Kokua Line answers the Hawaii community’s most asked questions. Got a question? Find out how you can submit it to be featured.
Question: I’m an applicant for Medicare’s Extra Help program and they want details about my checking and/or savings account and any stocks, bonds, mutual funds, IRAs, etc. This surprised me. Don’t they need just my Social Security income to qualify me? Read more
Question: I am 88 years of age. Is there an age when I can no longer be issued a Hawaii driver’s license if all other requirements are met? Read more
Question: I saw they are hiring for Summer Fun. When does this program start and when can we sign up our kids? Read more
This catheter scam is so pervasive that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General issued a consumer alert about it last month. Read more
Question: What happened to the Honolulu Police Department’s false-alarm tracking service? I did not get a bill in the mail for my burglar alarm permit renewal charge. Read more
Question: Where can I get a paper application form PA-3 to renew my blue handicap placard? I don’t have a printer at home. Once I get the form, how early can I mail it in? Read more
Question: Now that the city is finally taking action on the Stairway to Heaven, is the Natatorium next? Read more
Question: Please print the locations for the drug take-back. Both myself and my son have chronic illnesses that our doctors are trying new medications to control, so we have a few unused prescriptions and I don’t like having this other stuff around for a variety of reasons. Read more
Question: My grandson needs financial aid for college and he goes online each year to submit a form and never had trouble until now Read more
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Question: For the second time, a local doctor’s office is using deceptive billing practices with my mom, who has Medicare Advantage health insurance. It’s infuriating. Where can I report this deeply unethical and possibly illegal behavior? Read more
Question: Does the state have plans to maintain the asphalt on the Makapu‘u Point Lighthouse Trail that cost us taxpayers a lot of money to repair? Read more
Question: My mom received a settlement check from the Kalima v. State of Hawai‘i class action lawsuit. She has not received any other document, including a 1099, that indicates any state or federal taxes she might have to pay. Does that mean she doesn’t have to report the money? Read more
Question: Since March, there have been no contraflow lanes on Ward Avenue (right three lanes to Beretania Street) during morning peak traffic. The contraflow lanes did help ease the morning traffic on Ward, allowing a lane to stop at the light to turn left on Kinau Street and having two lanes have a clear access to Beretania. Will the contraflow lanes return? If yes, when? Read more
Question: I understand the need to protect the honu nests at Bellows, but it doesn’t make sense that the general public is more threatening than the military. Read more
Question: If jury duty paid more (808ne.ws/327Kline) maybe so many people wouldn’t try so hard to get out of it. My boss didn’t pay me when I missed work for jury duty and the court pay wasn’t close to the work pay I lost. Read more
Mililani Mauka’s public water supply is fine, in quantity and quality, a Board of Water Supply spokesperson says. Read more
Question: When the DMV is open on a Saturday, must I have an appointment or can I walk in? I am the caregiver for both my parents and it’s very difficult to make an appointment for anything because I never know what family emergency will arise. But I do need to renew my driver’s license. Read more
Question: Does the signature on title of ownership transfer for vehicles have to be signed in front of a DMV employee? When selling or turning over the vehicle, must the signature of ownership be signed in person or can the person sign it due to not being able to go to DMV in person due to being incapacitated? Read more
Hawaiian Electric has urged all Hawaii-island customers to conserve energy through the month of April to avoid rolling blackouts while large generators are offline. Read more
Question: Regarding the IRS extension for income taxes in the wildfire zones (808ne.ws/kline328), is that for state taxes too? Read more
Question: Will the IRS extend the income tax-filing deadline for Maui fire victims? Read more
