Question: I regularly play the Ewa Villages, West Loch and Pali golf courses on Sundays and have noticed that the greens are never cut to make them playable. It looks like there are no greens workers on weekends. Why doesn’t the city improve the playing conditions for the weekends, which are the busiest and most expensive times to play golf?
Answer: We checked with the Department of Enterprise Services, which oversees the city’s six golf courses, and heard from Director Guy H. Kaulukukui:
“Your reader is correct that the Department of Enterprise Services does not mow the greens on Sundays at the Ewa Villages, West Loch and Pali golf courses.
“Historically, the greens on our municipal courses were only mowed five days a week, on weekdays. The current Golf Division leadership changed this practice, and currently the greens on all courses are mowed six days a week, and some, like Ala Wai and Ted Makalena, are mowed seven days a week.
“The Golf Division is working to add the Ewa Villages, West Loch and Pali Golf courses to the seven days per week rotation, but must consult with the union before this can happen.”
We left a voice mail for the state director of the union, United Public Workers, asking about the prospects, but did not hear back by deadline.
For information about the city’s golf courses, check 808ne.ws/desgolf or call 296-2000, which also is the number to call to reserve a tee time. Golf ID holders may reserve a tee time up to a week in advance, while noncardholders may call as early as three days in advance, according to the website.
Q: Auwe! I know you’ve written about this before, but the scam calls are getting worse! I don’t answer my phone anymore!
A: These theft attempts are pervasive and getting more sophisticated, as documented by U.S. agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission and the IRS. Rather than repeating past advice, we’ll highlight an in-person opportunity to learn more about how to thwart imposter fraud — the common scam that involves anyone who poses as someone else to steal your money or identity (so they can steal your money later). These are the con artists who call falsely claiming to be a friend or relative in need; a computer technician providing an urgent upgrade; or the IRS collecting a debt, to name just a few examples.
The AARP is putting on a free “Unmasking the Imposters” workshop 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii’s Manoa Grand Ballroom, featuring a presentation by anti-fraud expert Doug Shadel, author of “Outsmarting the Scam Artists.”
You don’t have to be an AARP member to attend, but you do need to preregister by calling 877-926-8300 or going to aarp.cvent.com/fraud6-20, according to a news release.
Parking will be $6 with validation. Scones and coffee will be served at the event, which also will celebrate AARP’s advocacy work on behalf of people over 50. The JCCH is at 2454 S. Beretania St. in Moiliili.
Auwe
If you are going to move to Hawaii, buy a car and abandon it when you leave in two years, please don’t! This “short-timer” mentality has got to stop. The aina can’t take it. — A reader
Mahalo
A big mahalo to Jesus in the electronics department at Walmart on Keeaumoku Street, who found my lost wallet and turned it in to the office — the cash, credit cards and ID all there! When I went back to pick it up, I looked for him to give him a reward, but he declined to take it based on company policy. I hope they realize what a wonderful employee he is and reward him accordingly. For now the best I can do is acknowledge his honesty and sing his praises! Mahalo from the bottom of my heart! — R.G.
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
