Kokua Line answers the Hawaii community’s most asked questions. Got a question? Find out how you can submit it to be featured.
Question: While trying to create a “My Social Security” account online, I was able to get through the first step of making an account on login.gov Opens in a new tab, but when I got to the Social Security portion, it wouldn’t let me continue. Could this because of the fraud alert on my credit report? Read more
Question: Regarding the Halawa Interchange closures, will that be all day? Read more
Question: I called Social Security and was on hold for a long time and finally hung up without speaking to anyone, but then about a week later I got an email about my benefit statement. Read more
Question: I added my Hawaii REAL ID driver’s license to my Apple Wallet but can’t get through all the steps for it to be verified as a digital ID I can use at the airport. One problem is that I’m told to input a verification code, but I don’t have a code. Was that supposed to come from Apple? Read more
Question: The state of Hawaii issues a noncompliant driver’s license or ID for people who can’t get or don’t want to get a REAL ID with the gold star. Do other states do this? Read more
Question: Regarding the emergency rule suspending the religious exemption for the MMR vaccine for 120 days to prevent a measles outbreak in Hawaii, where can we read the full emergency rule? Will K-12 students with religious exemptions who don’t get the MMR vaccine be kept out of school? Read more
Question: Does anybody know how many feral cats there are on Oahu? Read more
Question: Regarding the SAVE Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship before someone can register to vote, if this passes would a current Hawaii REAL ID be enough proof? I don’t have a passport. Also, would this affect people already registered to vote? Read more
Question: Auwe! I wanted to apply for my Social Security online but couldn’t create an online account (technical difficulties). I would call even if I had to stay on hold for hours, but what’s the point if they’re not letting people file over the phone? Grrrr! Read more
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Question: When will the Ward Village to Kewalo Basin pedestrian overpass open? I read online it was supposed to have opened in January, but I just went there and it’s still closed. Read more
Question: I saw on the news that they are finally reopening Ho‘omaluhia fishing and you make a reservation online. Is that required? I can’t plan too far ahead with my grandkids. Read more
Question: I received an unusual email, supposedly from the IRS. I think it is a scam, but since usually I have filed my taxes by now, I’m not sure if it’s something they send to procrastinators and that’s why I’ve never seen it before. Read more
If a parent doesn’t vaccinate their child for measles and gets a religious exemption, does that exemption guarantee the child will be allowed to go to school if there is a measles outbreak? Read more
Question: Regarding the city’s new emergency alert system (808ne.ws/4hXjTmt Opens in a new tab), my Android phone works great with the city’s old HNL.Info app. Read more
Question: Please say when there will be another gun buyback. We are slowly cleaning out our parents’ property now that they have both passed away and there is a lot of stuff we need to get rid of, including some guns that I have no information on. Read more
Question: Along Moenamanu Street in Mililani, fronting Kipapa playground, there is a growing pile of illegally dumped items. There are two sofas, one mattress, and the newest addition is a toilet! Read more
Question: With the newly implemented website for teens taking the driver’s permit written test online, why is the next available appointment for in-person written testing so far out, approximately three months? Read more
The increase would go to the Hawai‘i Cancer Research special fund while simultaneously making it more expensive to buy cigarettes across the islands, with the goal of reducing cancer rates. Read more
Question: Regarding the red-light cameras that also catch speeders, what is the threshold over the speed limit at which a warning will be issued? Read more
Question: Last week California authorities put out a consumer alert saying residents had the right to delete their genetic data stored by the company 23andMe, which has filed for bankruptcy. Does that only apply in California? Read more
Question: Since you have been writing about ID-proofing at Social Security, I wanted to share that I got a letter from the Hawaii tax department requiring me to verify my identity before I could receive my income tax refund. Is everyone getting these letters? Read more
