Question: I was wondering whether there are plans to add lockers to Ala Moana Beach Park. I work in town and would like to pop over on lunch break to swim but don’t want to leave anything in my car or on the beach. Are there plans to add lockers?
Answer: No, “there are no plans to add locker facilities to Ala Moana Regional Park,” said Nathan Serota, a spokesman for the city Department of Parks and Recreation.
Although lockers aren’t in the works, the city does plan major renovations at the park, which you can read about at 808ne.ws/ampren Opens in a new tab. The master plan is under official public review now; comments are welcome until Aug. 22. Send them to the mayor’s office.
The proposed changes include revamping parking, replenishing sand, improving drainage, repairing the canal bridge and park entrance portals, fixing up McCoy Pavilion and the canoe halau and lawn bowling areas, and adding a playground and dog park.
Q: Are you sure that 800-MEDICARE number is correct? There’s an extra digit.
A: Yes, we tested it prior to publication. When you call, you should hear the recorded greeting, “Welcome to Medicare.” You can reach the same Medicare call center by dialing 800-633-4227, which leaves off the final digit of the spelled-out version.
We published the number Wednesday for Medicare members living in Hawaii to call if they had not received their new Medicare card, which an agency spokesman said should have arrived by now. Hawaii’s mass mailing occurred from April through July, he said.
We heard from several readers who called the number and were told their card had not been mailed and that Medicare needed to verify their address. This occurred even for beneficiaries who had lived at the same address for many years and were not new to Medicare. With their address now verified, they were told their card should arrive within a few weeks.
We followed up with the spokesman to find out how many Hawaii residents were left out of the mass mailing this way, but did not hear back by deadline.
Q: I heard that you don’t have to be registered to vote. Is that true?
A: No, you must be registered, but you can register and vote the same day. Same-day registration is new this primary season, so that may be what you heard about.
According to the state Office of Elections, eligible voters can register and vote the same day at an early walk-in voting location in their county or on Election Day at the polling place assigned according to their home address. For Hawaii’s primary election, early walk-in voting locations are open through Thursday, and the primary’s official date is Aug. 11.
To be eligible for same-day registration, a person must be a U.S. citizen, Hawaii resident and at least 18 years old.
To register, the prospective voter will be asked to present one form of physical identification, such as a Hawaii driver’s license, state ID, military ID, U.S. passport or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check or other government- issued document showing their name and address, according to the elections office.
They’ll also be required to complete a voter registration affidavit form. “On the form you will need to provide your Hawaii Driver’s License number or Hawaii State ID number. If you have not been issued either ID, you will be asked to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. Upon completion of the form, you will be asked to present one form of physical identification,” the office says.
Those who register and vote the same day should plan to spend a little extra time at the polling place while their registration is confirmed.
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.
