Question: I am 80 years old, and my driver’s license will be expiring in a few weeks. I have decided to not renew it as my eyes are giving me problems. Do I need to get a state ID, or can I use my expired driver’s license as identification when required anywhere?
Answer: An expired license is not considered a valid form of identification for government purposes, and many private enterprises impose the same standard. Replacing your driver’s license with a state ID makes sense, since you’ll need a current picture ID to pass through airport security, open a bank account, get a document notarized and complete many other tasks.
The city’s Department of Customer Services has a step-by-step list of how to obtain a state ID, which you can read at 808ne.ws/stateidlist and which we’ll also summarize:
You must go to a city Driver Licensing Center to obtain your ID; satellite city halls do not issue them.
Bring your application and documents that prove your legal name (such as a birth certificate, U.S. passport or marriage certificate), date of birth (birth certificate, U.S. passport or driver’s license), Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2 form or 1099 form), that you are in the United States legally (birth certificate or U.S. passport) and that Hawaii is your principal residence (two documents are required, such as a voter registration card, pay stub, utility bill or bank statement).
All documents must be originals or certified copies; faxes and notarized copies are not accepted.
The ID costs $40 and lasts eight years.
The website mentioned previously has links to the blank application, an interactive guide to ensure that you bring the correct paperwork and a list of locations that issue the state ID.
You also may call 768-9100 for a list of locations and other information.
We’ll emphasize that we recommend replacing your lapsing driver’s license with a state ID for your convenience in managing tasks that require current, valid photo identification. Doing so is voluntary, as Hawaii residents are not required to carry a state identification card.
Q: How close are we allowed to park to a fire hydrant?
A: No closer than 10 feet, according to Section 15-14.1 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu. No marker is needed to publicize this restriction, which falls under the heading “stopping, standing or parking prohibited in specific places — no signs required.”
Mahalo
Thank you to Jeanine, a good Samaritan who took a picture of the license plate of a car that hit mine in the parking lot of Longs Moiliili on Sept. 25. I was shopping and, when I returned to my car, saw that it had been scraped, like someone missed the mark when they parked and didn’t leave a note. When I walked back to ask about surveillance cameras, the clerks said Jeanine had left her contact information for the owner of a car with my plates. They had tried to reach me on the PA system with no luck, but then I returned. I did call her, and apparently it was a couple who tried to park next to my car but ended up parking elsewhere. When they went into the store, she took photos of the damage on both cars and their license plate and now could text me the photos. I filed a police report, and the police tracked down the owners a few weeks later, knocked on their door and got their names and insurance company for me. Thank you so much, Jeanine — and to the clerks at Longs. I’m sure this kind of thing happens to many because of Hawaii’s tight parking lots, and I just lucked out that someone like you was there. Your kindness more than makes up for the junk thing this couple tried to get away with. — R.M.
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.
