Question: Can you explain who can vote in the upcoming Hawaii caucuses for president? I heard that you can sign up at the polling places to vote. This year I do not think the Democrats are having one since President Obama is running for re-election, so may we vote in the Republican caucus, and where do we go?
Answer: Both the Democratic and Republican parties in Hawaii will hold presidential polls in March to determine who delegates to their respective national conventions will support as the presidential nominees.
The Democrats will hold precinct meetings, in which grass-roots leaders and delegates to the state convention will be elected, as well as a presidential preference poll, from 6 to 8 p.m. March 7.
You must be a registered voter and party member to take part in the elections and poll. If you are not one or the other, you will be able to register to vote and/or sign up for the party at the precinct meetings.
To find precinct locations, go to www4.honolulu.gov/ vote or call 596-2980.
There are Democratic challengers to Obama, although none is considered to be a serious contender.
The state Republican Party will hold its first grass-roots presidential caucus 6 to 8 p.m. March 13 in each of the 51 state House districts.
"Any (registered) voter in Hawaii can participate; all they have to do is bring their photo ID, come to the location for their district and fill out a party card right there on the spot," said Andrew Walden, presidential caucus chairman.
If you are not registered to vote, you can register that day.
The candidates on the ballot in Hawaii will be Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.
The presidential caucuses will not be "mass meetings," but rather "a party-run primary election."
The votes will determine how many of Hawaii’s delegates to the Republican National Convention each candidate will get, and it will be "proportional, not winner take all," Walden said.
For more information, including locations of voting places, go to www.gophawaii.com/2012-presidential-caucus, or contact Walden at 640-4782 or email uhhcr@email.com.
Question: A few years ago, Kokua Line published a list of organizations or agencies receiving donations of used or unwanted items. Would you be able to publish an updated list? I have a used stereo set as well as old TV sets. I also have used kitchen wares that may be of use to others.
Answer: The city has a comprehensive listing of numerous groups and organizations in the community that would welcome donations.
Go to www.opala.org/ solid_waste/archive/Reuse.html.
The listings include organizations to which you can donate items such as clothing, small appliances and furnishings, and kitchen and household goods; organizations that will pick up items in good condition also are listed.
It tells you what you can do with old electronics and what you can donate to the Friends of the Library of Hawaii, the Hawaiian
Humane Society, Re-Use Hawaii, ReStore, Freecycle Honolulu, Baseyard
Hawaii and Aloha Shares Network.
Aloha Shares, for example, accepts new, surplus and used materials to pass on to nonprofits and schools.
Mahalo
To the person responsible for turning in my purse, which was left in the restroom of the Wahiawa Hongwanji Mission on Feb. 4. Your honesty and trustworthy character: priceless!
— G. De Guzman
Auwe
To the woman texting with two hands and not holding on to the steering wheel while driving a Toyota van on Moanalua Freeway north to the H-2 at about 7 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. I tooted my horn at her, but she did not hear it.
— Michael
