Rep. Blake Oshiro (D-33rd, 'Aiea-Halawa) is urging all Hawai'i residents to check the unclaimed property list.

Last month, Oshiro began sending notices to all residents in his district that have unclaimed property, along with information on making a claim.

Every year the state becomes the guardian of abandoned or unclaimed property from residents, including dormant checking and savings accounts, uncashed checks, stock certificates, and contents of safe deposit boxes. The state holds this property in perpetuity until the holders contact the Department of Budget and Finance to request such property or until the state can locate the appropriate owner.

Oshiro notes that information on more than 600 claims of $25 or more was sent out to residents in his district. Starting in 2004, Oshiro began working with other members in the Legislature on this project.

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

Residents are reminded to check with their financial institutions if their accounts have been inactive for over five years. Also to make sure that their bank has a forwarding address should they move away from the state or change addresses.

Residents interested in checking if they have any unclaimed property can visit the Unclaimed Property Web site: http://pahoehoe.ehawaii.gov/lilo/app.

In addition, the Unclaimed Property Division can also be contacted at 586-1589 or written communication can be sent to: State of Hawaii, Department of Budget and Finance, Unclaimed Property Program, P.O. Box 150, Honolulu, HI 96810.