Question: I thought we could have our wedding at Foster Botanical Garden, but then I was told we couldn’t. I am confused about the rules.
Answer: Marriage ceremonies are permitted; wedding receptions are not. We believe your confusion stems from that fact, not a scheduling conflict. If you’d like to exchange vows at the urban Honolulu oasis, call 522-7066 at least three weeks in advance to apply for a permit. Assuming that your preferred date is available, you’ll be limited to a maximum of 50 people, including the wedding party. For more information, see 808ne.ws/hbgwed. As mentioned, you’d have to hold the reception elsewhere.
Q: Is there a way to report someone for lying to get food stamps? I know someone who is cheating, and it’s not right.
A: Yes. On Oahu call the fraud hotline at 587-8444. Calls are answered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on holidays; there is no voicemail. You may submit your complaint anonymously. You must provide enough information so that officials from the state Department of Human Services can investigate, such as the name and address of the person allegedly misusing taxpayer- funded welfare benefits.
This is not the number to call with general complaints about the welfare system, only for specific allegations of fraud related to use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and other programs; and the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) debit card system used to access benefits.
Examples of fraud could include unauthorized use of an EBT card, one person using multiple EBT cards, or concealing household income to qualify for benefits, which are intended for low-income people.
The latter category might include your acquaintance, who you said falsely claimed that her boyfriend does not live with her and their children and does not contribute to the household income.
Q: How can I find the nearest school with a summer lunch program?
A: A list of 69 Hawaii public schools participating in the 2018 Seamless Summer Option Program can be found at 808ne.ws/lunchlist, as posted by the state Department of Education. The PDF lists each school’s name, address, phone number, the dates of operation, service times and whether the school offers breakfast, lunch or both. Schedules are subject to change without notice, the DOE warns. It encourages parents to call their child’s school directly.
In a follow-up with Kokua Line, you said that you did not have school-age children, but were inquiring for a community member who could use some help. To answer your questions, meals are served free at participating schools to children 18 and under, regardless of whether the child is enrolled in a summer program on that campus, according to the DOE website.
Q: How many monk seals have died of toxoplasmosis?
A: At least 11 in Hawaii since 2001, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, citing statistics from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. There are about 1,400 Hawaiian monk seals in the world, making the mammals critically endangered.
DUI checkpoints
The Honolulu Police Department reminds motorists to expect sobriety checkpoints around Oahu all summer, including on Wednesday. The checkpoints, which are set up at undisclosed times and locations to catch impaired drivers, are part of the federal “52/12” sobriety checkpoint program, which ensures that each participating U.S. county has at least 52 sobriety checkpoints a year.
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.
