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New-look ID cards have
improved security features

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There's a new look to state-issued identification cards, with "better security features," as well as "better general features," according to Liane Moriyama, administrator of the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center.

The center oversees the State Identification Office.

In addition to issuing the new-look cards, the office also began using an upgraded system on Aug. 1.

The old system was more than five years old, which meant maintenance problems and deteriorating "performance," Moriyama said. That affected "our ability to deliver the level of service we want to deliver to our customers."

The new system will allow the office to go "on the road" more often, she said.

Outreach efforts have been done twice previously on Oahu: at Windward Mall in October 2002, and at Aiea High School this past January.

The feedback was "overwhelming," Moriyama said. "The staff wants to go on the road and the new system will allow us to do this with more ease."

There also are plans to open the office one Saturday a month.

As for the card, the old Diamond Head backdrop has been replaced by a view of Hanauma Bay.

The date of birth for those under 21 and those 65 and older are now highlighted in color -- red for the former and green for the latter. There's also a ghost image of the card-holder's photo under the date of birth, a state seal hologram laminate and the holder's signature overlaying the photo.

The identification office, in Room 102, 465 S. King St., is open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays.

It costs $15 to obtain or renew a card, except for those 65 and older, who pay $10. Payment must be made in cash.

Call 587-3112 to find out what documents you need to obtain a card.

Feeding Feral Cats

Regarding the Monday, Sept. 27, Kokua Line about someone complaining that a woman was feeding feral cats at Kamiloiki Park in Hawaii Kai: There is a half-hour show on 'Olelo Community Television Channel 52 about a trap/neuter/return program for feral cats. It is sponsored by several cat organizations and also gives tips on dealing with specific cat problems. Contact information is given at the end. The next showings are 10 p.m. Oct. 6 and 7 p.m. Oct. 15. -- Jo

Auwe

Regardless of how full or empty TheBus is, there's always, always one person who plants himself/herself in the back door stairwell. Inevitably, this person is wearing a huge backpack. Everyone who exits has to squeeze past enormous backpack-person to get out the door. Many times, there are two such people, crowding the stairwell, one hanging onto each of the two exit posts, and turning the simple process of getting to the back door into an obstacle course. Mahalo to the too few bus drivers who observe this, and ask the offender to move away from the exit. I'd like 100 more such drivers. Meanwhile, folks: a little common sense? Stay away from the back door until we reach your stop. I promise you, you'll be able to get to the back door when that happens, and, meanwhile, so will the rest of us! -- G. L. McCulley

Mahalo

To everyone, especially a fast-acting couple, who helped save my life when I had a heart attack on Sunday, Sept. 26. I was in the parking lot of Sack 'N' Save at Stadium Mall, about 10 a.m., when I became nauseous and started having chest pains. I didn't have a cell phone and didn't know what to do, so I flagged down a Filipino couple who had just gotten into their SUV. They called 911 immediately and got an ambulance there to help me. Mahalo also to the ambulance crew and the staff at Kapiolani Medical Center at Pali Momi, who stabilized me, and to the ICU staff at Straub Hospital. They all saved my life. I didn't get the couple's name, but hope they see this and contact me so I can show my appreciation. -- Pat Chu

If that couple contacts Kokua Line at 529-4773, we'll pass your name and telephone number onto Mrs. Chu.

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