Some Big Island residents are still waiting to find out what's going to happen to their warranties and service contracts since both Hawai'i island Chevrolet dealerships closed last month.

In mid-May, Island Chevrolet closed in Hilo and Kona after owner Alan Clark said his attempt to negotiate a sale of the dealership had fallen apart.

He cited the difficult economy and high gas prices as key factors in the closing.

Meanwhile, his former customers are still waiting to hear how they can get service on their vehicles.

One Hilo man said the General Motors customer service department was understanding, but apparently needed a geography lesson.

After he explained that the dealerships on the Big Island had closed, the General Motors service team member typed in his ZIP code and suggested he drive to Kahului, Maui, the nearest open dealership.

After he explained that his car couldn't make the ocean voyage to another island, he was assured that some plans are being made.

"I can assure you that there will be something there for customers," GM spokeswoman Susan Garontakos told The Advertiser yesterday. "Your readers and customers will be able to get help."

Garontakos said that a plan is being worked out but has not been finalized so she can't talk about the details.

Readers we spoke to said the company is keeping in touch with them but has not described what the solution may be.

"There are quite a number under warranty," Garontakos said.

We'll follow up when more details become available.

The closing of the two Big Island dealership offices is separate from the General Motors restructuring that is affecting auto dealerships across the country.

CONSUMER COMPLAINT PROPOSAL SCRAPPED

In a follow-up, state lawmakers decided against a proposed bill that would have kept secret the existence of consumer complaints that fall short of disciplinary action.

The measure would have applied to complaints against contractors, plumbers, architects or a host of other businesses. The change was included in House Bill 1212, which was quietly making its way through the state Legislature.

But after two key Hawai'i agencies described their opposition to the bill — state consumer advocates at the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and the Office of Information Practices, which oversees the state's open government laws — the proposal began to lose momentum.

The bill would also include accountants, activity desk personnel, acupuncturists, barbers, cosmetologists, chiropractors, dentists and dental hygienists, detectives, electricians, plumbers, engineers, architects, nurses, nursing home administrators, occupational therapists and real estate appraisers.

The Advertiser reported on their opposition in early April, a month before the Legislature adjourned. Consumer and open-records advocates said the change would have been a step backward for consumers who can read a complaint history before choosing to do business.