Question: To register a child for school, the state Board of Education requires a utility bill bearing the last name of the child. It will not accept a state ID or driver’s license. The explanation was that the person could falsify these state documents. Or is it just one Hawaii department thumbing its nose at another with the taxpayer suffering for the feud?

At Kalaheo High School, they have refused to register my grandson, who lives in my house, without a utility bill and a notarized statement from the payee of the bill.

Answer: Proof of residency, one of many documents required for enrolling in public school, is asked for because state law requires students to attend school in the district in which they reside (unless they receive a geographic exception).

Documentation requiring proof of residency has been in place for at least 10 years, said Ronn Nozoe, deputy superintendent of the Department of Education.

A utility bill for water, electricity, gas or telephone in the parent/guardian’s name (not necessarily the child’s last name) is one of several documents that can be used to show proof of residency.

As listed on the education department’s website — is.gd/KD0TZ0 — other documents are a rental/lease agreement, mortgage document or current real property assessment in the parent/guardian’s name.

If the parent or guardian cannot provide proof of legal residence because he/she is living with a relative or friend, a notarized statement by the relative or friend can be accepted by the school.

A school may request one or more of the identification documents.

A Hawaii driver’s license or state ID is not accepted because they do not have to be renewed or updated when a person gets a new address, Nozoe said. “Thus, additional documentation establishing residency is required.”

(State law requires a driver to inform officials of a name or address change within 30 days so that the database can be updated. However, the licensee is not required to get a duplicate license to show the change.)

If a parent or guardian insists on using a driver’s license or state ID, schools can ask for additional documents to show proof of residency, Nozoe said.

CONTROLLING M. TANARIUS

Another tip for dealing with the invasive Macaranga tanarius (parasol leaf) tree  discussed in Monday’s column (is.gd/CUofSc) comes from Lissa Fox Strohecker, outreach and education specialist for the Maui Invasive Species Committee:

Immediately after cutting adult plants, apply an herbicide formulated for control of woody species to the cut surface. The active ingredient in the herbicide the committee uses is 60 percent triclopyr.

“Typically there is enough energy stored in the root system of a tree that it will simply resprout when cut, coming back even bushier,” Fox Strohecker said.

Although the Oahu Invasive Species Committee says M. tanarius is too widely established on the island to eradicate, the Maui committee is working on controlling the tree in localized areas.

MAHALO

To a good Samaritan named Kevin. I attended the Kailua Fourth of July parade and had a lanyard holder with all my ID, credit and Social Security cards. I did not realize the holder came off the clip until I was about to pay my bill at a restaurant. Mahalo to all my friends who tried to help me, but it was Kevin who found my holder and tried to deliver it to me at home. I was not at home so he left it with a neighbor. I did not know this and was in distress until I found out what had happened. I could not thank him personally, but want to say: May God bless you and your family and good fortune follow you always. — Martha Harper

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