Show me the Money!

Well, only if you have unclaimed funds that the state Department of Budget and Finance is guarding. Unless Hawaii residents officially request what is theirs or the state can locate appropriate owners, dormant checking and savings accounts, un-cashed checks, stock certificates and safe deposit boxes will remain with the state forever.

That is why Rep. Blake Oshiro and other lawmakers began alerting their districts of all unclaimed property. In Aiea and Halawa, Rep. Oshiro's district, hundreds of claims have been made for unclaimed property since the start of the legislature's alert project in 2004. In October, notices were sent out to households informing them of the over 600 claims of $25 or more.

"I'm just trying to get this property back into the hands of my constituents – it's rightfully theirs in the first place, but they simply may not have been aware of the money sitting there," said Rep. Oshiro. "Since we're in a financially unpredictable time right now in Hawaii, this is one way we can try to help out."

Everyone can use a little or a lot of extra cash right now, so if you think you may have unclaimed property please visit: http://pahoehoe.ehawaii.gov/lilo/app. Or by phone: 586-1589. Or by snail mail: State of Hawaii, Department of Budget and Finance, Unclaimed Property Program, P.O. Box 150, Honolulu, HI 96810.