Kokua Line answers the Hawaii community’s most asked questions. Got a question? Find out how you can submit it to be featured.
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
Question: We saw two mopeds parking at a single meter on the street. Is this legal? My son (who was driving me in his car) was glad because they took up only one parking space, but I wondered whether each vehicle is supposed to pay the meter. Read more
Question: Regarding Social Security, if I am already receiving my monthly payment (I have been for years), am I going to have to do any of this new ID verification stuff you’ve been writing about? I am not online and don’t intend to be. Read more
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Question: What is the schedule for the lane closures on the H-1 eastbound that made traffic so bad? Read more
Question: Regarding the drive-thru e-waste recycling events, do they ever hold those in town? The last one was in Waianae, which was too far for me. Read more
Appointments are typically scheduled two to four weeks out, according to the agency’s website, but first you have to get through on the phone to make the appointment. Read more
Question: I’ve read about the necessity for measles vaccines for children, but what about those of us who got our measles vaccine many years ago? Is it necessary for adults to get a booster? I will be traveling internationally in April and May, so I would like to be properly set up before I go if this is what is recommended. Read more
Question: Auwe! You already can’t walk into the Social Security office (appointment needed) and now they are going to limit phone calls? This is getting ridiculous! Read more
Can anyone explain why our government is reluctant to remove feral chickens that move into our community (for example, at Kaiser and McKinley high schools, UH Manoa, etc.)? Read more
Are ride-share drivers required to pay GET in Hawaii? Read more
Question: Regarding the $1 billion in unclaimed tax refunds, how much of that is in Hawaii? Read more
Question: Regarding Oahu’s new flood map, the city says you can appeal if your property is placed in a high-risk zone and you have to get flood insurance because of that. Is hardship a grounds for appeal? Read more
Question: I nearly got hit by a car on Kapiolani Boulevard by the mall. Read more
Question: Both of the short tunnels on Pali Highway are in the dark, and the sign announcing the outage has also gone missing. I’ll refrain from smart-aleck remarks, but this seems a serious situation that needs attention. Do the responsible folks know and have a plan to fix it? Read more
