Kokua Line answers the Hawaii community’s most asked questions. Got a question? Find out how you can submit it to be featured.
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
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
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
Question: You’ve written a lot about the Kailua/Lanikai roundabout, but what about the one they are building past Kaneohe? Read more
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
Question: What number do I call to get a TRO on a person? Read more
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
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
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
Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It's FREE!
There’s no word yet about when this Social Security money will start flowing. Read more
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
Question: Regarding U.S. passports (808ne.ws/3Pq8Ru9), 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
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
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
Question: Is the state doing a health survey? I don’t usually answer calls from noncontacts but I made a mistake and picked up and it was something about health and I hung up thinking it was a scam. They called again but I didn’t answer. Can you check if this is legit? Read more
Question: I heard on the news that pedestrian fatalities rose in 2024. Do you know how many of those involved homeless people who were lying in the road? Read more
Question: I’m a renter with a pretty good landlord so when my year’s lease expired I continued on a month-to-month basis because I wasn’t sure how much longer I would stay. Now I am ready to move out and I gave two month’s notice but my landlord says he needs three months. Is this required? Read more
Question: How will I know if I am getting the extra stimulus payment? When would I get it? Do I have to submit a form? Read more
Question: Regarding new rules at community gardens (808ne.ws/3BSivCy), I have some questions as I am one who could be considered in violation although I do have good reasons for neglecting my plot (ill health). Will there be a grace period in terms of cutting back overgrowth and removing trees that are no longer allowed? Also, why are they saying no trees? Last, will they enforce against the feeding of feral cats? Read more
Question: Regarding the new online test to get a driver’s permit (808ne.ws/4fv1GuY), my grandson had the correct computer to take the test but it couldn’t verify him so he will have to go to the DMV to take it anyway. I wish we had known this could happen so he could have made an appointment and not wasted time trying over and over. Read more
