The people of Wai'anae got a special apology this week. That doesn't happen too often.

Hawaiian Electric Co. issued a statement in the form of a half-page newspaper ad thanking the folks on the Leeward side for their patience during the power outages that came with the first winter storm of December. It was a thank you, an apology and an acknowledgement of the hardship some people went through last week when they were left without power, without groceries on neighborhood store shelves and without a way to drive out of the area to get a hot meal or a hot shower. It's frustrating to watch crews put in new poles to replace the broken ones, which were put in just a year ago. It's hard to sit out there in the dark when you can see the power plant right around the corner and the east side of the island lit up like Vegas.

The Hawaiian Electric letter read like it was written by a real person who was really bummed by the way things happened and fired up about making things right. It was signed by HECO President and CEO Mike May.

"We know the wait was very, very long for many people. And the traffic tie-ups along Farrington Highway — the Wai'anae Coast's sole major access road — added insult to injury for thousands of people, more in fact than were left without power. We especially regret that we were not able to get completely accurate information about the status of the repairs to poles to those on the Wai'anae Coast in a prompt and timely way."

Of course, sincere apologies are only the first step in the path to making things right. Fixing the situation speaks louder than acknowledging the problems.

But at least the problem has been acknowledged. The people of the Leeward Coast struggle through myriad complications to their everyday lives and validation of their struggles is hard to come by. Like the undying Waimanalo Gulch landfill. Like the hot classrooms and aging schools. Like the ongoing traffic nightmares whenever there's an accident. Like the homeless encampments on beaches and in bushes. Like crime that goes unsolved and pedestrian deaths that get shrugged off like "oh, another one on Farrington Highway."

Not that the Leeward Coast is all suffering and oppression. It is a place with a vibrant spirit all its own and people who pride themselves on their toughness. But just because they're tough doesn't mean they should be expected to put up with more than the rest of the island. Thankfully, Hawaiian Electric acknowledged that in writing.

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.

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