Question: My mother is recovering from a stroke and for the first time needs help at home. She used to live alone and handled everything herself. … She says her property assessment should be here but I can’t find anything like that in her paperwork. How can I follow up on her behalf?
Answer: Property owners who did not receive their 2019 real property notice of assessment by Dec. 31 should call 768-7000 or go to a Real Property Assessment Division office in Honolulu (842 Bethel St., in the basement) or Kapolei (1000 Uluohia St., Unit 206), according to the city. You said your mom is well enough to speak briefly on the phone, so a call should suffice.
The city sent the notices in mid-December, by U.S. mail or email.
Auwe
The lawlessness on display on New Year’s Eve was nothing short of anarchy. Look it up! … Our elected officials should reconsider laws the government has no intention of enforcing. Otherwise, the message sent to the populace (we can do whatever we want) is heard loud and clear, and will apply to more than fireworks. — Frustrated
We did as you suggested. Merriam-Webster defines anarchy five ways, as 1a) absence of government; 1b) a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority; 1c) a utopian society of individuals who enjoy complete freedom without government; 2a) absence or denial of any authority or established order and 2b) absence of order.
Clearly, people illegally shooting off personal aerial fireworks had little or no fear of government intervention, despite Oahu’s ban. Whether that represents utopia or disorder depends on one’s point of view, but there’s no denying that the law was flouted.
We heard from others equally dismayed that so little is done to prevent this annual cacophony. Readers with asthma and other respiratory conditions weighed in, as did dog owners tired of seeing their pets cower in fear — or worse, disappear in a panic — each New Year’s Eve. Perhaps most poignant was the grandmother who vowed that her grandson, who suffers autism-related sensory overload, wouldn’t spend another New Year’s Eve on the island that has been his family’s home for generations: “These bombs are not Hawaiian. This is not a cultural thing for us. … Next year, I have to find a quiet place for us to go.”
After being off over the holidays, we returned to find our voicemail, email and mailbox overflowing not only with Auwes, but also with expressions of gratitude for various kind deeds. We’ll publish multiple Mahalo items over the coming days to catch up.
Mahalo
I am calling on behalf of my father, who is 101 years old and a very sharp man. He wanted very much to thank a woman who helped him the other day. The wind was blowing very, very hard and it pushed him into the bushes. A woman came along and helped him; he got her first name, Sharon. She got him out, put him on a bus bench, called a taxi and saved the day. Many thanks to Sharon! — J.D.
Mahalo
Mahalo to the lady who chased me down in the Kahala Mall parking lot to return my debit card after I carelessly left it in the Bank of Hawaii ATM. Aloha in action. I am truly grateful. — Thankful senior
Mahalo
My relic Camry went into lockdown mode, literally blocking the arm leading to a parking lot at the Kaiser Moanalua hospital, causing a backup and inconvenience. Huge mahalos to all staff of the hospital, from booth attendants to security managers and administrators, who came to my aid, with courtesy and kindness, until the tow truck arrived. Equal gratitude to motorists who were queued up due to my blockage, as they could not pass my vehicle into the parking lot. You were all patient patients (pun intended). — Warmest aloha, K.S.
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.
