Exemption from jury duty begins at age 80 in Hawaii

Question: I was surprised to get a letter for jury duty. I am 75 years old and in ill health. Can I get a pass?

Answer: Not based solely on age (that exemption begins at age 80), but you can ask to be excused due to a disability or medical condition, according to the state Judiciary. Make the request in writing, and include a letter from a doctor or physician’s assistant certifying the debilitating condition.

According to the Judiciary’s website, “written requests for excusal from jury duty must be mailed to the court listed on the summons and postmarked at least two weeks prior to your appearance date. Include your name, address, home/business/cell phone numbers, email address, date summoned to appear, courtroom number, time, participant and pool numbers. Also include reasons why you are asking to be excused and supporting documents (i.e. airline tickets/itinerary; doctor’s note). The request must be signed by the summoned juror. You will be notified in writing of the court’s decision. If you do not receive a response, your request has not been granted and you are expected to appear in court as summoned.”

The exemption for people 80 and up is optional, not automatic, which means that people in that age range might receive a jury questionnaire. Those who want to exercise the option to be excused from jury service should “state age for question 3 and must shade in bubble 8 for question 7,” according to the Judiciary website. “If you do not claim the exemption when you return your jury questionnaire, you may receive a Juror Summons to serve on a jury.”

Q: I am suddenly getting all these texts on my cellphone that say “someone complimented you!” and direct me to click on a link (which I don’t). I am used to getting spam via email but haven’t gotten so much via text before. Have you gotten other complaints about this?

A: Yes. You are being messaged by the IRL app, which markets itself as a way for socially insecure people to connect with friends “in real life,” in part by allowing them to give compliments anonymously. According to the IRL website, “you received a text message because one of three reasons: one of your friends (who has your phone number in their contacts list) added you as a friend on the app, invited you to something on the app, or nominated you through the app.” Compliments are known as nominations.

Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that helps kids use technology wisely, describes IRL as a risky app that raises serious privacy concerns. Harsher critics call it a data-mining spam app. But its makers insist the app reduces the anxiety of organizing a social event and encourages teenagers to put down their phones and get together in person.

We’ve received several queries about these texts, which most readers said they perceived as spam and did not click through.

Mahalo

Mahalo to the state Public Library System, which includes 51 branches on six islands, including one in my immediate community. If my library doesn’t have a particular book I want, I can borrow it from any of the branches statewide with just a few clicks on my computer, and have it delivered to my library for convenient pickup. This interlibrary borrowing system is a great resource and service for my taxpayer dollars! — Ed from Kapahulu

Mahalo

Mahalo to the dedicated staff at Feather and Fur Animal Hospital for staying open to help pets while the hurricane was approaching. Some of the staff didn’t go home for days so they could help others. I am so grateful and my dog is feeling better. — Liz

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.