Question: On June 18, I went to the downtown satellite city hall to renew my driver’s license. I read the "acceptable documents" list on the city’s website — www1.honolulu.gov/csd/vehicle/dlrequirements.htm — many times and had all the necessary documents: Social Security card, Medicare card, state ID, medical eye exam slip, current driver’s license. But when I approached the clerk, she asked, "Do you have a passport?" I do, but didn’t have it with me. I was told I needed it to prove legal presence. I was surprised because their official website listed "State ID with photo" as proof of legal presence every time I checked. But I was handed a paper listing the acceptable documents, with the state ID card only acceptable for legal name and date of birth. I checked the website again and saw that on June 20, "U.S. Passport" was substituted for "state ID card." Coincidence? When I returned to the satellite city hall with my passport, an employee began checking the documents of people standing in line. In the 30 minutes I was there, five of 10 people were told they did not have the proper documents and were turned away. There was no list of acceptable documents posted anywhere. Why don’t they post it where people can check it before waiting in a long line?
Answer: The state ID card was removed as proof of legal presence on the website as soon as officials were made aware of the error, said Dennis Kamimura, administrator of the city Motor Vehicle & Licensing Division.
(Kamimura and you both told us that he personally apologized for the error and time you wasted, in his response to your email.)
State ID cards are not accepted because not all meet the federal Legal Presence Act requirements.
Kamimura said the state ID office only recently "began scanning documents and verifying legal presence through the federal verification program."
Because of that, he said, "I think it would be more confusing to the public" to accept state ID cards issued on or after a certain date, but not earlier cards.
"Perhaps several years in the future when more state ID cards have been issued after scanning and verification," those cards can be deemed acceptable documents, he said.
Meanwhile, signs with the updated state Department of Transportation checklist of acceptable documents have been ordered and will be placed near the application forms, he said.
Bigger signs that can be viewed by people waiting in line also have been ordered.
The city recently received additional copies of the DOT’s legal presence brochures, which are available at all driver’s licensing stations.
"The brochures will be updated as necessary based upon input from the public or changes in federal guidance," Kamimura said.
Question: What appears to be a dislodged TV service box has been swinging from utility lines for months, in front of Century Center, 2050 Kalakaua Ave. It appears to be about 20 to 30 pounds and could cause serious damage/injury to cars and pedestrians when it eventually falls. Can you let Oceanic Cable know about this?
Answer: The dangling "box" belonged to Hawaiian Telcom, which you confirmed removed it immediately after we forwarded your concern.
"This out-of-service terminal (which was not connected to TV service) is believed to have become dislodged during an ongoing pole/facilities relocation project that involves multiple parties," said Hawaiian Telcom spokeswoman Ann Nishida. "As it remained anchored to the aerial cable, the terminal was not believed to be in danger of falling."
Nishida said people may report concerns related to outside plant facilities/-equipment to Hawaiian Telcom by calling its 24-Hour Service Center at 643-6111 or sending an email to residentialrepair@hawaiian-tel.com.
"A brief description, location details and photos are helpful and appreciated," Nishida said.
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