Question: My elderly wife no longer drives. Her driver’s license expires later this year. She could renew it but only needs it for identification. Does the city DMV office issue IDs, or would she go elsewhere? Is an expired driver’s license sufficient for ID at hospital, retail stores, etc.?
Answer: To answer your last question first: No, an expired driver’s license generally wouldn’t be accepted when your wife is required to present a valid ID to obtain goods or services or to otherwise verify her identity. An expired license isn’t considered valid.
Yes, your wife can apply for a Hawaii state identification card, instead, at any driver’s licensing center on Oahu. State IDs are not issued at satellite city halls. By law the satellites are only allowed to handle renewals or duplicates, said Sheri Kajiwara, director of the city’s Department of Customer Services.
Your wife can download, fill out and print the application form ahead of time. Find it at 808ne.ws/ stateidform.
She should check the document guide at 808ne.ws/docgde well in advance to see whether she needs to bring in original documents to verify her legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, legal presence in the United States and proof of principal Hawaii residency. What documents are necessary depends on whether, and how recently, an applicant has already met the requirements of the federal REAL ID Act.
Note to other readers: Although the process to obtain a Hawaii driver’s license is similar, there’s a separate application. Find the HDL form at 808ne.ws/HDLform.
Here are the Oahu locations that issue driver’s licenses and state IDs, according to state and city websites:
>> Kapalama Driver Licensing Center, 925 Dillingham Blvd., Suite 101, 768-9100
>> Kapolei, 1000 Uluohia St., 768-3100
>> Koolau, 47-388 Hui Iwa St., Suite 19, 239-6301
>> Wahiawa, 330 N. Cane St., 621-7255
>> Waianae, 85-670 Farrington Highway, 768-4222 (Tuesdays and Thursdays only)
Q: I’m calling about the last sentence in the first answer in Monday’s Kokua Line (808ne.ws/kline25). What does “affirmative defense” mean? Is it OK to call 911 while driving or not?
A: A defendant who mounts an affirmative defense essentially admits committing the accused offense but introduces evidence to justify his or her actions. If the evidence is deemed credible, the defendant’s civil or criminal liability is reduced or eliminated. Self-defense is perhaps the best-known affirmative defense.
Hawaii’s distracted-driving law specifies that calling 911 is an affirmative defense. So while it is illegal to hold a cellphone while driving, motorists who can prove they were calling 911 at the time might get a ticket dismissed.
Blaisdell parking alert
Multiple events at Neal S. Blaisdell Center mean that attendees should arrive early so they can take their seats on time this evening, the city warns. Heavy traffic is expected from 4 to 8 p.m. near the complex at 777 Ward Ave., between Kapiolani Boulevard and King Street.
Auwe
Too many drivers are still ignoring pedestrians in the crosswalk, especially when making a left turn and trying to run a red light. They don’t even care that you are already in the crosswalk and have the “walk” signal. You can’t legislate common sense. — Careful pedestrian
Mahalo
Mahalo to the gentleman working at GNC at the Kamehameha Shopping Center. He went way out of his way to help me find the right vitamins for our dog. He let me call our dog’s vet, and he talked with the nurse to make sure he had the right vitamins and dosage. After talking to the nurse, he helped me figure out how much to give our dog. I really appreciate all his help and patience. Many thanks. — Debbie K.
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
