Question: Primary in Oceanic Cable’s advertising is a feature called "Start Over." They would have you believe that this feature is available on all channels when in fact it is offered on very few channels and only works some of the time. Of the four major Oahu channels — KHON, KITV, KGMB and KHNL — it is only available on KHNL and is "not available at this time, please try again" about half the time. At best, isn’t this a bad joke or, at worst, intentional fraud?

Answer: On its website — goo.gl/ZqH3J — Time Warner Cable says: "There are over 20,000 hit TV shows that are Start Over enabled … "

But in parentheses is the caveat, "this varies by market."

In the Hawaii market, about 96 channels are "enabled" with Start Over, which is "around 25 percent of the overall programming," said Sandy Davis, director of customer care for Oceanic Time Warner Cable.

That’s an estimate based on the percentage of content enabled by channel, she said.

"Time Warner Cable negotiates with specific programmers to enable Start Over on as much programming from that channel/provider as possible," she said.

The company can only enable programs approved by each channel/provider, she said.

Customers are alerted by a prompt in the interactive guide as to which shows have the Start Over feature.

Will the number of Start Over programs increase in Hawaii any time soon? Can’t say.

Davis said Time Warner Cable "is always working to expand Start Over offerings," but that "negotiations to expand programming for Start Over are confidential, just as they are in regards to specific channel launches."

Question: Do you have information as to how a homeowner can properly get rid of old paint and other toxic fluids in cans?

Answer: You can toss old paint, after drying it out, into your trash bin. Other toxic materials may need special handling.

You can find out what to do with specific items on the city’s website: goo.gl/qSmp1.

If a material is not listed or you are unsure of how to dispose of an item, call the city’s Household Hazardous Waste Line at 768-3201.

The guidelines apply only to residential households with small quantities to be disposed. Contact the city to find out how to dispose of large quantities of any type of hazardous waste.

For paint and primers, use the "absorb and trash" method of disposal: Pour the liquid into a plastic bag with absorbent material, such as shredded newspaper, old rags or sawdust. Seal bag, then toss in trash. Or use an oil-change box.

Paints that have hardened in the can may be thrown as is into the household trash container.

While many household items can be disposed of on your own, these items should be disposed of by the city: acetone, arsenic, boric acid, chlordane, DDT, Dieldrin, fertilizers, formaldehyde, gasoline, herbicides, hydrochloric acid, insecticides, kerosene, lead, lighter fluid, mercury, muriatic acid, paint stripper, paint thinner, Paraquat, Pentachlorophenol, Paris Green, photographic chemicals, rust remover, solvents, swimming pool chemicals, turpentine, Varathane and wood preservatives.

The city holds hazardous waste drop-off events every two months. It may be too late for Saturday’s event, but drop-offs also are scheduled for Aug. 4, Oct. 6 and Dec. 15.

Call 768-3201 for an appointment; be prepared with a list of the items for disposal and their container sizes.

Mahalo

To the person who found my lost checks. I received one in the mail and the other was sent directly to Hawaiian Electric Co.

Too often we only hear how checks are stolen. Your kindness has been a story I am telling everyone. Great people like you make this a better world. — Patricia

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.