Question: The sidewalk has some hazards in front of Thomas Square along King Street. I hope they will be fixed in time for holiday sightseers, but in the meantime watch your step.
Answer: The sidewalk was damaged due to repairs needed on a nearby streetlight, which required removing some concrete to reach underground electrical equipment. The sidewalk is scheduled to be repaired early this week, a city spokesperson said Friday.
Thomas Square, bounded by South King Street, Victoria Street, South Beretania Street and Ward Avenue, was added to the Honolulu City Lights festival this year because there’s much less space available at the usual Civic Center location due to a construction project.
Honolulu Hale is decorated as usual, with a huge Christmas tree outside and smaller trees and wreaths inside the building, while Show Aloha displays and activities, including glowing tunnels and keiki train rides, are set up at Thomas Square, a public park of about 6.5 acres. Both locations have special events scheduled. See the calendars at hnlcitylights.com for details.
Q: The Department of Human Services says HEFAP money will remain on a person’s EBT card until used up or until Dec. 31, whichever comes first (808ne.ws/4rsQpCN). Since my SNAP benefits and the HEFAP are totaled together on my EBT card, how will I know if I still have a HEFAP balance to be used before it expunges at the end of year?
A: We’ve received similar questions from several Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients who said they don’t usually spend their full SNAP allotment each month. They roll over any unused portion to buy food the first days of the new month, while awaiting that month’s SNAP payment. They don’t want to assume any amount remaining at December’s end will be SNAP money, and lose it because it actually came from HEFAP (the Hawai‘i Emergency Food Assistance Program). We asked DHS about this and received the following reply:
“The Department of Human Services’ (electronic benefits transfer) vendor is able to identify remaining HEFAP benefits through a separate code used to track those benefits on the client’s EBT card. If remaining HEFAP benefits are identified by the vendor as of Dec. 31, 2025, these benefits will be expunged. While the code to distinguish HEFAP and federal SNAP benefits is not visible to SNAP participants, one way to distinguish the HEFAP benefit is that HEFAP was provided based on $250 per person in the SNAP household. For example, a SNAP household of two would receive $500. If a SNAP participant has questions, they may call 1-855-643-1643 and specify that they have a question regarding their HEFAP benefit and benefit expungement. Participants may also submit questions via the ‘Contact Us’ link at pais-benefits.dhs.hawaii.gov.”
HEFAP paid $250 out of state funds to each eligible SNAP recipient when the federal government shutdown disrupted the federally funded program, formerly known as food stamps. November SNAP payments eventually were issued as well. As the reader said, funds from both programs were deposited on recipients’ EBT cards, the debit cards they use to grocery shop. SNAP funds will not be expunged.
Auwe
People need to stop making excuses for crime. I mostly see this on social media. Someone will post a video about someone stealing something from their garage, lanai or front door and others will chime in, “oh, he needed a tarp,” or “oh, he needed shoes,” or “oh, he needed a bike,” etc. This is not right. Theft is theft. When hard-working, law- abiding people can’t go to sleep at night feeling secure in their own homes, bad things start to happen. We should ensure that people accept social services when offered, rather than accepting that they’re going to steal our stuff. — A reader
Mahalo
I’m 71 years young, still recovering from a two-week virus, in my home clothes, no makeup, and wearing a mask. I routinely shop in Safeway Kaneohe on Fridays to take advantage of their Friday specials. I had my shopping list ready; eventually I go to the meat clearance area, then continued from there. A middle-aged man approached me and gave me a gift card! I asked if he was an employee and he said no, he just had the gift card and wanted to give it to me to use! It surprised me, but made my day feel better! I thanked him and gave him an appreciative hug with my mask still on. I will pay forward his kindness. — Lorna
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813; call 808-529-4773; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
