A new law and a computer snafu will temporarily force hundreds of minors to jump an extra bureaucratic hurdle before obtaining driver's licenses.

For the next few months, applicants younger than 18 who have passed their road tests will have to obtain "status letters" from District Court to prove they have no pending violations, proceedings or adjudications.

The letters must be presented to the city Motor Vehicle Licensing and Permits Division before licenses are issued.

The extra step will be required until city and state computers can properly interface so that officials can check court records before issuing licenses.

A law that took effect July 1 prohibits issuing a license to a minor facing proceedings that could result in suspension or revocation of the minor's provisional license.

The computers should be able to interface in about three months, city officials said.

MAN QUESTIONED IN CAR RAMMING

A Whitmore Village man was arrested early yesterday for questioning in a car-ramming investigation.

The man, 37, allegedly was involved in an argument with a woman, 39, at about 11:30 Monday night, police said.

The woman drove off with the man in pursuit. The man allegedly rammed his vehicle into the passenger-side door of the woman's car during the chase.

Police said the woman drove to the Wahiawa police substation. The man was arrested there at 12:30 a.m. yesterday and booked on suspicion of first-degree criminal property damage.

SUSPECT CHARGED IN SHOOTING CASES

Prosecutors yesterday charged a 34-year-old man with attempted murder and other offenses stemming from two separate shooting incidents early Sunday in Nanakuli.

Police said Obed Kay allegedly tried to collect money owed him from a woman, 30. He allegedly held a gun to her neck and held her against her will before she was able to escape from him. Shots allegedly were fired at the woman.

Kay later allegedly confronted a man, 34, at another location, robbed him of items and fired shots at him.

JULY 4 FIREWORKS INJURED 17 PEOPLE

Seventeen people, 16 of them on O'ahu, were treated for July 4 fireworks-related injuries, according to tracking by the state Health Department's injury prevention and control program.

The total is the lowest since 2003, when an equal number of people were treated for fireworks-related injuries.

Burns to hands and fingers were the most common injuries, and most cases were treated between 8:15 and 9:15 p.m.