David Y. Ige

HONOLULU – The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) will commemorate National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) Mar. 6-12 by hosting a free Consumer Education Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 9 in the courtyard of the King Kalakaua Building at 335 Merchant St.

“The purpose of NCPW is to promote consumer education by providing free information that will help protect people’s privacy, manage their money and debt, and avoid identity theft, frauds and scams,” said DCCA Director Catherine Awakuni Colón.   “We encourage residents to attend the free fair as a one-stop-shop for consumer resources.  We will have representatives from over two dozen government and nonprofit agencies available to answer questions.”

Consumers can pick up their free copy of the new Consumer Guide to Healthcare Providers.  This booklet focuses on issues relating to healthcare providers in Hawaii and contains some general descriptions of the types of healthcare provider licenses issued by the DCCA; contact information for the healthcare provider boards and programs; some general tips on how to select your health care provider; and finally, some information about what to do if you have problems, concerns or complaints.

Agencies participating in the March 9, Consumer Education Fair include:

• Action Line
• Attorney General
• Better Business Bureau of Hawaii
• Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Hawaii
• Hawaii Credit Union League
• Hawaii Homeownership Center
• Hawaii SHIP
• Hawaii State Public Library System
• Hawaiian Community Assets
• Hawaiian Electric Company
• Internal Revenue Service
• IRS – Taxpayer Advocate Service
• Legal Aid Society of Hawaii
• SMP Hawaii
• Social Security Administration
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service
• U.S. Postal Service
• The State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA)
  • Cable Television
  • Consumer Education Program
  • Division of Consumer Advocacy
  • Division of Financial Institutions
  • Hawaii Post-Secondary Education Authorization Program
  • Insurance Division
  • Office of Consumer Protection
  • Office of the Securities Commissioner
  • Public Utilities Commission
  • Regulated Industries Complaints Office – Consumer Resource Center
  • State Certified Arbitration Program

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For more information, contact:

Jackie Choy
Consumer Protection Education Specialist
Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Email: [email protected]
(808) 586-2760