Businesses told to answer Economic Census online

Question: I received a notice from the U.S. Census Bureau instructing me to complete a survey online as soon as possible. I have never completed a census survey online. … Is this now a normal way for the U.S. government to take a census survey?

Answer: Yes, in many cases. You did not specify the name of the survey, but the Census Bureau is notifying businesses by regular mail about the Economic Census, which launched May 1 and for the first time is being conducted almost entirely online. Nearly 4 million U.S. business locations are being mailed information about the survey, which is conducted every five years. If your letter is about the Economic Census, it should explain how to access the Respondent Portal online and contain a unique authentication code. For more information, see 808ne.ws/eccen.

Q: Is it true that you can never vote again if you are convicted of a felony?

A: No, not in Hawaii. State law determines an individual’s right to vote in federal, state and local elections. Per Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 831-2, a convicted felon’s right to vote is restored once the person is released from prison, including while on parole or probation; this is the standard used in about 15 states. Only two states — Maine and Vermont — do not restrict felons’ voting rights, while 10 permanently restrict certain felons from voting, according to ProCon.org, which presents information about controversial issues in a nonpartisan format. You can read arguments for and against felons voting at felonvoting.procon.org.

Q: I have two questions about rat lungworm disease. Can you get it more than once? And can you spread it to other people?

A: Yes to the first question and no to the second, according to the state Department of Health, which provides information about the disease at 808ne.ws/­ratlung. Past infection confers no immunity against the disease, which is caused by a roundworm parasite. Humans can be infected when they ingest a raw or undercooked animal that carries the parasite, most commonly snails and slugs. Ingestion may be unintentional, which is why everyone in Hawaii should carefully wash their leafy greens and other fresh vegetables — to avoid accidentally swallowing a slug. The parasites cannot mature or reproduce in humans and will eventually die, but could affect the brain and spinal cord and cause other painful symptoms before they do.

Auwe

Auwe to motorists in the middle, makai-bound lane of Keeaumoku Street, which goes up the ramp to Ala Moana Center, who choose to cross double solid lines on Kapiolani Boulevard to get to the right lane and enter the mall at ground level. They could be in the right (and correct) lane all along, but they don’t want to wait for motorists turning right after pedestrians cross Kapiolani Boulevard. So instead they create an unsafe and illegal lane-change maneuver. There have been many times when cars have cut in front of me in the intersection as I drove straight across from the right lane (near Bank of Hawaii). — B.K.

Mahalo

Mahalo to all the kind people who assisted my mother when she fell on University Avenue near King Street. She mentioned two construction workers who helped her up and picked up the things she had dropped on the sidewalk, as well as others who assisted. Mom was not injured and is doing fine. She was embarrassed and didn’t believe she thanked the kind folks properly, so I am trying to do that on her behalf here. Mahalo to all who helped a kupuna in need. — Grateful daughter

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.