Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.
Kokua Line
Question: Can the public access the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs services -- such as the renewal of business and vocational licenses, corporate filings and annual reports -- online? Is Joe Blanco the contact person? Consumer services
soon will be onlineAnswer: The state is working to get such services online by September but still requires legislation to move forward, said department Director Kathryn Matayoshi, the point person for the Hawaii State Government Portal Project.
The project aims to establish a self-supporting Internet commerce portal encompassing all state services. Once the system is fully operational, you should be able to do all state government transactions, including monetary payments via credit cards, online.
"You don't have to go in person and you can access it from anywhere," Matayoshi said.
Blanco is the governor's special adviser for high technology development who announced the project last September. At that time, he said the plan is to have the new service running within a year.
Matayoshi said that still is the target date.
Hawaii Information Consortium has since been awarded the contract to get state services online. It's part of a national company that has a similar contract in 10 other states.
"At this point, we're the first project for the Hawaii State Government Portal," Matayoshi said, referring to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. "Then we will be working with other departments to get more things online through this center."
Matayoshi hopes the first searchable database will be up this month. That would allow you to search for items, but not actually file documents or reports or to pay for services.
"We need to get the legislation passed before we can accept the signatures (for filings)," Matayoshi explained. Lawmakers are being asked for approval this session "and we're hopeful, but that's one of the essential pieces. We might be able to move forward with some pieces but not full on for the whole department" at this point, she said.
Q: What is the rule on police using the high-occupancy vehicle lane? About 7:30 a.m. one day, a white Ford Explorer crossed into the three-or-more lane from about the Waipahu area and stayed in that lane all the way until the Middle Street viaduct. He was alone and did not have any of his lights on to indicate that he was on duty. I am a regular frustrated commuter from Makakilo. Something like this leaves a bad taste for the rest of us who can only dream about the convenience of using the same lane.
A: A check of records showed the officer was on duty at that time, said Honolulu Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Yu.
As long as officers are on duty, whether they are alone or not, whether their emergency lights are flashing or not, they are allowed to travel in the HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) and "zipper" lanes, said HPD Traffic Division Sgt. Clyde Yamashiro.
HPD vehicles are considered emergency vehicles. Even city buses, with or without passengers, are allowed to use those express lanes, Yamashiro said.
The particular officer cited has cited other motorists for using the HOV illegally, Yu said.
Auwe
To my neighbor who deliberately opened my mail from the Hawaii State Federal Credit Union. You committed a federal offense and the postal service has been notified of your misdeed. -- No name
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