Question: I watched the video for teen drivers (808ne.ws/teendrive), but I still have questions. Regarding the required “state-certified driver’s education course,” how long does that take usually, and what do you do if your child’s school doesn’t have driver’s ed?
Answer: The video you mentioned, posted on the city Department of Customer Services’ website, gives the basics of Hawaii’s Graduated Driver Licensing program for drivers under age 18, which advances through three phases: learner’s (instructional) permit, provisional license and full driver’s license. A teenager who obtains a permit at first opportunity (age 15-1/2) could hold a full driver’s license at age 17, as long as they fulfill all the steps in between.
Among those steps are six hours of behind-the-wheel practice and 30 hours of classroom training by a state-certified driving instructor. Driver’s ed courses (in high schools that offer them) are a convenient option, but there are many commercial companies offering this instruction on Oahu. It doesn’t have to be through your child’s school; just confirm beforehand that the instructor is certified by the state.
To get to the crux of your question: By law the 36 hours of state-certified instruction cannot be completed in less than six weeks, said Daniel Kaimi, owner/instructor of A One Driving School in Honolulu. “That’s the minimum,” he said.
The teen also must practice driving for at least 40 hours during the day and 10 hours at night, accompanied by any licensed driver age 21 and up, he said. This practice must be carefully documented, by date, time, duration and description, for an affidavit, he said.
Q: Is there someplace that will take CDs and records? There used to be a record store where you could sell them. I am cleaning out my parents’ home and found many CDs and a few records.
A: Yes. Numerous nonprofits accept such donations. One is the Friends of the Library of Hawaii, which is happy to receive far more than books. As far as music goes, the nonprofit accepts vinyl records and CDs but not cassette tapes, according to its website.
Your donations likely would be sold at one of the nonprofit’s events to raise money that supports Hawaii’s public libraries. The organization’s 10th annual FLH Music & Book Sale is coming up Jan. 19-21 at Washington Middle School, for example.
You may be able to drop off the CDs and records at your local library branch, but be sure to check in advance before bringing in your donation.
Otherwise, you can drop them off at the Friends’ warehouse, 99-1132 Iwaena St. in Aiea (ZIP code 96701, for ease of Google mapping), from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays.
For more information, call 536-4174 or check friendsofthelibraryofhawaii.org.
Q: Regarding the bag fee, does it apply to different kinds of bags, like paper bags and cloth bags, or just to plastic bags? Can they charge more than 15 cents?
A: Yes, Oahu’s bag fee applies to more than plastic bags, and yes, businesses can charge more than 15 cents, which is the minimum fee.
Under the law, Oahu businesses may offer reusable bags, compostable plastic bags or recyclable paper bags at the point of sale for customers to carry their purchases, as long as the business charges at least 15 cents per bag. There are numerous exceptions, such as for bags to transport prepared foods and bakery goods. Customers may use their own bags and pay nothing.
E kala mai
My apologies to the white sedan I cut off Monday while changing lanes to reach the Lunalilo Freeway exit. I have adjusted my side mirror so I can see better now. — A driver
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