QUESTION: A segment on local TV evening news on Friday seemed to raise further confusion as to what documents are accepted for the new Hawaii driver’s licenses, specifically as they apply to married women who changed their names. The TV commentary seemed to indicate that any woman who is or has been married must provide a marriage certificate regardless of presenting other approved documents proving “legal presence." The state Department of Transportation website appears to indicate an additional document such as a marriage certificate would be needed ONLY if documents being presented have a different name from a current driver’s license or among the documents presented. Therefore, if one has a current Hawaii driver’s license, current U.S. passport and Social Security card all in the same name, it should not be necessary to also present a marriage certificate. Would this be correct?
ANSWER: Yes.
More than a month and a half since the state began requiring proof of “legal presence” in applying for or renewing driver’s licenses, there still is confusion as to what documents are needed.
A valid U.S. passport is accepted as proof of legal presence, as is a birth certificate and certain other documents.
“If you are renewing your driver’s license and presenting a U.S. passport and Social Security card with the same name as your driver’s license, no other documents are necessary,” said Dennis Kamimura, administrator of the city’s Motor Vehicle and Licensing Division. “Your U.S. passport provides proof of name, date of birth and legal presence, and your Social Security card provides proof of Social Security number for the same named individual.”
To try to eliminate the confusion, Kamimura said the city will be amending the license renewal notice beginning with the May mailing by deleting this line: “For more information, go to http://hawaii.gov/dot/hawaiis-legal-presence-law Opens in a new tab.”
In its place will be this sentence: “If your name on the documents being presented is different, please visit http://hawaii.gov/dot/hawaiis-legal-presence-law Opens in a new tab for acceptable documents required for proof of name change.”
QUESTION: Besides the Ala Wai Canal and the ocean, what are the boundaries of the Waikiki Special District referred to in Tuesday’s “Kokua Line”?
ANSWER: The Ala Wai Canal delineates the mauka and Ewa boundaries of the Waikiki Special District.
Other boundary lines are along Ala Moana Boulevard, Holomoana Street (behind the Hawaii Prince Hotel), the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor, then offshore from the Hilton Hawaiian Village to Kapahulu Avenue.
Interestingly, the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Shell, Waikiki Aquarium and Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium are outside of the Waikiki Special District. They are part of the Diamond Head Special District.
The city’s land use ordinance has established seven special districts. In addition to Waikiki and Diamond Head, they are Hawaii Capital, Punchbowl, Chinatown, Thomas Square/Honolulu Academy of Arts and Haleiwa.
MAHALO
To a very special gentleman. On March 12, after my husband and I went to the Navy commissary, I noticed that my gold ring was not on my finger. I called the lost-and-found department and was told that a ring had not been turned in but to check back. The ring had such a sentimental value attached to it. We retraced our steps to no avail. But before leaving I checked with lost-and-found again. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw my ring, which had been turned in by an honest man. May he be blessed with everything he deserves. (While shopping at Macy’s in Hilo, my husband found a gold earring. We hope whoever lost that earring got it back.) — Nan
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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.
