By wire sources
New rules for licenses to go in effect in March
HONOLULU — Transportation officials want Hawaii residents to know that the requirements to get a driver’s license or learner’s permit will soon be changing.
Beginning March 5, Hawaii will require proof of “legal presence” before people can obtain a driver’s license or learner’s permits, state Department of Transportation spokesman Dan Meisenzahl said Sunday.
The new rules come as the state moves to comply with the stricter requirements of the Real ID federal security law.
“Tell your friends, tell your family,” Meisenzahl said. “It kicks in in two months, but will be impacting people for years.”
The federal law requires states to replace their driver’s licenses and ID cards with more secure documents, which the federal government will require before allowing people to board airline flights and enter federal buildings.
Under the new rules, people renewing, reinstating and applying for a Hawaii driver’s license or learner’s permit will have to provide a Social Security card and at least one of several other documents, such as a birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport, Meisenzahl said.
Married women who have changed their last names will also have to provide a valid or certified copy of their marriage licenses.
Oahu cheerleaders win national competition
EWA BEACH, Oahu — A West Oahu cheerleading squad has returned to Hawaii as champions of a national competition.
Ewa Beach’s James Campbell High School cheerleading team won the Gator Bowl Cheer and Dance National Competition in Jacksonville, Fla. The varsity squad took first place in the competition while the junior varsity cheerleaders placed seond. They also got a chance to perform in the Gator Bowl halftime show.
State Rep. Kymberly Pine says the win highlights the talents of youth from the Leeward Oahu.
The cheerleaders returned to Honolulu last week.
State to remove loose rocks from Diamond Head
HONOLULU — The state plans to remove lose rocks along Diamond Head State Monument this month to reduce the risk of rockfalls.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said Friday a construction crew will use a variety of methods to manually remove the loose rocks on the exterior ocean side of the monument along Diamond Head Road.
Some workers will rappel down the wall to remove rocks while others at the ground level will reach up to take out loose rocks with hand tools.
The work will start on Wednesday and last about a month.
One lane of Diamond Head road may be closed to vehicle traffic and pedestrians during the work for safety reasons.
By wire sources