Kokua Line answers the Hawaii community’s most asked questions. Got a question? Find out how you can submit it to be featured.
Question: There’s a fund to pay people who lost family members in the Maui fires, if they don’t sue. My questions: If a parent died, do all their children have to agree, or could one heir disagree and be left out of the settlement? Also, is this only for U.S. citizens? Read more
Question: When is the next drive-thru recycling? I like that because I don’t have to get out of my car. Read more
Question: What other groups have decal license plates? I rarely see any driving around, compared with the Hokule‘a or volcano plates, which stand out. Read more
Question: Regarding Oahu’s growing homeless population, we often hear about a program that flies people back to the mainland. Read more
Question: Can I get a state ID at a satellite city hall since there’s no testing involved? Read more
Question: Regarding the shaka license plate decal, where would we put this? There’s no room on a regular plate. Read more
Question: Regarding donating lei for Memorial Day ceremonies (808ne.ws/514kline), is it OK to give graduation lei if the flowers are still fresh? Read more
Thousands of dubious income tax returns claiming the Fuel Tax Credit, the Sick and Family Leave Credit or Household Employment taxes have been filed, the IRS says. Read more
Since 2015 the percentage of Oahu’s homeless population that is unsheltered has increased steadily (to 62% from 40%), while the percentage that is sheltered has decreased (to 38% from 60%). Read more
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Thousands of people in Hawaii are ticketed each year, at rates higher than other states, according to a report by the Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice. Read more
Question: Auwe! After exiting Kalanianaole Highway I was turning left onto Kilauea Avenue near Kahala Mall. I had the light, and there was a man standing on the median, seemingly waiting until it was his time to cross. Read more
Question: Regarding memorial flowers for the national cemetery, where and when can we drop off flowers, lei or ti leaf for the annual lei draping? If we sew a lei, how long must it be? Read more
Question: How long will the roadwork take on the viaduct? Will the ramp be closed? Read more
Question: I received an IRS inquiry form via U.S. mail. They want to know whether I am me. Is this for real? It has to do with the 2023 tax-year filing. Read more
Question: It’s been almost a year since the rail started running. Is ridership holding up to the hype of the early days? Read more
Question: In 2023 the state said the bridge in Maili would be done by June. That’s next month, and it’s obvious that’s not going to happen. Read more
Question: Are vehicle owners not being cited for expired safety check stickers anymore? In the past few days I have seen expired safety check stickers with these month/year expiration dates: 03/21, 01/23, 03/23, 08/23, 10/23 and 12/23. And whose job is it to cite these drivers? Read more
If a household needs an extra cart, they can request one for free, within certain parameters. Read more
The online application for the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program is open now. Read more
Most of Oahu’s regular city parks (as opposed to designated dog parks) don’t allow dogs, even on leashes, except for special, permitted events. Of course, this rule is frequently broken. Read more
While taxpayers have a three-year deadline after filing to make corrections or claim refunds, the IRS has 10 years to collect from them for any tax due. Read more
