Category: Wisdoms

  • The Most Difficult Conversation

    During the winter break, I read a book called Difficult Conversations, how to discuss what matters most. The authors teach ways to engage in conversations, maintain good relationships and convey and receive meaning and intentions without blame and defensiveness. They point out that the key to engaging in successful difficult conversations is to talk about feelings, intentions, underlying meaning and past experiences that shape who we are. Attempting a difficult conversation without sharing feelings and intentions is compared to throwing a live hand grenade. The results are usually destructive.

    Making your will or trust can be the most difficult conversation of all because it is often a one-way conversation. And sadly, when reading these trusts and wills, we find that they tell “what to do” and “how to do,” but leave out the author’s deepest meaning, intent and wishes. No wonder only 30 percent of people ever make a will or trust. Worse yet, 70 percent of wills and trusts do not go as intended because they omit the person’s intention and leave the heirs to guess.

    So, I encourage you to consider making your estate plan if you haven’t yet done so. If anxiety, fear and uncertainty are holding you back, this is where an attorney skilled in estate planning can guide you. When you do engage in this process, make sure that in this most difficult conversation, you relay not only the legal “how to,” but also work with your attorney to convey your deepest meaning, intentions and wishes.

    STEPHEN B. YIM, ATTORNEY AT LAW 2054 S. Beretania St., Honolulu 96826 808-524-0251 | stephenyimestateplanning.com

    During the winter break, I read a book called Difficult Conversations, how to discuss what matters most. The authors teach ways to engage in conversations, maintain good relationships and convey and receive meaning and intentions without blame and defensiveness. They point out that the key to engaging in successful difficult conversations is to talk about…

  • Beware the ‘Friendly’ Stranger

    I It’s difficult to believe that anyone would take advantage of our aloha spirit. Unfortunately, the Prosecutor’s Office has seen an increase in cases of friendly strangers who turn out to be con artists preying on seniors.

    Edith (not her real name) was walking through Kapi‘olani Park when Alexander Nebre approached her. He said that someone told him that she needed help. Coincidentally, Edith was having problems with her plumbing. Nebre said he was a licensed plumber and contractor and could help her out. When invited into her apartment, Nebre “found” extensive termite damage. “Luckily” for her, he could make these repairs for a fraction of the cost of a “big company with lots of overhead.”

    Edith fell for Nebre’s lies and paid him over $20,000 for repairs, which he never did. In December, Nebre was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay back $100,000 he stole from Edith and five other seniors. The average amount court-ordered defendants return to their victims is $25 to $50 a month. By my calculations, Edith and the other victims will be paid back in 166 years!

    “Friendly” con artists can be found anywhere, but often target seniors in home repair stores, like The Home Depot and Lowes. They say they have some expertise that the overwhelmed homeowner needs, and they can do the job significantly cheaper than any competitor.

    A great many of these so-called “experts” are unlicensed and unqualified. They either ask for payment up front or ask the victim to purchase materials, but they take the receipt. They might produce a phony invoice for materials — an invoice they found and stamped “Paid” themselves. The victim accepts this as “proof” that their money was used to buy materials/tools for the job.

    “Cheap and cash-only” repairs are very tempting. If a “friendly” stranger wants to do work for you, ask not only for their license number but also for identification. A con artist will use a legitimate license number that belongs to someone else, so call the Consumer Resource Center (1-800-394-1902) to see if the license and name match. Also ask if there have been any complaints about that person. If this seems like too much humbug, remember, one simple phone call can save you thousands of dollars and keep you from having to call the police or meet with me.

    To report suspected elder abuse, contact the Elder Abuse
    Unit at: 808-768-7536 | ElderAbuse@honolulu.gov
    www.ElderJusticeHonolulu.com

    I It’s difficult to believe that anyone would take advantage of our aloha spirit. Unfortunately, the Prosecutor’s Office has seen an increase in cases of friendly strangers who turn out to be con artists preying on seniors. Edith (not her real name) was walking through Kapi‘olani Park when Alexander Nebre approached her. He said that…

  • Joint Bank Accounts: Think Twice

    Earlier, I wrote about a woman from Waianae, who added her daughter to her bank account. The daughter was to use the money to pay contractors to remodel the mother’s home. This money was solely the mother’s, but instead of helping the mother, the daughter helped herself to the money (over $200,000) and disappeared.

    After writing that piece about how parents need to call the police when their children steal from them — I got inquiries about whether it was really theft since the mother placed the daughter on a joint account. The answer is yes. If the person you add to your bank account contributed nothing to the account, and that person takes money without your permission, a theft has occurred. Access is not ownership.

    Say for example that you let your neighbor borrow your car once. You gave him a spare set of keys but never take the time to get the keys back. One morning, your car is gone. Later you find the neighbor went joy riding. He committed the crime of unauthorized driving your car, a class “C” felony. Just because you let him drive the car before, and he had access to it, doesn’t mean he now has a controlling interest in the property.

    I caution people about adding others to their bank accounts. It may seem more convenient just to put another person on a bank account instead of writing checks or giving them cash when they need money, but a person runs a risk of becoming a victim of theft and similar crimes like the one mentioned above. Even if the person you add to the joint account is trustworthy, the more people who have access to your account, the greater the risk that it will be compromised — check register errors, a lost or stolen checkbook and identity theft are examples.

    One way to reduce the risk of theft of all your money is to create a separate, joint account for a particular purpose, like paying the bills. Only deposit enough money into that account to cover the bills. For example, if your monthly household expenses are $1,000, you can have your personal account automatically deposit that sum into a dedicated joint account with your family member who will be paying your bills. This may seem like humbug to set it up, but it will be much less effort than trying to recover from a crime committed by someone who could not resist the temptation of having access to large sums of money.

    To report suspected elder abuse, contact the ELDER ABUSE
    UNIT at: 808-768-7536 | ElderAbuse@honolulu.gov
    www.ElderJusticeHonolulu.com

    Earlier, I wrote about a woman from Waianae, who added her daughter to her bank account. The daughter was to use the money to pay contractors to remodel the mother’s home. This money was solely the mother’s, but instead of helping the mother, the daughter helped herself to the money (over $200,000) and disappeared. After…

  • 2016 Tax Planning that Works for You

    Are you looking for ways to reduce capital gains tax on the sale of your appreciated assets, save and plan for the future or save on your income taxes? A planned gift can help you achieve your goals. It’s possible to increase your income now or in the future and save money on taxes — while you create your legacy and support charitable work in your community.

    Here are a few ideas to consider for year-end planning:

    • If you own low-yielding assets and want a higher income, a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust may be worth exploring. In exchange for your charitable gift of cash or appreciated securities, you reap multiple benefits, including payments for your lifetime, a current income tax deduction and bypassing all or a portion of the capital gains on appreciated assets.
    • Making a charitable gift of your old, unneeded or obsolete life insurance policy can provide you with a charitable income tax deduction now and a reduced taxable estate later.
    • If your estate plans include leaving your residence to charity, you may wish to create a charitable life estate arrangement. You can make a charitable gift of your property today and receive a current income tax deduction while maintaining your lifetime use and enjoyment of the property.

    To see if these ideas may work for you, call your tax advisor.

    NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF HAWAII
    808-589-5976 | jeff@kidneyhi.org
    For Planned Giving: www.kidneyhawaii.org
    Main: www.kidneyhi.org | www.kidney.org

    Are you looking for ways to reduce capital gains tax on the sale of your appreciated assets, save and plan for the future or save on your income taxes? A planned gift can help you achieve your goals. It’s possible to increase your income now or in the future and save money on taxes —…

  • Secure the Next Chapter of Your Life

    One challenge to living a good life is learning how to balance the realities of today with what lies ahead — to live in the present while you wisely plan for the future. Since change is always around the corner, you owe it to your future self to consider what you’d like the next chapter of your life to be. Here are four ways to think ahead constructively.

    1. BE INTENTIONAL.

    Take time to visualize and articulate the next phase of your life. Whether your plan includes starting your own business, moving to a new job or new career, dedicating more time to volunteer work or entering into a secure retirement — it’s all good. The more detailed you can be, the better. Empower and motivate yourself by naming your goals and claiming them for yourself. You only have one life, so reach for the experiences that will be most meaningful to you and bring you a sense of fulfillment that money can’t buy.

    2. MAKE SAVING AN ON-GOING PRIORITY.

    When change comes along, it’s easier to take a leap of faith with a financial safety net in place. Regular contributions to savings — bank accounts, certificates of deposit, IRAs and employer-sponsored retirement plans, mutual funds, and stocks and bonds — can help you weather potential financial hiccups or storms that may arise on your way to retirement. Make saving a regular activity and build financial muscle that you can flex in the event of a windfall.

    3. STAY COVERED.

    Insurance is a product we all should have, yet hope we never have to use. Your insurance needs will change over time, making it especially important to review your coverage levels periodically. Homeowner’s, auto and even health insurance are required by law but don’t stop there. Disability and life insurance policies, as well as annuities with a reliable income stream, may give you and your loved ones peace of mind. A will and health directives also help make life easier under difficult circumstances.

    4. ESTABLISH A SOLID PLAN.

    Change can be scary, but it also makes life exciting. Give yourself a better chance of succeeding in the next phase of life by establishing financial guardrails. With a well-defined path for saving and investing, you can meet your personal mission. Work with a qualified financial advisor to create a savings and retirement plan designed to help you reach your goals. Revisit it regularly as you turn the pages in the next important chapter of your life.

    MICHAEL W. K. YEE, CFP
    1585 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 1100, Honolulu
    808-952-1222 ext. 1240 | michael.w.yee@ampf.com

    Michael W. K. Yee, CFP®, CFS®, CRPC®, is a Financial Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER practitioner™ with Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 30 years.
    Ameriprise Financial Inc. and its affiliates do not offer tax or legal advice. Consumers should consult with their tax advisor or attorney regarding their specific situation.
    Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services Inc., a registered investment adviser.
    Ameriprise Financial Services Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC.
    ©2015 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. File # 1306947

    One challenge to living a good life is learning how to balance the realities of today with what lies ahead — to live in the present while you wisely plan for the future. Since change is always around the corner, you owe it to your future self to consider what you’d like the next chapter…

  • The Legacy Relay

    wp7902c58e_01_1aWatching a running relay race is exciting. Running together at full speed and passing the baton to a teammate is thrilling to watch. I would ask you to consider that your estate plan is your relay. The definition of the word relay is “a series of persons relieving one another.” Your baton is your legacy — your intentions and wishes passed on with your material wealth. The passer of the baton must be in sync with the receiver for success. And both the passer and receiver bear responsibility for this transfer. Running together in sync, stride-for-stride is essential and requires planning. This is why including your beneficiaries and fiduciaries in the estate planning process, with clear communication is necessary in the estate planning process. Running in sync together with clear understanding of intentions can make for a successful relay of your legacy.

    If you are considering estate planning in the new year, please resist the urge to ask your attorney to simply set something up to minimize tax and avoid probate. I would ask you to give consideration to your innermost desires, intentions and needs. Go further and ask yourself the reasons underlying your desires, intentions and needs. Then, communicate these intentions to the attorney. This will build the foundation for your estate plan, and pave the way for a clear relay of your desires, intentions and needs so that your beneficiaries and fiduciaries receive your message clearly. Then, they will be more able to honor and respect your choices.

    STEPHEN B. YIM, ATTORNEY AT LAW
    2054 S. Beretania St., Honolulu 96826
    808-524-0251 | stephenyimestateplanning.com

    Watching a running relay race is exciting. Running together at full speed and passing the baton to a teammate is thrilling to watch. I would ask you to consider that your estate plan is your relay. The definition of the word relay is “a series of persons relieving one another.” Your baton is your legacy…

  • First Things First

    You may have heard the old joke, “where there’s a will… I want to be in it.” That may be true, but effective estate planning covers much more than just “who gets my stuff.” When you sift through your own reasons for doing estate planning, you may find that naming who gets your stuff takes a distant back seat to far more important considerations.

    The primary concern most of us have about our estates is figuring out how to stay in control. Does it really matter who gets your stuff if you don’t get to enjoy it during your lifetime? So the foundation of your estate plan should be making sure that you are in control of your stuff for as long as you are alive and well.

    The next step is identifying and naming your “substitute decision-makers,” who will step in and take care of your stuff if you become incapacitated or die. Naming the right individual will be one of the most important choices you make. These folks will make or break your estate plan.

    Part of staying in control of your stuff involves protecting it from creditors, predators and plain old bad luck. Think of your estate plan as a castle. Imagine a large enclosure surrounded by a moat. In the old days, the moat would be stocked with alligators. With your present-day estate plan, you can stock the moat with a different kind of gators. Litigators are attorneys paid by your insurance company to protect you from people who would like your stuff to be their stuff. Having adequate liability insurance is a critical element of your estate plan.

    The walls of your castle represent various legal structures you can put in place to protect your home, your business, your rental properties and your other assets. The legal structures might include trusts, limited liability companies, corporations, limited partnerships or a combination of entities. You can also consider using a special kind of ownership with your spouse called “tenancy by the entirety.”

    Ultimately, you will want your estate plan to assure that your stuff goes to whom you want, when you want, the way you want, with the lowest overall cost, delay and loss of privacy. You may want to put special restrictions on a gift to one beneficiary without imposing the same restrictions on your other beneficiaries. You might have special assets or special situations (including a special-needs loved one) that require careful planning. The only way to navigate the alternatives is with the help of experienced counsel who can educate you as to the available options, and help you pick the ones that are right for you and your loved ones. Good counsel can help you build the castle that is just right for your situation.

    SCOTT MAKUAKANE, COUNSELOR AT LAW
    Focusing exclusively on estate planning and trust law.
    Watch Scott’s TV show, Malama Kupuna
    Sundays at 8:30 pm on KWHE, Oceanic channel 11
    www.est8planning.com
    O‘ahu: 808-587-8227 | maku@est8planning.com

    You may have heard the old joke, “where there’s a will… I want to be in it.” That may be true, but effective estate planning covers much more than just “who gets my stuff.” When you sift through your own reasons for doing estate planning, you may find that naming who gets your stuff takes…

  • Who You Gonna Call? Scambusters!

    With Thanksgiving approaching, we are reminded to be appreciative of what we have; oftentimes, this leads to opening up our hearts (and wallets) to those in need. Unfortunately, there are those who would use dishonesty to profit from a giving heart.

    Earlier this year the Federal Trade Commission and Attorneys General of 50 states prosecuted and fined four national cancer charities allegedly run by one family, which collected over $187 million but spent nearly all of it on themselves.

    Fake charities are everywhere, and the level of energy con artists use to make their schemes seem legitimate can make it difficult to differentiate them from real giving organizations. When donating to charities, it is important to take the time to get to know the charity and conduct your own investigations about their mission.

    If a charity is contacting you via phone — listen to their pitch, but give them no personal information and hang up. Telephone solicitation is expensive and some of the money you give will be used to pay the person who called you. If you are interested, investigate the charity online and donate directly to them to eliminate that “middle man” who just called. This will ensure that all of your money will go to the charity and not the person calling you on the phone.

    Today’s cost of operating a charity makes it virtually impossible for a charity to direct 100 percent of your contribution to program activities. Yet, be aware that efficient charities spend about 75 percent on programs and services, and less than 25 percent on fundraising and administrative fees. The best way to make sure your donation helps the right people is to do a little research.

    Ways to check legitimacy of a charity:

    • Proper licensing. Check with the Charity Division of the State Office of the Attorney General at 808-586-1480 or go online to the American Institute of Philanthropy at www.charitywatch.org.
    • Proper registering. A properly approved charity should be registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charity to receive tax-deductible contributions. Check online with the IRS at www.irs.gov.

    Lastly, keep a record of all your donations and who you help support. This can help you plan your charitable giving and avoid just responding to the numerous solicitations (junk mail) you will receive once you do decide to give.

    To report suspected elder abuse, contact the Elder Abuse Unit at: 808-768-7536 | ElderAbuse@honolulu.gov www.ElderJusticeHonolulu.com

    With Thanksgiving approaching, we are reminded to be appreciative of what we have; oftentimes, this leads to opening up our hearts (and wallets) to those in need. Unfortunately, there are those who would use dishonesty to profit from a giving heart. Earlier this year the Federal Trade Commission and Attorneys General of 50 states prosecuted…

  • Profiting From a Giving Heart

    With Thanksgiving approaching, we are reminded to be appreciative of what we have; oftentimes, this leads to opening up our hearts (and wallets) to those in need. Unfortunately, there are those who would use dishonesty to profit from a giving heart.

    Earlier this year the Federal Trade Commission and Attorneys General of 50 states prosecuted and fined four national cancer charities allegedly run by one family, which collected over $187 million but spent nearly all of it on themselves.

    Fake charities are everywhere, and the level of energy con artists use to make their schemes seem legitimate can make it difficult to differentiate them from real giving organizations. When donating to charities, it is important to take the time to get to know the charity and conduct your own investigations about their mission.

    If a charity is contacting you via phone—listen to their pitch, but give them no personal information and hang up. Telephone solicitation is expensive and some of the money you give will be used to pay the person who called you. If you are interested, investigate the charity online and donate directly to them to eliminate that “middle man” who just called. This will ensure that all of your money will go to the charity and not the person calling you on the phone.

    Today’s cost of operating a charity makes it virtually impossible for a charity to direct 100 percent of your contribution to program activities. Yet, be aware that efficient charities spend about 75 percent on programs and services, and less than 25 percent on fundraising and administrative fees. The best way to make sure your donation helps the right people is to do a little research.

    Ways to check legitimacy of a charity:

    • Proper licensing. Check with the Charity Division of the State Office of the Attorney General at
      808-586-1480 or go online to the American Institute of Philanthropy at www.charitywatch.org.
    • Proper registering. A properly approved charity should be registered with the IRS as a 501(c)
      (3) charity to receive tax-deductible contributions. Check online with the IRS at www.irs.gov.

    Lastly, keep a record of all your donations and who you help support. This can help you plan
    your charitable giving and avoid just responding to the numerous solicitations (junk mail) you will
    receive once you do decide to give.

     

    To report suspected elder abuse, contact the Elder Abuse Unit at: 808-768-7536 | ElderAbuse@honolulu.gov | www.ElderJusticeHonolulu.com

    With Thanksgiving approaching, we are reminded to be appreciative of what we have; oftentimes, this leads to opening up our hearts (and wallets) to those in need. Unfortunately, there are those who would use dishonesty to profit from a giving heart. Earlier this year the Federal Trade Commission and Attorneys General of 50 states prosecuted and…

  • Take a Day to Organize Your Finances

    If you’re like most people, you periodically set aside time to clean out your home, garage or closets. It’s equally important to organize your finances. This checklist can help you get started:

    • Cancel unused credit cards: Don’t throw away money on annual fees for credit cards you don’t use. First, cash in any rewards points you have earned and then cancel the account. Of course, take into consideration whether canceling the card will negatively affect your credit rating.
    • Cancel unused memberships: Did a new at-home exercise routine replace your trips to the health club or gym? Did you give up playing golf at the local club? Consider canceling your membership. Even if you have to pay a cancellation fee, you may quickly recoup your financial losses.
    • Consolidate accounts: You don’t necessarily need multiple checking, savings, investment, retirement or credit card accounts. The little bit of time it takes to consolidate them will be made up when you have less mail to open, less statements to reconcile, less records to file and less bills to pay. When it comes to credit, you may also earn more rewards if you stick to one or two cards.
    • Negotiate better deals with service providers: Whether it’s your cable, Internet or waste removal company, chances are you can negotiate a better rate. Simply get quotes from competitors. If they offer lower rates for the same services, ask your service provider if they will price match to keep your business. If not, switch to someone new.
    • Update your financial records: Make a list of your current financial accounts, contacts and passwords. Keep it in a safe and secure place.
    • Update your beneficiary designations: Your beneficiary designations override your will. Your will and your beneficiary designations both need to be up to date. So, if you’ve experienced a marriage, divorce, birth, adoption or death, make sure your beneficiary designations reflect your wishes.
    • Review your homeowners and auto insurance coverage: Make sure your insurance coverage reflects your present needs. Also, price shop the same coverage with different providers. Whether you switch to a new provider or use this information to strike a deal with your current provider, you could save a significant amount in annual premiums.
    • Simplify your investments: If tracking various investments is stressing you out, consider asset allocation or managed accounts. Attempting to manage and track too many investment accounts can require a great deal of time and, if you’re not on top of the details, can prevent you making the best investment choices for your portfolio. Consider working with a financial professional to help you organize your finances and help you determine what kinds of investments might work best for you. Ask your financial advisor for more ideas and strategies on ways to save.

    Michael W. K. Yee, CFP
    1585 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 1100, Honolulu
    808-952-1222 ext. 1240 | michael.w.yee@ampf.com

    Michael W K Yee, CFP®, CFS®, CRPC®, is a Financial Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER practitioner™ with Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. in Honolulu, HI. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 30 years. Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC.
    © 2015 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. File #12606695

    If you’re like most people, you periodically set aside time to clean out your home, garage or closets. It’s equally important to organize your finances. This checklist can help you get started: Cancel unused credit cards: Don’t throw away money on annual fees for credit cards you don’t use. First, cash in any rewards points…

  • The Most Important Document

    The one estate planning document that everyone 18 and older should have is an Advance Health-Care Directive. It is not the sexiest tool in the estate planning toolbox, but it can head off family strife, heartache, and needless attorney’s fees as no other document can.

    Karen Ann Quinlan, Nancy Cruzan, and Terri Schiavo. Sound familiar? They were three beautiful young women whose legacies are protracted legal battles over how they would be cared for after they lost the ability to speak for themselves.

    Karen’s case determined that “medical treatment” includes life-sustaining measures (such as use of a ventilator to keep a person breathing), and that those measures can be declined by a patient or someone acting on the patient’s behalf.

    Karen’s parents succeeded in having the ventilator that was keeping her alive removed, but Karen lived another 10 years because her parents did not believe that food and water should be withheld from her.

    Nancy’s case went a step further. In that case, the battle was between Nancy’s family, who believed that Nancy would not want to be sustained on a tube, and the State of Missouri, who asserted that only the patient can make that decision.

    Unfortunately, Nancy had never given written instructions about her wishes. After Nancy’s family presented sufficient evidence to convince the court that Nancy did not want to be kept alive on a tube, food and water were withdrawn.

    She died 13 days later, but eight years had passed since the car accident that had rendered her incapacitated and launched the legal battle over her care.

    Terri’s case involved the question of who has the authority to make end of life decisions on behalf of an incapacitated person. The law of Florida, where Terri lived, automatically conferred that authority on her spouse.

    When the dust cleared following the legal battle between Terri’s husband and her parents over whether her feeding tube should be removed, Florida law was upheld, and Terri’s husband gave the order that led to Terri’s death 13 days later.

    These cases teach us is that we have a right to say “enough is enough” when it comes to our medical care, including tube feeding. We also have the right to name who will speak for us when we cannot speak for ourselves.

    The only way to be sure that your wishes will be known and carried out is by having a clear and comprehensive advance health-care directive.

    Scott Makuakane, Counselor at Law
    Focusing exclusively on estate planning and trust law.
    Watch Scott’s TV show, Malama Kupuna
    Sundays at 8:30 pm on KWHE, Oceanic channel 11
    www.est8planning.com
    O‘ahu: 808-587-8227 | maku@est8planning.com

    The one estate planning document that everyone 18 and older should have is an Advance Health-Care Directive. It is not the sexiest tool in the estate planning toolbox, but it can head off family strife, heartache, and needless attorney’s fees as no other document can. Karen Ann Quinlan, Nancy Cruzan, and Terri Schiavo. Sound familiar?…

  • Save Crucial Time: Register for Smart911

    Generations Magazine - Save Crucial Time: Register for Smart911 - Image 01The Honolulu Police Department recently rolled out Smart911™, a free 9-1-1 service available to residents of O‘ahu. Registration is free at www.Smart911.com.

    Smart911 allows you to file information with 911 — about your disability, medications you take or how to gain emergency access to your home, if you are unable to answer the door.

    When you call 911 in the future, your information will be available to the dispatcher and the EMTs who come to the rescue. If they already know you are in a wheelchair, or to watch out for the dog, precious time will be saved — in emergencies, every second counts.

    It’s easy to visit www.Smart911.com and create your safety profile for Smart911. You choose what information you want to share with 911. This service is available nationwide, to assist you and your family in emergencies, even when you are traveling. Not on O‘ahu? Register now so your information will be available immediately when Smart911 comes to your island.

    Honolulu Police Department, Smart 9-1-1
    General Assistance: 808-529-3111
    www.HonoluluPD.org | www.Smart911.com

    The Honolulu Police Department recently rolled out Smart911™, a free 9-1-1 service available to residents of O‘ahu. Registration is free at www.Smart911.com. Smart911 allows you to file information with 911 — about your disability, medications you take or how to gain emergency access to your home, if you are unable to answer the door. When…