QUESTION: Can you update us on the mysterious disappearance of the Jacobs lady? It seems like it's been about three years. Any recent news?

ANSWER: Kimberly Jacobs, who disappeared from her home in Waikiki on Aug. 21, 2008, remains missing.

There have not been any recent leads and the case remains open, said Michelle Yu, spokeswoman for the Honolulu Police Department.

In fact, although police did receive several tips, it appears there haven't been any solid leads in the case since Jacobs, 47 at the time of her disappearance, was reported missing. Her daughter said it was “;like she just fell off the planet.”;

When last seen, Jacobs was described as “;emotionally distraught.”;

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers Honolulu at 955-8300.

“;Missing-persons cases remain open until the person is located or the person's status can be verified,”; such as by death, Yu said.

You can find information about her case and other still-active cases at http://www.crimestoppers-honolulu.org/missing.aspx.

The other people listed as missing are:

» Gerald Mariano, 71 at the time, last seen leaving his Waianae home on Aug. 8, 2009. His pickup truck was found abandoned on an H-3 Freeway onramp two days later.

» Marianne Waters, 22 when she was last seen in Waikiki on Aug. 3, 2008. Relatives from the mainland and Japan said she routinely called them, but no one has heard from her since.

» Katherine Schmittler, 41 at the time, last seen by friends on Feb. 1, 2008, at her North Shore home.

» Charles D. Wilson, 56 when he was last seen Oct. 9 or 10, 2007, at Keehi Boat Harbor. He was planning to relocate his boat to Waianae Boat Harbor.

» Dung Tran, 51 at the time, last seen leaving his home on Kalani Street on June 26, 2007. He was known to frequent Waikiki, playing his guitar.

IRS TAX AID

The Internal Revenue Service's Taxpayer Assistance Center at 300 Ala Moana Blvd. will be open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 27, to offer help to taxpayers struggling with unemployment or other economic problems.

Taxpayers can make payment arrangements or get help claiming special tax breaks given by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the IRS said.

Among the credits available are the American Opportunity Credit, Making Work Pay Credit, Expanded Earned Income Tax Credit and Home Buyer Tax Credit.

AUWE

To the self-righteous Prius driver at the five-way stop in Manoa about 6:45 a.m. March 2. Yes, it's my fault I didn't see you coming. But your car is a deadly weapon. If you see a pedestrian about to enter a crosswalk, you can't just go ahead and hit him because you have the right of way. If you maim or kill someone because you refuse to use your brakes, you deserve every bit of legal and moral hurt that's coming your way. Your Prius is silent at low speed. I can't hear you coming, and over 30 years of running I've coming to rely on my ears as well as my eyes to stay safe. Please remember that pedestrians are less likely to know you're there when we can't hear you coming. — Manoa Runner You Almost Hit

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Write to “;Kokua Line”; at Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana, Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).