During my initial visit to the Motor Vehicle & Licensing Division in Kahului, where I waited almost three hours to be seen, I was asked by a young worker at the window how I got from my maiden name to my current married name. Informing her it's what happens when one reaches my age, she informed me I would need to produce document trails connecting my maiden name to my first and second name changes.
I possessed a divorce decree (uncertified) from my second marriage but was unable to locate marriage licenses from either of my marriages. After six weeks of hitting nothing but roadblocks contacting websites and vital records from both Hawaii and the Mainland, I was referred to Diedre Teagarden at Gov. Neil Abercrombie's office, who proved to be sensitive and caring, providing information I had been unable to access myself.
Finally able to obtain marriage certificates from both marriages, I was prepared during my fifth visit to again be turned down as I was unable to locate another certificate. I was so fortunate to meet with Lita of the Kihei office, a wonderful advocate extremely sensitive to the difficulties faced by mature women attempting to renew driver licenses. What had taken me six weeks of time and frustration was mitigated by her in less than one hour. DMV is indeed extremely fortunate to have such an exemplary employee.
My thanks to both Lita and Diedre for their warm support and strong advocacy skills in assisting me.
Ellen Bellerose
Kihei
