Question: I see signs at Ala Moana Regional Park that clearly prohibit dogs. However, for at least the past year, every time I visit the park, there are dogs in the park areas, on the beach and in the water. In most instances these dogs are not on a leash, especially the ones on the sand and in the water. Is the “no dogs” rule no longer being enforced? If so, what about the rules that prohibit other activities? For example, is the rule prohibiting “alcoholic bever­- ages” also no longer being enforced? Can you provide some clarity on which agency is responsible for enforcing these rules and how it determines which rules it chooses to enforce?

Answer: Nathan Serota, a spokesman for Honolulu County’s Department of Parks and Recreation, responded to your questions by email:

“Rules that are stated on our park signs are applicable to everyone, throughout the park. Park staff are trained to educate the public on park rules, and while some parks do have park rangers that can help to alert the public about park rules, they and other park staff do not have enforcement powers (the ability to cite violators). We rely on the Honolulu Police Department for assistance in this regard, but in many cases, these are fluid, non-emergency situations that are dependent on the police resources available at the time. We have an excellent online resource that shows which city parks allow on and/or off-leash dogs, and hope the public can familiarize themselves with these locations: bit.ly/OahuDogParks.”

Q: Is Pier 2 still open?

A: Yes. Hawaii Pacific Health’s Pier 2 COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to noon; Tuesday and Thursdays from noon to 4 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the state’s COVID-19 portal. Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome, it says. Vaccination is available for people 12 and older; minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For more information, go to oneoahu.org/find-vaccine and click on the tab for “Pier 2 Vaccine.” You also can find information about other Oahu vaccination locations on that website.

Renewal update

Honolulu County has eased the filter on the AlohaQ online reservation system that restricted driver’s license and state ID renewal appointments to credentials expiring in three months or less. Now people whose Hawaii driver’s license or ID expires within six months can use AlohaQ to make an appointment. See alohaq.honolulu.gov.

The former, more restrictive “expiration checker” was put in place months ago, even though state law allows license and ID holders to renew up to six months in advance. It generated complaints, but officials said the restriction was allowed under the government’s emergency pandemic powers and that it was needed to prioritize the renewal backlog.

Meanwhile, due to a change in federal law, applicants seeking a REAL ID (“gold star” license or ID) in Honolulu County are no longer required to bring their Social Security card to their appointment. This change is due to the REAL ID Modernization Act, passed by Congress as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The change was implemented in Honolulu County effective June 18, according to the county’s Department of Customer Services.

To be clear, the applicant still must supply their Social Security number — written or typed on the application — but they don’t have to bring their Social Security card or another acceptable document to back it up; the county will verify the SSN by another means.

Mahalo

Please send my heartfelt thanks to Dennis, who paid for the flowers at Pali Safeway that I took to my husband at Punchbowl. I truly appreciate his kindness. May the good Lord bless him and forever keep him safe and healthy. — 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.