Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: I noticed a green-and-white highway sign that reads "Joseph Leong Highway." Who was Joseph Leong? Haleiwa highway segment
honors former legislatorAnswer: The highway in Haleiwa was known as the "Haleiwa bypass" until it was formally changed to Joseph P. Leong Highway in August 1997. It is a segment of Kamehameha Highway bypassing Haleiwa town on the mauka side.
Leong is the late North Shore representative credited for being "most responsible for the legislative appropriation for the plans, design and construction of the Haleiwa bypass," according to House Concurrent Resolution 245, which asked the state administration for the name change.
The change was approved by then-state Transportation Director Kazu Hayashida with the concurrence of Gov. Ben Cayetano.
According to the resolution, "Uncle Joe" Leong "served the Hawaiian people for more than 50 years in professional and volunteer activities" and is credited with sponsoring "critical legislation," including the Lion/Quest Drug Education Program, which "has benefited thousands of young people," and the land exchange between the state and the Mokuleia Land Co. for roadway access to Peacock Flat in Waialua.
Leong "served Hawaii for many years with loyalty, honor and distinction, while having a keen sense of duty and a unique grasp of human problems and being ready always to help a person in an hour of need," the resolution says, "and he gained and maintained the admiration, esteem and affection of those with whom he served in the Legislature and the people of Hawaii."
Q: We are Canadian citizens and have recently bought a condo in Waikiki, and are planning on living there six months out of the year. We often see special offers for kamaaina rates and feel that we now qualify. What identification do we need, and where would we apply for it? My husband did ask about getting a Hawaii driver's license but was told that we would have to give up our Canadian license, so that is not an option for us.
A: While a Hawaii driver's license is the most convenient way of showing residency, a second method is a state of Hawaii identification card.
However, the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center, which administers the state ID card program, is wrestling with the problem of issuing IDs to people like yourself who are not full-time residents.
Because so many out-of-state residents -- i.e., tourists -- used to swoop down on the office to get the cards to qualify for kamaaina discount rates, the state tightened its address requirements. While such applicants still can obtain the cards, they have to put down their permanent addresses, which usually means out of state.
"We are currently working on clarifying permanent residence as it relates specifically to state ID cards, which may mean rules definition and/or statutory change," said Liane Moriyama, head of the data center.
Until there is that clarification, she said her office will issue an ID card with a Hawaii address to applicants like yourself if you are able to produce one of the following: a Hawaii voter registration card/form; a Hawaii tax clearance application (under the assumption you have a business license here); or a Hawaii property tax assessment form or rental agreement.
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