The long wait for an ID card

Let’s hope that two to three hours won’t be the norm for residents seeking to obtain state identification cards or driver’s licenses at the city’s five driver’s licensing offices.

That’s how long it took many folks on Wednesday at the city’s Kapalama office — and for some it took even longer.

A city official blamed the long waits on pent-up demand, since the state ID office at 465 S. King St., where people used to go to get their IDs, closed on Dec. 21 and the IDs were unavailable from anywhere until Wednesday.

But if the long lines and waits don’t die down soon, the city must do something, and fast. Fill the two vacant employee positions; speed up the training of other employees — whatever works.

It’s just not right to make people wait in line for hours to receive basic government services.

Downtown Macy’s joins exit parade

The imminent closure of the downtown Macy’s store truly marks the end of an era (another one).

It began in 1850, when Hackfeld’s Dry Goods opened on what later became the Fort Street Mall.

Founded by a German trader, Hackfeld’s was seized as alien property at the height of World War I, sold to a consortium with a patriotic name (American Factors, or Amfac) and then renamed even more patriotically as Liberty House.

Those of a certain age remember the days when that spot at Fort and King streets really was the aim of any downtown Hono-lulu shopping expedition.

Whatever takes its spot now, it seems unlikely to be a department store.

Could a parking structure make more money there?

Perhaps.