Kokua Line
Kokua Line
What kind of identification can we show that has a picture but no Social Security number on it that is acceptable when cashing checks? I do not have a drivers license. ID for cashing checks?
Not many alternativesUnfortunately, the generally requested forms of identification in Hawaii -- the Hawaii state ID card or a military ID -- both also carry Social Security numbers.
Some businesses may be content with a major credit card, and First Hawaiian Bank will also accept a passport, but if you really don't want to reveal your Social Security number, you might just have to use cash.
However, while the state Legislature did not act this year on a proposal to do away with visible Social Security numbers on drivers licenses, there may be a change on state ID cards.
A decision will be made in about one month about replacing social security numbers with random numbers, said Liane Moriyama, who oversees the ID card program.
The change would be made when the office implements its new system, replacing the old laminated cards with a credit-card-type of ID that is harder to reproduce for fraudulent purposes.
But among the concerns is "what the impact would be in not displaying the Social Security numbers on the state ID," Moriyama said.
Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, we asked Telecheck-Hawaii, a major check verification company, what it accepts for identification.
If a merchant has a check reader, it will scan the MICR number at the bottom of the check, said district manager Lee Minor. "In addition, at times, we will ask for a drivers license number."
The alternatives are a state or military ID, he said.
"We really don't use the Social Security number or the Social Security card as an ID," he emphasized. It's just that Hawaii is a state that uses the Social Security number as the drivers license number. "We'll take a drivers license from Australia, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Territories," Minor said.
We live next to a vacant lot which people have started to develop. Dust is going into my home and our neighbor's home. Whom do we complain to about this? Call the state Health Department's Clean Air Branch, 586-4200.
The staff will investigate complaints about "fugitive dust," meaning dust that comes across one property to another, said branch enforcement supervisor, Kathy Hendricks.
Whether it's a small or large project, "they're supposed to take measures" to control dust, she said.
To Mr. Al Thomas of Island Pacific Distributors for his integrity and willingness to get involved. Someone broke into my car and stole my briefcase and wallet with my credit cards, passport, drivers license and military ID. I had no hope of getting them back. But police Officer Eddie Belluomini called me and said Mr. Thomas had found my briefcase in his company's Dumpster. I got everything back, except for the cash and small calculator. -- DeLara Boynton Mahalo
Re the item about Salt Lake stream cleanup: What a bunch of double-talk. Mr. Muraoka of Honolulu Country Club needs to set up a tent along the stream and breathe the stench. Mr. Shimada of the city Public Works Department said a lot and said nothing -- no substance or meaningful solutions. Auwe
The stream that goes around Country Club Village, for example, is so cluttered with vegetation and garbage it's a wonder that anything can live there. Contrary to the statements of Mr. Okubo of the state Health Department, the city did not complete the big cleanup. When can we expect positive action? -- Concerned Resident
Need help with problems? Call Kokua Line at 525-8686,
fax 525-6711, or write to P.O. Box 3080, Honolulu 96802.
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