The Left Lane
Light up your life
UH Warrior fans are about to get a little brighter — and not because they're glowing from the latest string of victories. Coming today to Daiei Kaheka and Daiei Waipahu is a baseball cap whose block H logo flashes in an alternating green and white pattern with the word "Warriors." A small switch inside allows the wearer to control the fiber-optic lights.
Roy Kawamura, who serves as the manufacturer's representative with his wife, Gail, said the flashing lights can be seen "at least one block, maybe two" away. For this reason, some older people who walk early in the morning see the cap as a safety accessory. However, Kawamura said he thinks young people also will like it "because it's a novelty item." The hats, which come in green or black, are expected to range from $29-$34.
— Katherine Nichols, Advertiser staff writer
Paying tribute
In the patriotic fervor that has swept the nation, the makers of "Local Kine Cards" have designed a greeting card that pays tribute to victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack while extending aloha and expressing a hope of peace for the future. Maile Way Products will donate all profits from the cards, which are in Longs and other stores now, to relief efforts. The card displays an American flag surrounded by a plumeria lei with the words "Unity Strength Aloha," spelling out USA. Inside, the greeting simply says, "Peace."
— Wanda A. Adams, Advertiser staff writer
Battling androids
Stand back, Musashimaru. You're being replaced by a machine.
An exaggeration, perhaps. But there will be robots doing their utmost to impersonate sumo wrestlers at the first "BugBotWars," a robotics competition for students, part of the Oceanic Cable Computer Expo 2001. The robo-sumo ring will open on the Neal Blaisdell Center exhibition floor at 2 p.m. tomorrow. (The expo itself opens 11 a.m. today, including the usual displays and the established HiTechQuest, video and computer-building contests.)
David Holmes-Smith, a programming instructor at Heald College and planner of the contest, said true robotics education promotes understanding of computing at its most basic level. "Everything they need you can buy right off the shelf," he said. "Students then can really do R and D (research and development). They can create their own devices." Expo admission: $5; kids 3 and under admitted free.
— Vicki Viotti, Advertiser staff writer
