Kokua Line: What’s up with new Hawaii license plates?
Question: How did we run out of the new license plates so fast? Didn’t they just start adding the okina this year? Read more
Kokua Line
Kokua Line answers the Hawaii community’s most asked questions. Got a question? Find out how you can submit it to be featured.
Kokua Line: Will all public workers get Social Security bump?
Question: Will all public workers get the Social Security bump? I never applied for Social Security when I retired because of the exclusion, so maybe I should apply now. Read more
Kokua Line: Who do I call to dispose of cats hit by cars?
Question: Even before this last thunderstorm there was a storm where it was pouring rain and the power went out and there were no traffic lights. It was very hard to see driving. The next day it was obvious that cats were fatally hit by cars the night before. This was on the weekend and I didn’t know who to call. Read more
Kokua Line: Did crews clear homeless camps along streams?
Question: Auwe! Letting homeless people get away with living in the drainage canals and under bridges has got to stop. Every time it rains hard, their stuff goes downstream, and then heavy resources are spent cleaning it up. Not to mention the flooding risk when streams are blocked with tents, tarps, shopping carts, etc. Read more
Kokua Line: How do I dispose of old batteries from disaster kit?
Question: Ahead of the storm we checked our disaster kit and found alkaline batteries (Duracell D8) that were best by March 2015. We’re replacing them, but my question is what can we do with the old ones? Read more
Kokua Line: Won’t federal freeze hurt red states, too?
Question: Regarding the Trump administration’s freeze on federal grants, won’t this hurt red states just as bad? Read more
Kokua Line: Is REAL ID enforcement postponed again?
Question: I hear they’re postponing REAL ID again. Is that true? If not, please remind me of the documents required. Read more
Kokua Line: Can police increase video enforcement of fireworks?
House Bill 550 would allow law enforcement to establish probable cause for a fireworks-related arrest based on video recordings “made by a law enforcement agency using, controlling, or operating an unmanned aerial vehicle.” Read more
Kokua Line: How can Las Vegas resident get copy of Hawaii birth certificate?
Question: My son lives in Las Vegas now, but he was born in Hawaii in 1972 and needs to get his birth certificate. How would he go about getting a copy? Read more
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Kokua Line: When will Tax-Aide sites open?
Question: I noticed you ran something last month about Tax-Aide looking for volunteers, but what about the sites for people who need the help doing their taxes? Have those been announced yet? I learned last year that it’s better to call sooner than later for an appointment. Read more
Kokua Line: Any progress on traffic roundabouts?
Question: You’ve written a lot about the Kailua/Lanikai roundabout, but what about the one they are building past Kaneohe? Read more
Kokua Line: What’s in barcode on back of driver’s license?
Question: Can you find out what is on the back of a state ID and driver’s license card? I see a barcode and a mashed symbol. What information is in it, and is it sensitive? An entity is asking me to photo-send it, front and back. Read more
Kokua Line: What number do I call to get a TRO on a person?
Question: What number do I call to get a TRO on a person? Read more
Kokua Line: How do I replace stolen license plate sticker?
Question: How can I replace the vehicle registration sticker that was stolen off my license plate? It doesn’t expire until October! I was hoping I could reprint it at a DMV kiosk but that didn’t work. Read more
Kokua Line: How would water agency handle power shutoff?
Question: Please briefly describe the Honolulu Board of Water Supply’s emergency procedures to keep water pumping for firefighters during a Public Safety Power Shutoff. For example, does BWS have backup generators in place at all times? Whatever the process is, please explain briefly. Read more
Kokua Line: Could power cutoff hinder hydrants?
Question: President Biden said that intentional power outages to prevent more fires in L.A. contributed to the lack of water to fight the fires; without electricity, pumps couldn’t get the water to the hydrants. Could the same thing happen in Hawaii under Hawaiian Electric’s Public Safety Power Shutoff plan? Read more
Kokua Line: When is Social Security pay boost for certain retirees?
There’s no word yet about when this Social Security money will start flowing. Read more
Kokua Line: How do I get rid of automotive oils, fluids?
Question: I change the engine oil, axle oil, gear oil and radiator fluids for our vehicles. I have been putting them in the same plastic gallon container they came in from the store. I do not know where to dispose of them. Read more
Kokua Line: Where can I walk in for passport?
Question: Regarding U.S. passports (808ne.ws/3Pq8Ru9 Opens in a new tab), I can’t renew online because my passport is so old. What about the main library? Is that still an option? Can I walk in? Read more
Kokua Line: What if I already threw away fireworks?
Question: What if we already threw fireworks away? I thought it was OK to put them in the trash after soaking in water overnight, so that’s what we did, same as in 2024. It was only a few, all legal (permitted firecrackers). I don’t see anything contrary on the Hazardous Household Waste website. Read more
Kokua Line: Are flowering mango trees normal?
Question: Why are there so many mango trees with lots of flowers now? It seems very early in the year. Is this normal? Read more
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