Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Is it true that everyone in Hawaii must have a state ID card by the end of this year? If so, when and who consummated this law? We appreciate your response to clear a lot of senior citizens' minds. Obtaining state ID
still voluntaryAnswer: No, it's not true. Getting a state ID card is voluntary and for the convenience of people who may not have a driver's license or other form of identification with a photograph.
However, if you have an old state ID card with no expiration date, then you must renew it by year's end. New cards are good for six years.
Two new bits of information were passed on by Liane Moriyama, administrator of the state ID card program. One is that the state ID office now has a renewal window, which expedites the process for people renewing cards with no change in name or citizenship.
In those cases, people don't have to bring in special documents -- just their old cards, Moriyama said. Processing time is under an hour.
Also, a new state law allows the issuance of ID cards without Social Security numbers. The old law required Social Security numbers on all state ID cards (and driver's licenses, which are issued by the counties).
"By July 1, we will be able to issue a state ID with an alternate ID number," Moriyama said. So if you plan on renewing your old card or getting a new one, she advises that you wait until after July 1 if you DO NOT want your Social Security number used as the card number.
Those who don't care can still choose to use their Social Security numbers if they so wish, she said.
The cost of getting a state ID card is $15. Call 587-3111 for specific information.
CAN STILL CAN
Someone recently asked what was happening with the group, Citizens Against Noise, and we're now able to provide some information.The anti-noise group, founded by Joan Hayes in 1970, was instrumental in developing Oahu's noise code in 1972 and in setting some restrictions in Oahu's fireworks law.
But Hayes, who also served as a state representative, announced in 1988 that the group was disbanding on Oahu for lack of active leadership on the island.
However, CAN did not die.
Steve Montgomery, CAN's treasurer based on Oahu, said the group's work has been "a continuous movement," spreading to the neighbor islands and becoming a statewide organization.
President Barry Stokes lives on the Big Island, for example, and there are chapters on Maui, Kauai and Oahu.
The group remains all volunteer, "maintained by the generosity" of members who pay dues of $10 a year and others who believe in its work and help fund legal research, Montgomery said.
Depending on the island, CAN's focus does differ, he said.
On the Big Island and Maui, the target for more than a decade has been aviation noise, specifically tour helicopters. On Oahu, "we're working on fireworks noise and health issues," Montgomery said.
CAN and a group known as People Against Fireworks were disappointed that lawmakers did not act to control fireworks use, he said. But, "We want to let citizens who are suffering know that we are doing research on a class-action lawsuit that would hold the profiteers responsible for injuries and misery" caused by fireworks.
For more information about the organization, write to Citizens Against Noise, P.O. Box 27705, Honolulu, HI 96827.
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