Guaranteed complaints

According to Angie’s List (www.angieslist.com), home warranty companies were the service provider that drew the most complaints for the sixth year in a row. If you’re considering a home warranty program when buying a house — to cover things such as appliances, the plumbing and the electrical wiring — check first with Angie’s List (by paid subscription) or the Better Business Bureau (free at www.bbb.org). The 2010 complaints list also included property management companies, Internet service providers, TV cable and satellite providers, and wedding professionals.

WHAT’S IN STORE

Ala Moana Center bangs and dazzles for new year

Ala Moana Center will bring in the Year of the Rabbit with dancing, cultural performances and, of course, fireworks.

Shoppers will be treated to the following events, at Centerstage, unless otherwise noted:

Today: Chinese lion dance on poles. This daring performance by Wah Ngai mixes martial arts and dance, 5:30 p.m.

Tomorrow: Kung fu master demonstration, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday: The Narcissus Queen and her court will make an appearance at noon, followed at 12:30 p.m. by a kung fu demonstration. Beginning 12:45 p.m., there will be lion dancing and fireworks at Centerstage, then lion will visit merchants throughout the mall before returning to the stage from 3 to 4 p.m. for picture taking. Kids will also get a chance to try on small lion costumes.

BEAUTY SPOT

Kali’s offers anniversary discount

Kali’s Nail Supply has been a go-to spot for nail salons for 24, going on 25 years in 2011, but less known, she’s also open to regular beauty aficionados as well.

While certain products are only available to licensed salon professionals — such as Calgel, due to training and safety issues — she stocks an array of polishes, bath and body products that anyone can purchase. One of the most popular products recently has been Spongeables shower gel-filled sponges, with several versions for humans and pets.

To mark her anniversary, she introduced a series of First Sunday sales, the next one taking place this Sunday, and due to popular request, she’s also added a First Monday sale for those who can’t make it to town on the weekend.

On both days she offers 20 percent off a $20 minimum of product purchases.

Stop by from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday or 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. On first Sundays she also presents Calgel demonstrations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. She’s at 547 Halekauwila St., in the one-story building behind the Circuit Court building. The building has a paid lot, but parking is free in the spaces marked Kali’s.

Call 585-8788; neighbor islands call toll-free 888-883-KALI (5254), or find more information online at www.kalisnailsupply.com.

Spa presents sweetheart deals

SpaHalekulani invites couples to take a romantic voyage this month, with a series of two-hour Valentine’s experiences that begin with the spa’s signature foot-pounding ritual and continues with a couples 75-minute massage or facial.

"Sweethearts’ Rendevous," which includes a relaxing soak in a Japanese furo or a steam bath, champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries and a gift basket containing SpaHalekulani’s coco-passion lotion and wash, a scented candle and Halekulani chocolates, will be available for $562, discounted from $672.

To schedule, call 931-5322 or 931-5323.

This month, guests also can enjoy a variety of complimentary weekly classes on the art of love and renewal. The sessions, from 11 a.m. to noon, are:

» "The art of massage": Learn basic massage strokes Tuesday in Halekulani Garden Terrace.

» "Renewal, a Daily Ritual": Epicuren educator Helga Desmet demonstrates daily proper care of the body and face Feb. 16 in Halekulani Garden Terrace.

» "Oxygen … Pure and Powerful": Learn why oxygen facials are more than a breath of fresh air, Feb. 23 in Halekulani Kiawe Room.

Lecture discusses historic rail cars

The Hawaiian Railway Society hosts a reception and lecture at 7 p.m. tomorrow in Ewa Beach.

Randy Hees will discuss historic railroad car preservation and restoration. Hees is the manager and curator of the Historic Patterson House and Ardenwood Farms and the historian and curator of the Society of the Preservation of Carter Railroad Resources, both in Fremont, Calif.

Hees is currently working with the local rail society to survey and assess rail cars in the museum collection.

Admission is free. The lecture will be held at 91-1001 Renton Road. Call 681-5461 for reservations.

Event to benefit ill UH professor

A benefit to pay for the medical treatment of University of Hawaii associate professor Cristy Kessler will be held from 2 to 4:45 p.m. Saturday at Jimmy Buffett’s restaurant at the Beachcomber in Waikiki.

The benefit features free food and entertainment from local school music groups and entertainers. Beverages will be available for purchase. Tickets cost $25 per person.

The funds raised will be used to help pay for a stem cell transplant for Kessler, who suffers from three autoimmune diseases — scleroderma, vasculitis and ankylosing spondylitis — that have taken a toll on her organs and joints.

Her health insurance does not cover the stem cell or bone marrow treatments.

Friends of Kessler have set up the One of Our Own Fund to help her get bone marrow and stem cell transplants in Istanbul, Turkey. The group is in the process of obtaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and intends to raise funds for others with the same plight as Kessler.

For more information, visit www.oneofourownfund.org.

Find local foods at Fresh Market

Peruse Fresh Market, featuring some of Hawaii’s finest eco-minded products, at Fresh Cafe from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Food-related products include local fruit hand-dipped in local chocolate, produce from Ho Farms, Too Hot Tomatoes’ fried green tomatoes, Ono Pops, Maui cattle beef burgers, and healthy plate lunches and local eggs from the Hawaiian Chef.

Admission is $1, with children under 12 free. Fresh Cafe is at 831 Queen St. Call 688-8055.

The event is organized by Fresh Cafe and Hawaii’s sustainable living magazine Green.

Cooking class helps with health

Equip yourself with healthy snack alternatives at a cooking class titled "Green Smoothies, Fruits and Vegetables" at Kahuku Public & School Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Kahuku resident Jana Stratton will share information, recipes and free samples of plant-based food that help maintain good health.

Admission is free. Call the library, at 56-490 Kamehameha Highway, at 293-8935.

Aviation museum seeks volunteers

The Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, which recently opened its second World War II hangar for visitors, is seeking volunteers.

The museum is looking for docents, greeters and restoration crew members who can work on aircraft alongside experienced mechanics.

Flight simulator air bosses, who teach guests how to fly virtually, are also in need.

No experience is necessary, but volunteers must be at least 18 years old or partnered with a parent.

Volunteers receive free admission to the museum and other Pearl Harbor historic sites, as well as discounts at the museum gift shop.

Contact volunteer coordinator Loretta Fung for more information and an application at 441-1008, or e-mail her at Tours@PacificAviationMuseum.org.