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Kokua Line
Question: I've been trying to find out who Ford Island is named after but am hitting dead ends. How did it get its name? Ford Island named
after asylum docAnswer: The 450-acre island was named after Dr. Seth Porter Ford, formerly from Boston, who worked at the Hawaiian Insane Asylum and the U.S. Marine Hospital from 1861-66.
Navy records show that the island originally was called Moku umeume (the isle of attraction). It was renamed in 1866, after it was purchased by Ford.
After he died, the island was sold to the Honolulu Plantation and used to grow sugar cane. During World War I, the Army purchased it from the Li Estate for $236,000. In 1923, it was transferred to the Navy.
Ford Island was decommissioned as a naval field in 1962, designated a registered National Historic Landmark in 1964 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
Q: Auwe. I called the Legal Aid Society recently, was put on hold for over 10 minutes, then was greeted by a rude female. I had a basic question -- which office could I file an executed power of attorney with. The female asked me several questions about my income. This was fine, but what surprised me was when I told her I was a single parent with two children making $1,800 before taxes a month, she said she couldn't answer my question because I made too much money! I asked what the income cut-off was and she said 125 percent of poverty level. When I asked her what that was, she said she was not able to tell me and to go to the Supreme Court law library and look it up. Give me a break. The simple answer, which I found out by calling the court, was the Bureau of Conveyances. Thanks for nothing, Legal Aid! Who do you really help, if not people like me?
A: To qualify for free legal help, an applicant's gross monthly income must fall within 125 percent of the federal poverty level for the applicable household size, explained Mervina Cash-Kaeo, deputy director for Legal Aid Society of Hawaii.
For a household of three, for example, a family's monthly gross income cannot exceed $1,690 to qualify for legal aid services.
Those who are "over income" are referred to the Hawaii State Bar's Lawyer Referral Program.
Last year, Cash-Kaeo said, the Legal Aid Society helped more than 14,000 clients, including removing clients and their children from abusive situations; creating opportunities for people to learn new skills; and helping clients receive health benefits, unemployment compensation, federal aid and food stamps.
Cash-Kaeo said the Legal Aid Society has a toll-free, statewide legal hot line that provides immediate legal advice, as well as client referrals when problems cannot be resolved through the hot line. As for your lengthy time on hold, she said it usually takes three to seven minutes before a call is answered.
Mahalo
To Chris Kuhn, who waited with our shaken and crying daughter after an auto accident at Moanalua Road and Kaahele Street, Aiea, on May 29 until we arrived. We also sincerely thank you and Ron Horiuchi for offering to be witnesses after a pickup truck driver ran the red light and hit her. -- Very grateful parents
Mahalo
To the couple in a white car who helped me get my dog back on May 3 on Aiea Heights Drive. I really appreciated their help. --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