Question: First, a mahalo: The air conditioning on TheBus is very good. So pleasant on these extra-hot days. Second, a question: Have they changed the rule on baggage? So much stuff being carried on. Getting too crowded.
Answer: No, the rule limiting luggage, shopping bags and other items hasn’t changed. “We welcome bags and other carry-on items that can be stored under the passenger’s seat or on the passenger’s lap. No bags allowed on the seats. No bags allowed in the aisle.” This message is stated in 13 languages on the website for Oahu’s public bus transportation system, thebus.org. The photos illustrating the rule show shopping bags, rather than baggage.
Q: I am seeing these kiosks in the grocery store, but I never stop because it’s after I have my cart full of groceries. Can you renew your driver’s license there?
A: No, but you can renew your car registration. You’re referring to the “DMV Now” self-service kiosks in five Safeway stores throughout Oahu. Service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but is limited to motor vehicle registration renewals, according to the city’s website. Find more information at 808ne.ws/locdmv.
Q: Regarding the new rental law, my elderly parents own several properties. Their tenants stay a few months (winter visitors, traveling nurses, etc.). They have a couple of tenants a year per property, some of them the same year after year. These tenants aren’t permanent, but I wouldn’t call them short-term, either. My father insists on managing all this himself, even though he is getting older. Should they be worried about this new law?
A: No, because they are renting out their properties for 30 days or more. Honolulu County’s new ordinance 19-18 affects properties that are not zoned for resort use, lack a nonconforming-use permit (NUC) and are being rented out for less than 30 days (that’s the time period the county defines as short-term). The law doesn’t apply to your parents’ rentals as you have described them.
The city Department of Planning and Permitting explains it this way: “If you are renting the unit for 30 days or more, you are legal. If you have a NUC, or are in the resort area, you are legal. Otherwise, you are likely operating an illegal vacation rental.”
Q: Where is the form to tell Gov. Ige about TMT?
A: There is a Google form on the governor’s website, at 808ne.ws/govcom. It asks whether the respondent supports or opposes the Thirty Meter Telescope project on Mauna Kea and leaves room for a brief comment.
Mahalo
On July 15 I had a bad fall and ended up with a gash on the back of my head, which started bleeding severely. A kind gentleman came and used his hand to stop the bleeding. He called the ambulance and stayed by my side until they took me away. After my treatment at the hospital, they called my husband. I am now recovering at home. I will forever be grateful and thankful to this kind gentleman. I never got his name, but I want him to know how grateful and thankful I am. — June O.
Mahalo
On the morning of July 24, I shopped at the Waimalu Safeway store. I believe I placed my cellphone in the shopping cart as I transferred several cartons of soda into my car. I had gone to shop at two other places before returning home. It was then that I realized that my cellphone was missing. I drove to the Safeway store to check whether anyone had found it and turned it in. It was such a huge relief and a pleasant surprise to see that someone had found it. I would like to thank that thoughtful person who truly exhibited the aloha spirit. I wish them many blessings for their thoughtful action. — Grateful senior
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.
