Question: Regarding REAL ID, what about American Samoa?

Answer: “American Samoa is not in compliance with the REAL ID Act and federal agencies will not accept driver’s licenses and identification cards from American Samoa as of February 5, 2018,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website.

We should have mentioned this in Kokua Line’s column Monday, which said the law wasn’t being enforced anywhere in the United States until October 2020. Although not a state, American Samoa is an unincorporated U.S. territory, and its status should have been noted.

Beginning Monday, “residents of American Samoa will no longer be able to use territory-issued driver’s licenses or identification cards to fly domestically, or enter federal buildings and military installations,” according to a news release from DHS.

American Samoa is the only U.S. state or territory that has neither complied nor received an extension to comply with the federal REAL ID Act, according to the DHS. Although enforcement was set to begin Monday, as of deadline, DHS also advises people to check for updates to American Samoa’s status at www.dhs.gov/real-id.

The REAL ID law establishes minimum security standards for driver’s licenses and identification cards issued by U.S. states and territories, to deter people from obtaining them fraudulently. It prohibits federal agencies from accepting noncompliant cards for access to federal facilities, nuclear power plants and federally regulated commercial aircraft.

People carrying American Samoan credentials who need to board commercial aircraft anywhere in the United States are advised to bring another acceptable form of identification with them to the airport. The Transportation Security Administration lists acceptable identification at 808ne.ws/tsaid. Driver’s licenses and state photo identity cards, which are listed as acceptable, must be from a state or territory that is REAL ID-compliant or has received an extension.

Through May 6, TSA will provide special assistance to American Samoans who arrive at an airport without acceptable identification, DHS said.

For federal buildings and military bases, REAL ID affects only those locations where people were already required to present an ID. Residents of American Samoa planning to visit a federal facility or military base should call ahead to find out whether an ID is needed for access.

American Samoa formerly had an extension. It expired Oct. 19, and the territory was unable to show during a three-month grace period that it had a “clear achievable plan for compliance,” according to DHS. American Samoa may demonstrate the necessary progress and renew its extension at some point.

As previously reported, Hawaii is deemed compliant, having incorporated tougher safeguards to ensure that the person applying for a Hawaii driver’s license or ID is who he or she claims to be and that the card cannot be counterfeited.

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Mahalo

My sincerest gratitude to the person who found my wallet Wednesday and turned it in at the Bank of Hawaii Kapahulu branch intact. I was about to call the credit card companies to cancel when Bankoh called. What a relief! I appreciate it very much. Countless blessings to you and your family. — A senior

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