Question: Regarding our state tax refunds (see hsblinks.com/2kr): I’ve had the same problem about not being able to find out the status of my refund. Gov. Linda Lingle said refunds would be delayed 90 days; anything after that, the state would owe us interest. If you count the days from April 20, the deadline for filing state returns, that would take you to July 19. The state initially said we should receive our refunds by July 20 and today is July 28. I lost my job and need money. Doesn’t the state owe interest to all of us who haven’t yet received our refunds?

Answer: Exactly when the 90-day time period started and ends is confusing.

The count didn’t necessarily begin April 20, and the delay is not really confined to 90 days. Instead, a lot depends on when a tax return was filed.

Under Section 231-23(d)(1) of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Department of Taxation has 90 days from the due date, or the date a return is filed, whichever is later, to process a refund voucher.

If the refund check is mailed within 45 days from the date his department approves a refund, then no interest is paid, said Stanley Shiraki, acting director of the state Department of Taxation.

Interest would be paid only if either of those time limits is exceeded, he said.

Shiraki said his department approved the payment of all refund vouchers "for timely filed returns as of July 9," and the Department of Accounting and General Services was to send all refunds out by tomorrow.

"These dates are well within the legally allowed time frame, and the payment of interest on the refunds is not required," he said.

Question: How does a person get a Hawaii resident ID card? What documents do we need?

Answer: To get a state ID card on Oahu, go to the State ID Office, 465 S. King St. (at the corner of King and Punchbowl streets), Room 102. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays, except for state holidays and Furlough Fridays.

U.S. citizens must present an original Social Security card and one of the following: a certified birth certificate; a certificate of citizenship or naturalization; a document for a child born abroad of American parents.; or a valid U.S. passport if issued in your legal name.

U.S. nationals and non-U.S. citizens are required to have other documents.

The fee is $15 ($10 for those 65 and older).

For more information go to hsblinks.com/2kh, e-mail stateidQnA@hcjdc.hawaii.gov or call 587-3112.

Auwe

To a dangerous male driver who frequents the Waialae Avenue area. At about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 22, I observed him heading recklessly east on Waialae Avenue, from St. Louis Drive to at least 8th Avenue, weaving in and out of traffic and honking his horn at motorists stopped to make a left turn. He was driving a jacked-up white pickup truck with racks or frames. I’ve encountered him previously tailgating me and other motorists a few months ago in the afternoon. This driver poses a serious danger to other drivers and pedestrians. Police can’t do anything unless they actually witness this person driving dangerously, so I’d like to warn all motorists and pedestrians who travel Waialae Avenue to be on the lookout for this driver for your own safety. People like this idiot driver will not stop until they are arrested or (sadly) kill or injure someone. — David

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 e-mail kokualine@staradvertiser.com.