THE LEFT LANE
Having your say
Want to voice your displeasure over your cell phone service or gripe about a gift purchase gone bad?
There's a place to vent that gets results: planetfeedback.com. It can help you have your complaint taken seriously and direct you to the people in charge of granting refunds, apologies and gift certificates.
I tried it myself. I bought a toy at Kmart in Iwilei for my nephew for Christmas, wrapped it and mailed it to the Mainland. But when he opened it, it was discovered that the toy wasn't in its original packaging and was missing pieces. I felt like a cheap auntie. I didn't realize it had once been returned.
I filled out PlanetFeedback's complaint form, e-mailed my letter and had a response from the company the next day. Kmart apologized and agreed to mail my nephew a new toy, as well as a $25 cash card. That's what I call customer service, which brings me to the other service PlanetFeedback provides: You can send companies compliments, too.
— Tanya Bricking, Advertiser staff writer
Culture on file
Hawai'i Museums Association has published a directory of 97 museums and cultural attractions. The useful information, organized by island, includes a map, brief descriptions, hours, special tours, Web sites and admission fees. Attractions such as the Honolulu Police Department Law Enforcement Museum on O'ahu and the Grove Farm Homestead on Kaua'i are among the lesser-known treasures.
The directory is free to HMA members and costs $8 for non-members. The directory appears also as a brochure inside Aloha magazine. For information, log on to the Hawaii Museums Association Web site.
— Chris Oliver, Advertiser staff writer
Put flowers on film
Calling all shutterbugs: Canon's amateur photo contest 2002 "Flowers in Hawai'i" is ongoing through Feb. 28. Flowers in Hawai'i are easy to find — the challenge is to make your shot stand out.
Entries (up to three per person) will be judged in March by a panel looking for visual impact and technical skill in representing this year's theme.
Any type of photographic equipment may be used. Selected photos will be displayed at the Canon Photo Gallery in Honolulu. Entry forms are available wherever cameras are sold. Information: 522-5930.
— Chris Oliver, Advertiser staff writer
