Question: Hawaii was a “bucket list” vacation for us. We’ve had a great time but were somewhat surprised at how crowded it is (especially traffic). How much of the population lives in Honolulu? Also, how many people own their own homes? We have been reading about the Airbnb disruptions but were not affected ourselves.
Answer: About 70% of Hawaii’s 1.4 million residents live in Honolulu County, which includes the entire island of Oahu. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated Honolulu County’s population at 980,080 people in 2018.
Of course, those population figures don’t include visitors, nearly 6 million of whom stayed on Oahu last year (of the nearly 10 million who visited Hawaii overall), according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. On any given day in the 2018, there were 242,629 visitors statewide.
As for homeownership, more than half of Oahu’s residents live in homes they own, according to the city’s Citizen-Centric Reports. That owner-occupancy rate is holding fairly steady, according to the reports for fiscal years 2013 (when it was 56.4%) through 2018 (when it was 55%).
Q: I was one of those who spent hours trying to get in the free classes. I finally got through but my friend never did. We like to do them together! Now what?
A: The city Department of Parks and Recreation got the site working and has extended the online registration period for free classes until Sunday night. Assuming that space remains available in a particular class, you friend should be able to register at 808ne.ws/dprreg.
HECO payments
Hawaiian Electric Co.’s downtown payment center will be closing a half-hour earlier starting Sept. 3, which also will affect walk-in customer service hours, the company said. The center is at 1001 Bishop St., in the American Savings Bank Tower lobby.
The new hours for the payment center will be 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays except holidays. Walk-in customer service will be available from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays except holidays.
Besides mailing in your payment, other options include:
>> Automatic deductions from your checking or savings account, with no added fee. Apply online at hawaiian electric.com/payment options.
>> A drop box on Alakea Street, outside the payment office.
>> In-person payments with no service fee at Western Union payment centers (Foodland, Safeway, Times, etc.). Remittance stub is required. All locations accept cash; Foodland locations also accept checks.
>> Use a credit or debit card or electronic check to pay by phone at 888-813-2207 or online at hawaiian electric.com/paynow. A fee will be added.
How quickly your account is credited varies by payment option. If you have questions, call Hawaiian Electric at 548-7311 or visit hawaiianelectric.com.
Court work
The Hawaii Judiciary needs courtroom interpreters, a freelance job that pays from $25 to $55 per hour, with a two-hour minimum. Applicants must speak English and at least one other language, attend a mandatory workshop, pass written English and ethics exams, and clear a criminal background check. For more information, see 808ne.ws/courtgig.
Mahalo
I want to sent a heartfelt mahalo and sincere appreciation to Gail, an employee at the newly relocated downtown DMV. She assisted my elderly family member with a state ID renewal. Gail was patient, kind and gracious and treated us with genuine care, almost as if we were family. She made the experience pleasant and should be recognized for her professionalism and aloha spirit. Mahalo, Gail, you are a gem! — Satisfied resident
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.
