Kokua Line: No doubling up on gold star for license or ID applicants

Question: Can you think why it may be a good reason to get a state ID card even if I have a valid “gold star” driver’s license?

Answer: No, and you wouldn’t be eligible to get one anyway. You may hold only one state-issued REAL ID-compliant credential at a time. Your driver’s license is such a credential. Hawaii issues only REAL ID-compliant state IDs; there is no noncompliant version. So you cannot apply for a state ID at this point.

Your driver’s license allows you to drive legally, which a state ID wouldn’t, and also meets the federal requirements of a secure identity credential.

Some readers 72 and older have mentioned that they preferred to put the gold star on a state ID because that credential lasts eight years, while they must renew their driver’s license every two years. Some were surprised to learn they won’t be eligible for a regular driver’s license the next time they renew, assuming they keep the state ID. They’ll get a limited-purpose driver’s license, which doesn’t comply with the federal REAL ID law and therefore doesn’t break the one-card rule.

An ID card issued before the gold star became an option remains valid for state purposes until its expiration date, and for federal purposes (mainly boarding domestic aircraft) until at least October 2020.

Q: My driver’s license appointment is tomorrow. Now I can’t find my original birth certificate. Is that required?

A: No. You can use a valid U.S. passport or passport card to prove your legal U.S. presence, legal name and date of birth, which is what your original or certified U.S. birth certificate also would prove.

Q: If you have to prove Hawaii residency, how are homeless people supposed to get a state ID?

A: “Homeless applicants may use the address of their current shelter agency, or if not staying in a shelter, may use the general delivery of the post office nearest where they spend most of their time,” according to the state Department of Transportation’s website.

Q: Can I get a ticket for parking at a broken meter?

A: Yes. The “out of order” or “fail” message on a broken meter is considered an official “no parking” sign, according to the city. Don’t park there.

Call the Honolulu Police Department’s parking meter repair shop at 832-7836 to get the meter fixed.

Q: Regarding the upcoming rail work in town (808ne.ws/918rail), I didn’t make the meeting and have some questions. Will there be another meeting?

A: We’re not aware of another public meeting on the same topic now, but perhaps you can get your questions answered by calling HART’s 24-hour project hotline at 566-2299.

It is staffed around the clock, although your call will go to voicemail if there’s already someone on the line. If that occurs, briefly state your question and leave your callback number; someone should call you back promptly.

Auwe

The homeless encampment in Ala Wai Community Park has spilled into the street, making the right lane of Kapiolani Boulevard hazardous for homeless people and for motorists trying to traverse that section. Are we ever going to get a handle on this? — Wary driver

Mahalo

Mahalo to all the akamai people who catch their cold water in a bucket before the hot water arrives in their showers, and use it to flush their toilets or water their plants. — Ed from Kapahulu

Mahalo

Mahalo to a wonderful family. I was having breakfast at Zippy’s Kailua on Sunday and as I went to pay the check the waitress told me that this family had paid for me because I reminded them of their grandmother. I am very grateful. I will pay it forward. Mahalo. — Grateful granny

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.