Question: I will be renewing my driver’s license, so the city sent me a card saying I had to prove my Social Security number and show one of seven documents as evidence of lawful status. It didn’t include the state ID card. I called Wahiawa Satellite City Hall and was told the state ID card was not acceptable. This didn’t make sense, so I called the state and was told it was acceptable. I then called the city Motor Vehicles Division, and they said it was acceptable. I asked why it wasn’t on the list and was told there are so many things that are acceptable that they couldn’t list them all. People are getting confused. Can you let everyone know what they can show to get a driver’s license?

Answer: This is a good reminder that the state’s Legal Presence Act takes effect Monday, requiring anyone applying for or renewing a Hawaii driver’s license to show proof of identity, legal presence in the United States and Social Security number.

Among the documents accepted as proof of birth date and legal name are a state ID card, birth certificate, valid/unexpired U.S. passport and driver’s license from another state. For proof of Social Security, documents accepted include the original Social Security card, Medicare card and tax forms showing your Social Security number.

“The postcard cannot possibly list all the alternative documents that a person may submit to prove their identity, legal presence and Social Security number,” said Dennis Kamimura, administrator of the city Motor Vehicle and Licensing Division.

Instead, he directed people to the city’s website — www1.honolulu.gov/csd/vehicle/dlrequirements.htm — and the state Department of Transportation’s website — hawaii.gov/dot/hawaiis-legal-presence-law.

The postcard also lists the numbers of all county driver’s license offices. On Oahu it’s 532-7730.

All documents must be valid originals or certified copies; no photocopies or fax copies will be accepted.

Democratic Presidential Poll

To take part in the Hawaii Democratic Party Presidential Preference Poll March 7, you are asked to register at your polling place between 6 and 7 p.m.

In the Feb. 24 “Kokua Line,” we said Democrats were holding precinct meetings to elect leaders and delegates to the state convention, as well as hold a presidential preference poll, from 6 to 8 p.m. that day.

But those wishing to vote in the poll should note that voting will take place “precisely” at 7 p.m., said Chuck Freedman, spokesman for the state party.

Voting will be held only for 30 minutes, unless it cannot be completed in that time because of crowd size, as happened in 2008, he said. The voting period will be extended if needed.

You must be a registered voter and registered Democrat to participate. Registration can be done that evening. For precinct sites, go to is.gd/8Bi41P.

Mahalo

To a special person. I was driving to Honolulu on Pali Highway from Kailua when my car engine died. I managed to park on the shoulder next to the Japanese temple, raised my hood and hoped someone would give me a battery boost. Dozens of cars passed by. I took out my walking cane, hoping it might help get attention. Sure enough, a white pickup stopped, and Pat asked if I needed help. He hooked up my jumper cables, but after I tried several times, my car still wouldn’t start. Pat then called for a tow truck. Then he tried to start the car, and it started! He immediately called to cancel the tow. I asked my savior his name. He just wrote down “Pat.” I told him how much I appreciated his helping a stranger. He said he was happy to help. I told him I wanted to go back to Kailua after my ordeal. To my utter surprise, he said he would follow me to make sure I wouldn’t be stuck again. I tried to convince him to go on, then offered to pay him, but he refused and followed me back to Kailua. — R.K.

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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.