Question: Since we elected a new governor, I’d like to know: What are the salaries of the governor and lieutenant governor? Does the governor have a cook and housekeeper?
Answer: David Ige will be paid $146,628 annually after he takes office as governor in December, while Shan Tsutsui, who will remain lieutenant governor, will be paid $143,028.
Their salaries will increase each July 1 until 2018 under raises recommended by the state Commission on Salaries in 2013: to $149,556 and $145,884, respectively, in 2015; $152,544 and $148,800 in 2016; $155,592 and $151,776 in 2017; and $158,700 and $154,812 in 2018.
Ige will be able to live in Hale Kia’aina (House of the Governor), built as the governor’s residence in 2002. Although Linda Lingle was the first governor to live in the new home, built behind Washington Place, outgoing Gov. Neil Abercrombie came up with the name.
Washington Place, the former home of Queen Liliuokalani that had served as the governor’s home, is now preserved as a museum and used for official events. It also is available for private rental (see bit.ly/11feyBg).
Both Hale Kia’aina and Washington Place are maintained by the state Department of Accounting and General Services.
No cook is provided, but DAGS pays for a housekeeper at a cost of $35,256 per year, said DAGS spokesman R.J. Yahiku.
The governor also has access to a car and security detail, provided by the Department of Public Safety.
Question: What kind of compensation can we expect if our airlines flight is delayed? We were delayed for 12 hours.
Answer: Your airline might compensate you depending on what caused the delay.
Each airline has its own policy and you are advised to contact them directly.
However, "contrary to popular belief, airlines are not required to compensate passengers whose flights are delayed or canceled," says the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection and Enforcement Division.
Federal law requires compensation only if you are bumped from a flight that is oversold.
The public also should realize that airlines don’t guarantee their schedules.
If you are delayed, Aviation Consumer Protection advises asking whether the airline will pay for meals or a phone call. Some airlines, notably those offering very low fares, do not provide any amenities, while others will not offer anything if the delay is caused by bad weather or a problem beyond the airline’s control.
All airlines are required to make their mailing or email addresses available on their website, e-ticket confirmation or, upon request, at their ticket counters, then to respond to written consumer complaints within 60 days.
For more information, go to dot.gov/airconsumer.
Tarmac Delay Rule
If your flight is delayed, you shouldn’t have to sit on the plane for more than three hours (four hours for international flights), under DOT rules.
However, there are exceptions, for example, if the pilot determines there is a safety or security reason why passengers can’t be allowed to deplane or air traffic controllers advise the pilot that taxiing to the gate or another site would significantly disrupt operations.
If you are stuck on a plane, the DOT requires that food and water be offered at the two-hour point, lavatories be operational and medical care be available if needed.
Mahalo
To the honest person who turned in my husband’s iPhone to Ala Moana Hotel, where we were celebrating a family birthday in the Hibiscus Ballroom. I had put the phone down in the lobby area when I went to meet my kids and forgot about it. An hour passed before I realized I didn’t have it. My brother called the phone and hotel security answered. The bell desk guys said I was lucky because seldom do people turn in phones, more so an iPhone. So glad there are still people out there like you. — M.S./Honolulu
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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.
