Kokua Line
By June Watanabe
Tuesday, December 1, 1998
Kokua Line
The new state ID card includes an image of Diamond Head
and anti-forgery features.
When are the new state ID cards going to be available? State official says use old IDs until expiration
A new identification system began producing cards that are more durable and tamper-proof, and similar to driver's licenses, on Oct. 29.
But it's been a break-in period for both staff and the equipment, said Liane Moriyama, administrator of the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center and overseer of the ID card program.
In fact, she suggests waiting until your current card expires -- all old cards will do so at the end of 1999 -- before applying for a new card, which costs $15 and is good for six years.
The goal is to get the processing procedure down to less than an hour, if you have the proper documents. Otherwise, be forewarned that the average processing time now is one to two hours.
(The $300,000 cost of the new system, provided by Polaroid of Fort Wayne, Ind., includes equipping the governor's liaison offices on four neighbor islands "in the near future.")
Under the old system, only one camera was available to take photos, which were then put on cards that were laminated. Although there were photos and signatures on the cards, those were not stored in state files, Moriyama said.
The new system has four stations, each with a camera, digital signature pad and "fingerprint capture device."
That way, not only is vital information about each person stored in the state ID database, but signatures and photos are also filed.
That makes for a more valid and secure identification card.
Each card has the state of Hawaii seal imprinted as "a security laminate" and a "ghost image" of a person's photo. Both are meant to prevent fraudulent reproductions.
The new card also shows the date of birth of those 21 and younger in red, instead of black; features the background photo image of Diamond Head; and allows, on the back, for people to name an emergency contact and say if they want to be an organ donor.
Call 587-3111 to find out what documents you need to get an ID.
The ID card office is open 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Monday-Friday, in room 102, 465 S. King St.
To all the inconsiderate cigarette smokers who throw their lit butts out their vehicle windows while driving. It's littering and dangerous. I ride motorcycles and get tired of being assaulted by burning objects. -- K.R. Auwe
To catalog companies. I was about to order something from a catalog, but then found out there would be a $10.50 delivery charge, plus a $10 per address charge. That's on top of the $53.95 cost for the items! -- No name Auwe
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
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