Latest news with #COFA
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kokua Line: How can I check traffic tickets online?
Question : Regarding traffic-ticket scams, it's understandable why some people fall for it because so much government stuff (official ) is done on the phone now (after clicking a text link ). Not everybody knows when someone driving their car gets a ticket—a lot of us share a car. Answer : We've heard plenty of feedback from readers who share their cars with family members and didn't know right away about infractions that occurred when they weren't driving. Several said the proliferation of Division of Motor Vehicles impersonation scams highlights how important it is for everyone who shares a car, including new teenage drivers, to be forthright about real tickets they get and about any texts, emails or phone calls they receive about purported violations—the latter group may be scam attempts. Concealing such threats from the car's owner (generally a parent ) may worsen the situation. As scammers try to trick people into paying nonexistent fines, Hawaii's State Judiciary reminds motorists to use the eCourt Kokua system to check whether they actually have tickets pending. 'Anyone unsure whether they have an unpaid traffic citation should search by first and last name and also by license plate number in eCourt Kokua, the Judiciary's public online case look-up system. People who have been issued citations can check the status of those citations by using the 'case search' function in eCourt Kokua, ' the Judiciary said in a news release Thursday. Access eCourt Kokua via. The Judiciary says people statewide are receiving text messages falsely claiming to be from the DMV and demanding payment for unpaid traffic citations, and we've heard from readers who received emails as well. 'Please know, you will not get texts, calls, or emails about unpaid traffic citations from the state courts or DMV unless you contacted them first either in person, in writing or via phone with a specific question. Generally, all communication from the Judiciary regarding unpaid citations is handled through the U.S. mail, ' the news release said. The city says that anyone who receives such texts should block the sender and delete the text without responding. Q : It's pitch black in the Wilson Tunnel. No lights. Dangerous. What's being done about this ? A : Power to the Wilson Tunnel was turned off Wednesday and is expected to remain out for about two weeks while Hawaiian Electric Co. repairs two damaged overhead transmission circuits in the Koolau mountains, according to the state Department of Transportation. Hawaiian Electric has to de-energize the circuits during the repairs, the DOT said in a news release. The tunnel through the Koolaus, connecting Honolulu and Kaneohe on the Likelike Highway, will remain dark for the duration of the repair work, it said. 'HDOT advises motorists to turn on their lights and proceed with caution when approaching and driving through Wilson Tunnel.' Q : Regarding the COFA funeral fund, what if the deceased was a COFA citizen but their spouse (survivor ) is not ? A : The citizenship requirement applies to the person who died of COVID-19, not to the person seeking reimbursement for funeral expenses, according to We Are Oceania, the 501 (3 )c administering the city program. The nonprofit says on its website that the deceased must be a citizen of a Compacts of Free Association (COFA ) nation, namely the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands or the Republic of Palau, residing in the City and County of Hono lulu, whose death was attributed to COVID-19 or complications from COVID-19. The applicant must be an immediate surviving family member of the deceased, including spouse, parent, child and sibling. Mahalo Recently I experienced a flat tire while I was shopping at a local Walmart. A young man who was parked nearby revealed he was a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and was kind enough to take the time to replace my flat with a spare until I could get to a local tire store. I feel ashamed that I cannot remember his name and am so very late with my sincere mahalo to this wonderful individual, who took the time to assist this elderly kupuna. Your parents must be so proud of you.—Susanne C.------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email.------------
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
City launches funeral assistance program for COFA families
The City and County of Honolulu on Tuesday launched a program to help the Micronesian community with funeral expenses due to COVID-19. The 'Ohana Memorial Support : COVID-19 COFA Funeral Assistance Program will provide $1.5 million in direct reimbursements of burial expenses to Compact of Free Association citizens living on Oahu. Under the Compacts of Free Association agreement, citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau are allowed to live and work in the U.S. without visa requirements after military use of their lands in the Pacific. City officials said COFA migrants bore a disproportionate share of COVID-related deaths, but were excluded from receiving federal funeral assistance due to their citizenship status. 'This program is about doing right by the families who lost a loved one to COVID-19 and were unjustly excluded from federal assistance, ' said Mayor Rick Blangiardi in a news release. 'While no amount of funding can ever replace the lives lost, we hope this support demonstrates our deep commitment to caring for the most vulnerable in our community.' COFA residents were at higher risk of contracting COVID because many work in essential jobs, such as the service industry, with increased exposure to the virus. Many also suffer from underlying health conditions, lack of access to health care, and live in poverty and in multigenerational households, where it is more difficult to self-isolate. Before vaccines were available, Pacific Islanders, which include COFA migrant groups, represented 4 % of the population, but 25 % of COVID cases, according to data from the Hawaii Department of Health. Of all ethnic groups, Pacific islanders in Hawaii also experienced the highest per capita mortality rate. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program up to $9, 000 to cover the costs for someone who died of COVID-19. COFA citizens, however, were not eligible to apply for the FEMA funds. Honolulu City Council member Esther Kia 'aina said she was heartened to see the city implementing the COVID death benefits program for the Micronesian community. 'As a matter of equity, I was pleased to advocate for this program during our, ' said Kia 'aina in the news release. 'It is only fair that they enjoy the same federal death benefits received by other residents impacted by the pandemic.' The Honolulu Office of Economic Revitalization is administering the program through a contract with, a nonprofit charity organization founded by a group of Micronesians. The group will reimburse burial expenses of up to $9, 000 for each household member who died due to COVID-19. Reimbursements for households that experienced multiple deaths in one family are capped at $35, 500 per application. To be eligible, applicants must prove a relationship to the deceased family member through official documents. The deceased family member must have resided on Oahu, with their death attributed to COVID-19 between Jan. 20, 2020, and Sept. 30, 2024. The funding will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. More information is available at. Community outreach
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kokua Line: Who gets COVID-19 funeral aid?
Question : The city is paying for funerals of Micronesian people killed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Were /are other people eligible for this ? Answer : Yes, but through a federal program that excludes Compact of Free Association migrants living in the United States—the U.S. COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program is open only to U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals or qualified noncitizens, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA says it disbursed a total of about $4.2 million among 724 Hawaii applicants as of Feb. 1, reimbursing funeral expenses of family members who died of COVID-19 on or after Jan. 20, 2020. FEMA will continue to award payments to eligible survivors until Sept. 30 ; the maximum payment is $9, 000 per deceased individual, according to the FEMA website. Read more at. By contrast, the 'Ohana Memorial Support : COVID-19 COFA Funeral Assistance Program, which the city announced this week, has budgeted $1.5 million to help reimburse funeral expenses of Oahu residents from COFA nations who died of COVID-19 from Jan. 20, 2020, to Sept. 30, 2024, according to a news release from Honolulu's Office of Economic Revitalization. 'This program addresses the significant challenges COFA migrants faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite bearing a disproportionate share of COVID-19-related deaths, COFA households were excluded from receiving federal funeral assistance due to their citizenship status, ' the news release said. According to the state Department of Health, Pacific Islanders account for 4 % of Hawaii's population, but 12 % of COVID-19 deaths. Like the federal program, the city program for COFA families will reimburse funeral expenses of up to $9, 000 for each eligible person, although the total will be capped at $35, 500 for households that lost multiple members to COVID-19. The deceased family member must have lived on Oahu and held COFA citizenship (Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Marshall Islands or Republic of Palau ). We Are Oceania ( ), the 501 (c )3 charitable group administering the city's program, is conducting community outreach online and in person to ensure that eligible COFA citizens are aware of the funding, which will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the application process, required documents and what expenses can be reimbursed, go to. For questions not answered on the website, prospective applicants can follow up with WAO by phone (808-754-7303 ) or email (contact @ ), the news release said. Q : Regarding the zoo concerts, the botanical gardens also have musical events in the summer. A : Yes, the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation's free Twilight Summer Concert Series begins today at 5 :30 p.m. with jazz at Foster Botanical Garden, continues Friday at 5 p.m. with reggae at Wahiawa Botanical Garden and proceeds through July with a variety of music at Foster, Wahiawa and Ho 'omaluhia botanical gardens. 'From blues to bagpipes, island jams to jazz, there is sure to be a musical performance to your liking, ' DPR said in a news release. For the full schedule and other details, go to. As for the zoo, Kokua Line mentioned Tuesday that this summer's Wildest Show In Town live music series is set to kick off June 11, followed by five more Wednesday evening concerts through July 23, all on the great lawn of the Honolulu Zoo in Waikiki. See details, including how to buy tickets, at. This series raises money for the zoo.------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email.------------
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
EU picks 13 new critical material projects, including in South Africa
The EU on Wednesday announced 13 new raw material projects outside the bloc to increase its supplies of metals and minerals essential for it to stay competitive in the energy transition as well as defence and aerospace. The announcement follows China's decision in April to impose export curbs on rare earth magnets until new licences are obtained, leaving diplomats, carmakers and other companies from Europe and elsewhere scrambling to secure meetings with Beijing officials and avert factory shutdowns. "We must reduce our dependencies on all countries, particularly on a number of countries like China ... The export bans increase our will to diversify," European commissioner for industry Stephane Sejourne told reporters. China controls more than 90% of global processing capacity for the magnets, used in everything from vehicles and fighter jets to home appliances. It is also the main supplier of many key inputs for renewable energy, especially rare earth minerals, batteries and solar panels, a situation Brussels is keen to change. The EU list is part of the implementation of the Critical Raw Material Act agreed in 2023 under which the bloc aims to mine 10%, process 40% and recycle 25% of its needs by 2030. Ten of the new projects will be focused on materials essential for electric vehicle batteries and battery storage, including lithium, cobalt, manganese and graphite. Two projects for rare earths are located in Malawi and South Africa. Other projects are located in Britain, Canada, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Norway, Serbia, Ukraine, Zambia, Brazil and the French territory of New Caledonia. The British project is to extract tungsten and the ones in Ukraine and Greenland will be for graphite, with the project in Greenland run by GreenRoc Strategic Materials. Tungsten is key for the defence industry. Greenland has been a point of tension between Brussels and Washington this year after US President Donald Trump repeatedly said he wants to acquire the Danish overseas territory. US officials have discussed a plan to pull Greenland into America's sphere of influence with a type of agreement called COFA that the US has used to maintain close ties with several Pacific Island nations. Under COFA the US government offers essential services and in exchange, the US military operates freely while trade with the US is largely duty-free. The Serbian project, run by major miner Rio Tinto, could produce 90% of Europe's lithium needs. However, the project nearly fell apart after the government revoked the miner's licence in 2022. A Serbian court restored Rio Tinto's rights last year. Many Serbs oppose the Jadar project, saying its development will damage the environment. "With an estimated production of 58,000 tons of lithium carbonate annually, Serbia has the potential to become a key player in the electric vehicle supply chain," Rio Tinto said in a statement. The EU has estimated that the projects would need an overall capital investment of €5.5bn (R111.78bn) to get off the ground. They would receive coordinated financial support and buyer interest from the European Commission, member states and lenders. The new list brings the EU's total number of strategic projects to 60. In March, the Commission announced 47 projects within the EU.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
EU picks 13 new critical material projects, including in Greenland
PARIS, - The European Commission on Wednesday announced 13 new raw material projects outside the bloc to increase its supplies of metals and minerals essential for it to stay competitive in the energy transition as well as defence and aerospace. The EU's announcement follows China's decision in April to impose export curbs on rare earth magnets until new licences are obtained, leaving diplomats, carmakers and other executives from Europe and elsewhere scrambling to secure meetings with Beijing officials and avert factory shutdowns. China controls more than 90% of global processing capacity for the magnets, used in everything from vehicles and fighter jets to home appliances. Beijing is also the main supplier of many key inputs for renewable energy, especially rare earths, batteries and solar panels, a situation Brussels is keen to change. The EU list is part of the implementation of the Critical Raw Material Act agreed in 2023 under which the bloc aims to mine 10%, process 40% and recycle 25% of its needs by 2030. Most of the new projects will be focused on materials essential for electric vehicle batteries and battery storage including lithium, cobalt, manganese and graphite. Two projects for rare earths are located in Malawi and South Africa. Rare earths are used to produce magnets in wind turbines. The projects are located in Britain, Canada, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Norway, Serbia, Ukraine, Zambia, Brazil and the French territory of New Caledonia. The British project is to extract tungsten and the ones in Ukraine and Greenland will be for graphite, with the project in Greenland run by GreenRoc Strategic Materials. Greenland has been a point of tension between Brussels and Washington this year after U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly said he wanted to acquire the Danish overseas territory. U.S. officials have discussed a plan to pull Greenland into America's sphere of influence with a type of agreement called COFA that the United States has used to maintain close ties with several Pacific Island nations. Under COFA, the U.S. government offers essential services and in exchange, the U.S. military operates freely while trade with the U.S. is largely duty-free. The EU has estimated that the projects would need an overall capital investment of 5.5 billion euros to get off the ground. They would receive coordinated financial support and buyer interest from the Commission, member states and lenders. The new list brings the total number of strategic projects to 60. In March, the Commission announced 47 projects within the EU.
