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Question: Back in March, the city said people affected by the driver’s license data failure would get a letter telling them what to do. I had renewed my license during the affected period, but I never got a letter. Do you know what is going on? Can we get a status update?
Answer: Yes. Marquis ID Systems, the vendor that manages data storage for Hawaii’s driver’s licensing and state ID programs, is mailing letters from the counties to affected individuals this week, according to the city. Letters are going out statewide.
Although details vary slightly by county, all the letters reassure recipients that their personal documents are not readable but were not breached; that their current Hawaii state ID card or driver’s license remains valid; that they must bring in their documents again the next time they renew their state ID or driver’s license; and that if they wish to switch to “gold star” credential, the transaction fee of $5 to $10 will be waived. The cost will be paid by MIDS. There are deadlines to receive the waiver, so heed the specifics of your letter if you receive one.
If you had expected to receive a letter but don’t, it could be that your data has been recovered. The number of people affected statewide has decreased to about 44,000, as computer experts recovered some records initially deemed irretrievable, according to the city. That’s 22,500 fewer individuals than the city estimated being affected in March.
The letter being sent to people affected on Oahu explains that the City and County of Honolulu contracted services from Indiana-based MIDS to store scanned data for Hawaii driver’s licenses and state identification cards. MIDS informed the city in February that, due to a disk crash in September 2017 involving its system on Oahu, some of the scanned data could not be retrieved, although it remained securely encrypted. The failure was disclosed to the public in March. The data included scanned documents such as birth certificates, Social Security cards and other information to prove a person’s identity.
Each county has set up an information phone line for people who receive the letters, if they have additional questions. The phone number is in the letter, and also varies by county. Information also is being updated on the city’s website; the FAQ was not available by deadline Wednesday, but we’ll publish the link once it is.
Q: So, even if I get a letter I don’t need to rush out for a new license?
A: Yes, that is correct. Your current license remains valid and you have time to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant “gold star” license should you choose to do so. The fee waiver for individuals affected by the data-storage failure will be good through Dec. 31, 2019, in Honolulu, Hawaii and Kauai counties, and through June 28, 2019, in Maui County, according to the city.
Auwe
Auwe! Contrary to the government-property “stay off” sign, there are people again living under the freeway at the intersection of the Kilauea Avenue and the Kalanianaole Highway eastbound on-ramp. — A reader
Mahalo
On June 16, we ran over something right after the Pearl City on-ramp, resulting in a flat tire. Michael in a white truck stopped to help. Michael, if you read this, thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and assistance. We were truly blessed by your presence. We shall be sure to pay it forward. — Two seniors in the blue Toyota
Mahalo
Recently after entering a Las Vegas coffee shop, I tripped and fell to the deck. A true local gentleman from Hawaii, carrying his precious baby in his arms, picked me up. While we had never met before, this kind man deserves a big mahalo from this 89-year-old disabled serviceman. — Sincerely, John from Pearl City
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.
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