Kokua Line
By June Watanabe
Friday, September 11, 1998
Kokua Line
Someone's been dropping these (copies of half a $20 bill) all over Honolulu, freaking out people who find them. We found this one on a street. Someone trying to retrieve it could have gotten hurt. Who is responsible for this and isn't there a law against photocopying currency? Bogus $20 bills
can be given to
Secret ServiceApparently, people see what they think is a folded $20 bill, dropped on the street. When they pick it up, they read on the other half: "Don't be fooled! There is something you can have more valuable than money!"
On the back of the bogus half-bill is an exhortation for people to obtain a better life by reading the Bible and choosing to do things God's way. There is no name, telephone number, address or organization listed.
Previously, it was against the law to reproduce any U.S. currency unless it was for numismatic purposes, said Sam Tong, special agent for the U.S. Secret Service.
"Now, you can photocopy money, but it has to be one-and-a-half times larger than a genuine bill or three-quarters the size or smaller," he said.
The bogus bill you sent in the same size as a real $20 bill. Even a partial reproduction is illegal in that case, Tong said.
He's seen variations of the scheme to get people's attention -- a partial $5 bill, for example, with biblical references.
"We run across them a lot," he said.
You can turn the bills in to the Secret Service, which will try to research where they are coming from, he said.
Although the Secret Service is known more for protecting the president of the United States, Tong said it actually was started in 1865 because of problems with counterfeit money.
The Secret Service still is responsible for investigations involving money, checks, bonds -- whatever the government issues as securities, Tong said. It assumed its presidential protective duties in 1901.
I see bicyclers going over the Pali and through the tunnels. They cause a traffic hazard because they go so slow. Is there a law that says they cannot go on the Pali, through the tunnels? No. The only place bikes are not allowed are on the freeways, said Honolulu Police Department spokeswoman Jean Motoyama. "The Pali and Likelike are not considered freeways," she said.
To the lady on the bicycle who came to our garage sale on Hayden Street on Sept. 6. We are holding your costume jewelry. We went to the Brokaw Street sale and along the Ala Wai but could not find you. -- Grace Garage sale customer
To those readers who still have gripes about the bag searches at Aloha Stadium: We passed on all your complaints and concerns to the stadium management. Several of you disputed the statement that the searches are voluntary, based on your experiences last Thursday. Aloha Stadium woes
To the person who returned my legal documents to the lieutenant governor's office. I wish I could thank you personally. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness. Mahalo also to the lieutenant governor's office for taking the time to mail them to me. -- Doris G. Mahalo
To the state Department of Transportation for continuing to punish the majority of motorists who cannot use the HOV lane -- now the Zip Lane. Weekday morning traffic would move along much more smoothly if the rest of us could use that half-empty lane too! How about a real solution -- a fair solution. -- Suburbanite commuter Auwe
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com
