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Question: I’m calling about a person who’s driving around in a Jeep with an illegal veteran’s license plate. He’s not a veteran. He’s never been in the military. Whom do I call, or can you help get him to remove his license plate?
Answer: The license plate in question is not illegal.
It is not a special veteran plate, but one with the “America United” decal that is available to the general public, said Sheri Kajiwara, director of the Department of Customer Services.
The “America United” decal has a red, white and blue background and was issued following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
It is one of the decals offered as part of the city’s “organization license plate/decal program,” which was created by the state Legislature in 1999 as a way to allow nonprofit organizations to raise funds.
The “America United” decal was created by the city in response to the 9/11 attacks and does not support any nonprofit. So there is no additional organizational plate/decal fee going to support any group. (See www1.honolulu.gov/csd/vehicle/mvdecal.htm for more information.)
The veteran plate, on the other hand, is a “specialty license plate” issued by the city. To qualify, an applicant must provide strict proof of eligibility and certification from the U.S. Veterans Affairs or State of Hawaii Office of Veterans Services, Kajiwara said.
In addition, other documentation may be required depending on the specific type of plate being requested. The choices, as specified in Section 249-9.2 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, are Combat Veteran, Combat Wounded, Former Prisoner of War, Gold Star Family, Korean Veteran, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Persian Gulf Veteran, Vietnam Veteran and World War II Veteran.
A registered owner may be fined for using a veteran plate that has not been registered to the assigned vehicle, Kajiwara said.
She also pointed out it is a misdemeanor to falsify government documents.
Suspected fraudulent use of a veteran plate along with documentation or other physical evidence can be reported by calling the city Division of Motor Vehicle, Licensing and Permits at 532-4325.
Question: If I was selected to win the $7,000 a week for life from Publishers Clearing House, is it legal for me to accept the prize? I’m sure there are many local people who participate in Publishers Clearing House’s many games.
Answer: According to the Honolulu Police Department, if no purchase is necessary, “then it’s not gambling.”
In this case, Publisher’s Clearing House says you do not need to purchase a magazine to enter the sweepstakes.
“Because there’s no end to the variations of gambling, lotteries, sweepstakes, etc., this will be our last word on the subject,” HPD spokeswoman Michelle Yu told Kokua Line, responding to the latest question regarding gambling.
If the public has further questions, she suggests checking the state gambling laws or consulting an attorney. The gambling laws can be found in the Hawaii Revised Statutes: 1.usa.gov/PYwSbf.
HPD has explained to Kokua Line previously that, under state law, it is illegal gambling if three elements are present: consideration, chance and reward. Consideration is when you have to purchase or pay for something; chance is involved if winners are randomly picked; and reward, when something of value is given.
MAHALO
To the postwoman who delivers the mail along Hoohoihoi Place in Pearl City. On a rainy Saturday I thought at first that we did not have any mail at all after I saw her driving past our house. When I checked my mailbox, which contained some mail, I saw her up the street, where she was literally running around parked cars to assure everyone got their mail. She apparently had parked below my house and had parked again farther up the street. Obviously, she is a conscientious worker, and I want to express my gratitude for her hard work. — Hoohoihoi Place resident
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
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