Congratulations to Campbell High School student Jacob Badua for bowling a perfect 300 game.
On October 28, the Star Advertiser reported Jacob’s outstanding accomplishment at an OIA event at Schofield Barracks against Nanakuli High School.
No one can remember the last time this feat occurred, although it may have happened in the last century. Badua’s success is to be applauded and appreciated.
Bowling a perfect game is a difficult task, even for professional bowlers. Jacob’s achievement in high school is rare and one to be proud of. His pursuit to bowl in college and then pursue a professional career is on the right track and one to watch.
This Ewa Beach freshman is a special talent as he and his teammates prepare for the state championships in November.
We wish him and his teammates the best in their tournaments and know that Ewa Beach will be represented well at the local bowling alleys.
The Pamana Art Exhibit at Honolulu Hale in celebration of Filipino American History Month in October recently ended, and Corinne Gallardo and Leo Gaza once again did a fantastic job showcasing local artists and their artwork.
I was honored to have two paintings displayed along with many other talented artistas.
Participating artists in the show were Jimmy Tablante, Yvonne Manipon, Alton Tacata, Roland Serania, Corinne Gallardo, Yana Cabana, Maureen Izon, and Janet Costantino.
Other featured artists included Ken Nakamura, Ka-Ning Fong, Donald Cage, Frances Wong, Cassie Zhang, Phillip Riley, Esperance Rakotorina, Frank Oliva, Addy Mirza, Rchel Melander, Steven Lum, Pearl Ling, Edd Harnas, Stephen Kakaio, Larry Geyrozaga, George Davis, Leila Diamond, Charene Davis, Tanya D’Avanzo, Nancy Chodosh, Peter Chuberko, and Hana McEvilly.
In another art event in Waipahu, the new Westside Artists Alliance will have a celebration of art at the Westgate Shopping Center on November 8 and 9.
Lohiau’s Banquet Room and Camille’s Hawaiian Food will host the two-day art extravaganza as holiday shopping begins for all.
The weekend will feature an art exhibition and sale, music, videos, refreshments, and more. Everyone is welcome to visit.
Featured artists are CJ Aloe, Zach Angeles, Matthew Tactacan, Catalina aka Waipahu Willie, Jimmy Tablante, Corinne Gallardo, Nalani Sato, Chanel Tanaka, Candice Gallardo, SisterFace, Grant Larson, Woosung Lee, Robert Mace, Enoka Phillips, Shiloh Perkins, Vincent Bercasio, Will Espero, and students from Waipahu High School.
A one-day pop-up art show and sale will also occur on December 13, Saturday, at the same locations in Waipahu. Mark your calendars and support local artists during the holiday season.
The long-awaited rail system (HART), currently being built, hit a new milestone by opening the route from Kapolei to Middle Street in Kalihi.
Commuters can now catch a ride in Ho’opili (Ewa Beach/Kapolei), Waipahu, Leeward Community College, Pearl City, Pearlridge, Aiea, the stadium, Pearl Harbor Base, the airport, and the Middle Street bus station.
HART (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation) will eventually go to Kakaako with possible plans to the Ala Moana Shopping Center and the University of Hawaii.
It is not an inexpensive project, but the value of rail in 10, 20, and 30 years will be obvious and apparent as future generations have another option to travel east to west, the urban corridor where the majority of Oahu residents reside.
HART is about mobility and getting people from point A to point B in a fast, reliable mode of transportation.
Commuters on rail don’t have to worry about traffic congestion caused by stalled vehicles, accidents, wet roads, debris on freeways, highway construction, or distracted drivers.
The ride is comfortable and clean, and as more housing is built by the rail stations, more people will use the system to move around.
With driverless cars being slowly developed and used, it is possible that the children born today or in elementary school will never need a driver’s license.
The HART system is a high-tech train that is driverless and controlled at the headquarters overlooking Pearl Harbor. Feeder buses will assist those who need to use public transit.
I know the costs are over-budget, but this is an expense our island needs.
A strong economy and an island of a million residents need consistent, reliable transportation systems, and residents will now have the choices of walking, car-pooling, driving their own vehicle, cycling, The BUS, and rail.
As transit-oriented development (TOD) begins, more shopping, government services, non-profit organizations, and affordable housing and rentals will be available along the rail line.
I see the HART system being an economic catalyst for the communities to run through. Small businesses along the rail line should benefit.
Moreover, when the system opens in 2030 to Kakaako, more tourists will ride the rail and help pay for the annual maintenance.
The HART system is here to stay and will pay huge dividends in the future. Naysayers may disagree, but the same feelings were present when San Francisco opened its rail system long, long ago.
Just be patient and watch. I, for one, will definitely use the rail to travel to town. I have taken my bicycle on the rail line and have ridden on the Leeward Bikeway back home to Ewa.
Soon, I will take the rail to Keehi Lagoon Park with my bike and ride back home along the sidewalks and bike paths available.
With all the decades of debate and discussion, it’s great to see this dream and vision for Oahu come to fruition.
One day, I will catch the rail with my bike and find a safe route from downtown to the Ewa Plain. I’m looking forward to the views, open air, and exercise.
WILL ESPERO retired from the Hawaii legislature after serving 19 years in the state House of Representatives and state Senate. He is currently a novelist, poet, and supporter of the arts. Lingering Thoughts provides a glimpse of his perspective on current events and issues.
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