Keep shooting skills sharp

Whatever the reason for the big annual increases in firearms registrations in Hawaii in recent years, probably the best take away is that the hours of operation at Koko Head Shooting Range ought to be expanded, and possibly a second public firing range be built in the Leeward Oahu area.

Why? Because while gun owners must graduate from a certified firearms safety class, the best way to stay safe is to practice at a proper firing range. At Koko Head Shooting Range, operating hours were trimmed significantly starting in October 2010 because of city budget cuts. Now there regularly are waiting lines.

Let’s acknowledge the value of regular practice and accommodate this growing need.

Dick Clark was far from Hawaii

It was a sad day for Hawaii baby boomers on Wednesday when they got the news that Dick Clark, thought to be the eternal teenager, had died.

Most teens with dreams of dancing on the hit TV show bid aloha to them — Hawaii seemed farther from Hollywood in those days than it did now. So much so, that almost 50 years ago a popular isle deejay pre- miered "The Tom Moffatt Show," a local version, right afterwards on what was then KHVH-TV. Clark recorded an invitation to Hawaii kids to stay tuned, as his own credits rolled.

But by then at least one Hawaii kid had appeared on the original. In 1960 Clark gave Punahou School alum Robin Luke a spot and made a hit out of his "Susie Darlin’" (that’s Luke backing up his vocals on ukulele).