Kokua Line: Can I keep personalized plate without paying?

Question: I’ve had personalized license plates for many years, and I love them, but with the price so high now, I can’t afford to keep renewing year after year. I guess I will switch to a plain plate, but I want to keep my personalized plates for sentimental reasons. Is that allowed? I don’t want to switch until I know whether I will have to turn them in.