Kokua Line
By June Watanabe
Thursday, February 18, 1999
Kokua Line
How can I get in touch with the state program that deals with unclaimed property? State has $54 million
in unclaimed propertyThe state's Unclaimed Property Section is part of the Department of Budget and Finance. Call 586-1589.
Since the office opened in 1974, it has taken in millions of dollars in unclaimed assets, much of it from abandoned bank accounts, security deposits, uncashed checks, etc. Millions eventually find their way back to the rightful owners, but, at last check, about $54 million remained unclaimed.
Private companies can track down and reunite owners with such unclaimed assets -- for a fee -- but you can call the state and get information or stake your claim without charge.
The state runs a legal ad once a year alerting people to the latest batch of unclaimed assets (March 1 in MidWeek this year), said Sandra Kam, unclaimed property program manager.
You have until April 20 to call the company holding your money, she said. After that it is turned over to the state and deposited into the state's general fund.
There is no deadline in claiming the money. "For now, it's forever," Kam said.
So, if you can show proof of identity, it'll be turned over to you.
Kam asks that you be patient when calling her office, because the lines may be busy. Only three people are available to answer phones and calls typically flood the office after the legal ad runs. "Keep trying or, if people can be patient and wait, they can call throughout the year," Kam said.
Also, the Better Business Bureau says people who had federally insured mortgages may be owed refunds, part of the insurance premium, etc. They can get refunds without paying a fee. The Department of Housing and Urban Development tries to find people due a refund, but if it is unable to within two years, the information becomes available under the Freedom of Information Act. Thus, private businesses, called tracers, may purchase this information, the BBB said, and then offer to collect your refund -- for a fee or percentage of the refund.
To see if you are entitled to a refund, call 1-800-697-6967.
Our grandfather died and we decided to help our grandmother clean out his shed. We found so many containers, filled with all kinds of liquids. We cannot tell by sight or smell what they are. Most are not labeled or in their original containers. We called the city's Hazardous Waste Office at 523-4774 and the recording said the items have to be identified. But it's impossible. Also, we do not want to pour all of these liquids into a big barrel and soak it up with newspaper or rags because we do not know if inhaling it would be toxic. Can you help us?
Call the state Department of Health's solid and hazardous waste branch 586-4226.
The office will send someone to try to identify the liquids, said spokesman Patrick Johnston.
After that, you should call the city's hazardous waste office for disposal, he said.
To police officers Robert Daclison and Val Chun who helped when my car stalled on the freeway to Wahiawa on Jan. 18. Officer Daclison wasn't even on duty when he offered me his personal cellular phone and Officer Chun stayed with me to be sure I was safe until the tow truck came. -- Kathleen Y. Kumia Mahalo
Re the auwe about handicapped parking abuses: Not all handicapped people are in wheelchairs, nor are they necessarily leaning on canes. Until you have walked a mile in another person's shoes, accept handicapped parking passes as gospel. Bah! -- F.F. 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
