Question: Can I call to make an appointment to renew my driver’s license?
Answer: No. “We are not able to take reservations by (voice) phone; it is a completely online system. However, anyone with a smartphone or a computer can make your appointment for you,” said Sheri Kajiwara, director of the city Department of Customer Services.
Driver’s licenses and state IDs can be renewed within six months of expiration. The renewal process is much quicker if you have an appointment, rather than walking in, and the city recently upgraded its online reservation system to offer appointments up to six months in advance.
However, we have heard from numerous readers like you, who are missing out on this convenience because they don’t have an internet- connected computer or smartphone. Standing in line isn’t the only solution. Even without a smartphone or computer, you can make an appointment by:
>> Visiting one of five locations where you can use an AlohaQ kiosk to make an appointment for a future date at that location. On open days, arrive after 9 a.m. to avoid waiting in line at the kiosk, Kajiwara suggests. AlohaQ kiosks are available at three satellite city hall locations (Kapalama, Pearlridge and Wahiawa) and two driver’s licensing centers (Kapalama and Koolau), said Harold Nedd, a spokesman for the department. (You can also use the kiosk to pull a “walk-in” number for that, but Kajiwara doesn’t recommend it; expect a lengthy wait.)
>> Having a family member or friend with internet access make the appointment for you, in your name. Be sure to write down the appointment date, time and location, as you won’t get a reminder message directly. You’ll also need to know the confirmation code for the appointment, and the phone number used to make it.
>> Visiting a public library to use a free, internet-connected computer to make the appointment yourself. You can input your landline phone number, but since you won’t get the reminder text, be sure to write down the appointment date, time, location and confirmation code.
In any case, the website to make an appointment is alohaq.honolulu.gov. Appointments can be made at 10 locations on Oahu, according to the city; availability varies widely by site. Customers are encouraged to cancel unneeded appointments to free up time slots.
Once you have an appointment, you can expect your visit to a driver’s licensing center or satellite city hall to take about 20 minutes, assuming that you have all the necessary documents in hand, including a completed application.
For a list of documents, visit www.honolulu.gov/csd, where you can also find locations and hours for driver’s licensing centers and satellite city halls. Services vary by location.
Auwe
When traveling up Punchbowl Street, heading mauka to the intersection of South Vineyard Boulevard, there is no demarcation line for people making a left turn onto Vineyard. The left-turn drivers drift into the middle lane going mauka, which is dangerous. There should be a line where the left-turn drivers don’t go any farther. — A reader
Mahalo
Many thanks to Ala Moana Beach lifeguards Ryan and Thomas. On April 18 I tripped and fell on some sharp coral while walking on the beach and received a large gash to my right knee (I ended up getting 13 stitches). Thanks also to a woman who ran to the lifeguards for help. The lifeguards cleaned some sand and stopped the bleeding by bandaging the cut. I was getting lightheaded and felt that I was about to pass out. Ryan held me up and reassured me that everything would be OK. A city ambulance was called. By then I felt OK so refused to go to the ER. Thanks to all for a job well done. — Grateful senior
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.
