THE LEFT LANE
TheBus is best
Advertiser Staff and News Services
O'ahu found a place on Reader's Digest's America's 100 Best list — but not for our beaches or year-round sunny climate. We got props for TheBus.
The May issue of the magazine showcased people, places, inventions and ideas that make the "nation worth celebrating," according to the publication.
"New York hauls the most people, and Chicago does a fine job of moving its citizens through wind, sleet and snow," Reader's Digest reported. "But The Bus, as it's known in O'ahu, has them beat."
The magazine recognized TheBus for twice receiving top awards from the American Public Transportation Association, and called it a vital service for commuters and one of the few municipal systems that also caters to tourists.
Double comet delight
Backyard astronomy fans can view two comets in the sky this month.
Throughout parts of May and June, comets LINEAR and NEAT (named after the search programs that discovered them) will be visible through binoculars. Neither has been seen before. Either or both may brighten to the point of being visible to the unaided eye. "We say 'may' because these are both first-time comets and comets sometimes do weird things, such as break up," said Carolyn Kaichi, Bishop Museum Planetarium manager. Kaichi said an observer in Australia had reported sighting comet NEAT unaided.
From May 20, LINEAR will be visible in the night sky. To spot NEAT, look above the southwest horizon after dusk, to the left of and above the bright star Sirius.
The Hawaiian Astronomical Society will hold star parties May 29 at Kahala Community Park and Waikele Community Park. Star party information, www.hawastsoc.org; comet information, skyandtelescope.com.
Exotica in the ads
Listen up: There are some tropical vibrations coming from a new Samsung Electronics worldwide TV campaign that started last week. Don Tiki, the local band paying homage to exotica masters Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman, has hooked up with the electronics giant to provide some exotic background sounds to Samsung's "Runway" campaign.
Lloyd Kandell
"The song is a remix version of 'The Other Side of the Moon,' from our soon-to-be-released album, 'Don Tiki Adulterated — the Remix Project,' " said Lloyd Kandell, who is Fluid Floyd in Don Tiki.
