Christine Donnelly | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Kokua Line: Why must people wait in sun, rain for airport pickup?

Christine Donnelly — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Why is there no canopy over the Uber and Lyft ride pickup median at the Honolulu airport? Visitors and residents are left to stand in the sun or rain while waiting for their app rides. TheBus riders, too, I believe.

Kokua Line: Why does DMV take old license before mailing new one?

Christine Donnelly — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: When renewing a Hawaii driver’s license, why can’t we keep our old license while we’re waiting for the new plastic license in the mail, which takes weeks? The temporary paper license the DMV issues at renewal isn’t acceptable by the TSA and even an expired plastic license would be (as long as it expired less than a year ago). Besides, a lot of people renew their license well before it expires so there is life left on the old license.

Kokua Line: Is UH warning foreign students about returning to U.S.?

Christine Donnelly — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: My son goes to USC, and he said foreign students who plan to go home for winter break are being told to be back on campus before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Is UH telling its foreign students anything like this?

Kokua Line: Why isn’t cellphone OK for online test to drive?

Christine Donnelly — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: To get a driver learner’s permit, you can take the written test online. But you can’t do it on a cell phone. Why? We do everything on our phones. The IRS even lets you file your taxes on your phone.

Kokua Line: Why can homeless people dominate park’s pavilion?

Christine Donnelly — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Is the pavilion at Old Stadium Park made available on a first-come, first-served basis? Is that why homeless people and their unleashed, constantly barking dogs are able to stay there throughout the day and night, day to day? They use fireworks at night continuing through the holidays. HPD is there probably checking for drugs. When is the pavilion available for others?

Kokua Line: What’s the process to report food poisoning?

Christine Donnelly — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: What is the correct procedure to inform a restaurant about an apparent case of food poisoning? Should I call? Show up in person? I’d like to know whether anyone else had a problem. How do I report it?

Kokua Line: How can I cash ruined savings bond?

Christine Donnelly — Sun, 08 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: I recently found my U.S. savings bonds in a safe but unfortunately the bonds were covered in mildew and parts of them were eaten away. The serial numbers are still visible and intact. Is there anywhere where I can take them to be cashed out?

Kokua Line: How do I get refund from Harris Jewelry?

Christine Donnelly — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Did Harris Jewelry ever have stores in Hawaii?

Kokua Line: Will Re-use Hawai‘i and HNL Tool Library reopen?

Christine Donnelly — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Will the HNL Tool Library ever reopen? It closed when Re-use Hawai‘i closed in August.

Kokua Line: Where are the Christmas parades?

Christine Donnelly — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: What is the schedule for Honolulu City Lights? We have guests coming in who might enjoy it. Also, where can we find information about other Christmas parades?

Kokua Line: Is Postal Service Christmas mailer correct?

Christine Donnelly — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Are the Christmas ship-by dates in the Postal Service mailer correct? I thought Hawaii was earlier.

Kokua Line: Does Social Security office require appointment?

Christine Donnelly — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: I heard you cannot walk into the Social Security office anymore. Is this true? I have a problem that I need help with as the instructions in the mail did not make sense to me. I planned to go to the office but my friend said to check first.

Kokua Line: When is town hall on higher sewer fees?

Christine Donnelly — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: At least before the Board of Water Supply raised water rates, they had a bunch of community meetings where people could vent their concerns. This plan for the big sewer fee increase from the city came out of nowhere as far as I am concerned.

Kokua Line readers give thanks for helpful community

Christine Donnelly — Thu, 28 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

On Thanksgiving Day, we devote Kokua Line to readers’ expressions of gratitude, keeping up a tradition that we hope connects readers to Hawaii, to one another and to this column. Throughout the year, readers remind us that even the smallest kindness resonates — this holiday collection is another way to say “thank you” to all those who strive to “live aloha,” whether or not their goodness ever is acknowledged in print.

Kokua Line: Why couldn’t Canadian friends go to Bellows?

Christine Donnelly — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: I am retired military and tried to get onto Bellows with two Canadian friends, and they were denied entry. What’s happening? Is that the same for all island military bases?

Kokua Line: Does TSA still enforce rule against liquids?

Christine Donnelly — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: I am the opposite of a frequent flyer — I haven’t gone anywhere in years. Does the TSA still have the liquids rule? I have new prescriptions I want to carry with me and can’t risk putting in a checked bag. I am flying to California to see family for Thanksgiving and beyond. I’d rather not have to try to refill prescriptions there.

Kokua Line: Will recycling event have document shredding?

Christine Donnelly — Sun, 17 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: There usually was a free shredding event in Aiea in the fall. Did I miss it?

Kokua Line: What registration fees come due on exempt vehicle?

Christine Donnelly — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: If I buy a car from an active- duty military member who is exempt from Hawaii vehicle weight taxes, will I have to pay those registration fees when I transfer the title? I’m not in the military.

Kokua Line: How do I appeal back taxes on unregistered car?

Christine Donnelly — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Recently it was printed that if you buy a car from someone who didn’t keep the registration up to date the new owner has to pay the back taxes to register the car (https://808ne.ws/3US7xTX). It said appeals are possible. How do I file an appeal?

Kokua Line: Don’t fall for COLA scam that targets retirees

Christine Donnelly — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: This is my first year on Social Security. Do I have to update any forms to get the COLA? I think this is a scam, but I thought I should check.

Kokua Line: Will monthly or annual HOLO cost rise for adults?

Christine Donnelly — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: The city said its proposed transit fare hike doesn’t include any increases for HOLO card riders in the adult category, but it also said the monthly pass rate for adults would go up. My adult monthly pass is a HOLO card! Would it go up or not? I only ride TheBus.

Kokua Line: How much will Ala Wai bridge cost?

Christine Donnelly — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Regarding the proposed Ala Wai bridge, how much is that going to cost? Also, will you print where and when the public meetings are?

Kokua Line: Is Honolulu Police Department survey anonymous?

Christine Donnelly — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Do the police take your name in the new survey?

Kokua Line: What’s up with Ala Wai pedestrian bridge?

Christine Donnelly — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: The pedestrian and bike bridge going over the Ala Wai Canal has surprisingly been totally out of the news. Is the project still a go? I hope so.

Kokua Line: Must sewer system be self-sufficient?

Christine Donnelly — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Regarding Oahu’s proposed sewer fee hikes, why can’t the wastewater division receive funding from the city’s general fund to offset the impact on customers? Is self-sufficiency required by law? If yes, which law? Or has this been the general practice, but not written in stone? Could ENV seek general funds from the city to offset this increase?

Kokua Line: Is there grace period for expired license?

Christine Donnelly — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Is there a grace period for an expired license?

Kokua Line: Will Ala Moana Boulevard get more right-turn arrows?

Christine Donnelly — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: The Oct. 18 column (808ne.ws/4ebVEyQ) mentions only one intersection getting the right-turn green arrow onto Ala Moana Boulevard, but there are others that need it too. Will an arrow be installed at other intersections where right on red is no longer allowed? Or might the DOT revert to right-turn-on-a-red light being allowed at any of the intersections along Ala Moana Boulevard where they took it away?

Kokua Line: How will youth climate council be filled?

Christine Donnelly — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Regarding the new youth climate council, will everyone who volunteers get to be on this, or is there a selection process? If the latter, what is the basis for selection?

Kokua Line: How does Hawaii rank on Halloween DUIs?

Christine Donnelly — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Please remind people to drive safely on Halloween, all day and all night, because there will be so many drivers rushing home from work to get their kids ready to go out trick-or-treating and then at night there will be lots of kids out on the streets. They need to act safely too but the drivers can be deadly. I am thinking about this after reading Sunday’s paper.

Kokua Line: Where can I recycle TVs and other e-waste?

Christine Donnelly — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Where can I get rid of an old TV where they will at least try to recycle it? I don’t want it just going straight into the trash.

Kokua Line: How did debris clog Ala Wai Canal?

Christine Donnelly — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Auwe! Saturday was a shocking day at the Ala Wai Canal. Huge amounts of tree debris and garbage were floating rapidly in the brown water toward the ocean! Such a sad day for boaters, the Genki Ala Wai Project and ocean life. Please clear the debris upstream, because it does not just float “away.”

Kokua Line: Can I submit ballot after messy spill?

Christine Donnelly — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Can I still submit my ballot if something was spilled on it? My kids spilled ice cream on my ballot. I’m wondering if that would affect its ability to run through the machine?

Kokua Line: Why can’t I get extra trash cart?

Christine Donnelly — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: How can I get another garbage bin? My daughter’s family has moved in with us permanently, and we can’t depend on the neighbors forever.

Kokua Line: Did bill to forgive lapsed car registration pass?

Christine Donnelly — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Regarding motor vehicle registration renewal, did that bill that forgives five years or so of lapsed registration pass?

Kokua Line: How many properties affected in new flood-risk map?

Christine Donnelly — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Regarding the new Oahu flood map, how many properties does this affect?

Kokua Line: Must I renew own car registration?

Christine Donnelly — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: If a person is temporarily incapacitated (from illness, not a car accident), can a friend renew their car registration for them? Otherwise it will be late.

Kokua Line: Will my home need flood insurance?

Christine Donnelly — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Regarding the new flood map, will I be notified if I must get flood insurance? I have no idea how to read/operate that map.

Kokua Line: What’s being done for right turns onto Ala Moana Boulevard?

Christine Donnelly — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Auwe! It used to be drivers knew they could turn right on red, but now there are so many contrary signs drivers are confused and traffic is worse! It seems like drivers aren’t turning right on red even when it’s allowed. I’m tired of sitting behind cars that could go.

Kokua Line: What does data breach notice mean?

Christine Donnelly — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: I received mail from an apparent health care company called Change advising me of a data breach. But I’ve never used this company and my health care is under a different company. Have you heard of any data breach involving a company called Change?

Kokua Line: When is prescription drug disposal event?

Christine Donnelly — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 10:05:00 +0000

Question: Isn’t there usually a drug drive-thru disposal in October? I checked the opioid website, and they have information from 2023.