West Bowlers Get New Alley

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Dear Friends,

Spring is just around the corner, and so is the dreaded day to file our tax returns. I hope the warmth of spring eclipses the pain of tax season.

Barbers Point Bowling Center Opening

I’m happy that Barbers Point Bowling Center officially opens March 8. Proprietors Bev Brennan and Linda Painter secured a lease with Ford Island Ventures and have been busy the last few months getting the place cleaned up and ready for bowlers. Bev and Linda want everyone to know that the bowling center is no longer just for the military, but will now be open to the public.

The opening is a welcome relief to many area bowlers who’ve had to commute to the next-closest bowling alley in Pearl City. The bowling center will feature leagues and also have open play.

Hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday/Saturday. For more information, please give them a call at 673-2695.

Volunteer Special Enforcement Officers Program Needs You!

Waipahu Neighborhood Board chairman George Yakawenko stopped by my listen-story meeting Feb. 20 in Kunia in hopes of recruiting a few more good people for the city’s Volunteer Special Enforcement Officers Program. Back in 2003, when I was a city councilman for West Oahu, I authored legislation to set up this program within HPD. This is great for retirees (perfect for golfers who are getting bored playing five days a week!) and anyone else who is willing to donate five hours a week to help their community by issuing citations for disabled parking violations, expired registrations and safety checks, parking out of stalls, and abandoned vehicles. In order to qualify, volunteers must be a U.S. citizen, at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, have a valid driver’s license, pass a background check and complete 40 hours of training. If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact Sgt. Emilio Laganse at 529-3136.

Gas-powered Leaf Blower Ban Would beWelcomeRelief for Many

You might have seen in the news recently that I introduced a bill this session, SB 2356, which would ban gas-powered leaf blowers. The main reason I’m working to get this bill passed is that many people around the island have contacted me, as Energy and Environment Committee chairman, to do something about the noise and air pollution that these things cause.

It’s a quality-of-life issue, as I’ve heard repeatedly on the phone and in person. SB 2356 would allow electric leaf blowers, which are quieter and don’t pollute the environment as much or cause problems for people who have respiratory diseases. Please contact my office if you’d like to testify on this measure.

Please contact me if I can help you in any way. My phone number is 586-6830 and e-mail is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).