Fifteen months ago, my copper landline began to deteriorate. The phone either presented very loud noises and wavering buzzing, or did not work at all. (I had no other phone line.)

On four separate occasions technicians responded to my calls; arrived to survey the situation; advised me that they no longer maintained such lines; but promised to return shortly to switch me to fiber optics.

Despite my many calls and promises given, nothing happened. (On at least one occasion, the promised arrival of a technician resulted in my waiting and losing a day’s pay. He never called nor arrived.)

During this time, I was billed each month, $49 for a no frills landline, considerably more than others.

Letters written to this newspaper, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, Hawaiian Telcom Headquarters and Legal Department, and inquiries to political representatives, brought no change.

One night, I received a call from a blind friend in his 70s – I am much older. Clyde was in pain and worried. But I could not hear him. After he hung up, he called another friend who rushed him to Maui Memorial. (Everything I am writing can be verified.) Clyde had suffered a serious stroke.

Finally, talk about patience, I decided to switch carriers. But even then, Hawaiian Telcom refused me the service of allowing me to transfer my old number.

What kind of people have authority in this company?

Raphael O’Suna
Ha’ikū