Question: Someone told me that the Hawaii Kai Satellite City Hall location now requires appointments for driver’s license renewals. The indication was that a person could go online to make an appointment. I tried searching online but was unable to locate the correct site. I tried to call but no one is available to answer the phone. Could you please let me know where I am able to make an appointment for the Hawaii Kai Satellite location?
Answer: Appointments are strongly recommended but not required, and the website where you’re supposed to be able to make one is www.honolulu.gov/license. However, the city only recently added Hawaii Kai to its online reservation system, and there have been technical problems. As of deadline Wednesday, the service was down for that particular location, but it is expected to resume soon.
Walk-ins are allowed, there and at other locations, according to Sheri Kajiwara, director of the city’s Department of Customer Services. Learning that a note on the city’s website indicated otherwise, Kajiwara said she would have that information corrected.
She said the city has expanded its AlohaQ appointment system for driver license renewals and duplicates and provided the following details:
“Since April 12, the Department of Customer Services began offering our new appointment system meant to improve driver licensing services for the public. As a better option to standing in line, residents can now make an appointment and be served at a specific time, ending the familiar long wait in line,” she said. “Walk-in customers will continue to be accommodated at all sites. But as an added service, if more people are waiting than can be served that day, staff will attempt to inform them that they may not reach the window before closing and will assist them in making an appointment. However, customers may stay and wait if they choose to do so.”
The new appointment system is offered at four Satellite City Hall locations: Fort Street Mall Satellite City Hall; Hawaii Kai Satellite City Hall (down as of deadline); Pearlridge Satellite City Hall; and Windward City Satellite City Hall.
Q: How do you make an appointment?
A: “Go to www.honolulu.gov/license and choose the Appointments button (upper left), which will take you to the AlohaQ page.
“Choose Make Appointment and follow the prompts to choose a location, type of service you need (license renewal or duplicate); check to see if you have all of the required documents; and then choose a date on the calendar to see what appointment times may be available on that date. Appointments are available up to one month in advance.
“After choosing an appointment date and time, you must complete the appointment process to get an AlohaQ ticket confirming your appointment. Provide your first name, last name and mobile phone number. A verification number will be sent to your phone, which you will input to the AlohaQ page. Click “Sign Up” and receive a ticket confirming your appointment on screen and by text to your phone.”
Q: Are appointments available by phone, or only online?
A: Online. A person who walks in and faces a long line can make an appointment once they arrive (for that date, if one is available, or for a future date), as long as the person has a personal device, such as a smart phone, on which to make the reservation.
Q: Why was this system put in place?
A: “Appointments have been offered at the Kapalama Hale Driver License office for more than a year as a pilot project. It has been very successful. People appreciate being given an exact time rather than wasting a day standing in line.”
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