companies outsource online bill payment, so the fee is to cover that cost.

Nickel-and-diming adds up to real money. Bob Sullivan, author of the book "Gotcha Capitalism," estimates the average annual cost of such fees at $950. Ouch.

Kilauea caldera keeps on creating

The year 2012 is noteworthy for more than the dubious honor accorded by the Mayan calendar, as read by some prognosticators: the year when Earth will come to an end. It’s also the centennial of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on the rim of Kilauea’s summit caldera, where scientists have watched the Earth regenerating itself for 100 years.

The public hasn’t been able to get much of a glimpse … until now. On Saturday, the centennial events will include an open house, in which entrance fees will be waived and visitors will be able to see areas usually restricted and interact with the scientists.

This is an exciting day for them — and these are people who are used to feeling the Earth move under their feet. For more information, go to http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/.