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USS Missouri Memorial Association
Pays Tribute to American Heroes

The USS Missouri Memorial Association, caretaker of the world’s last battleship, will present “A Night of American Heroes,” a patriotic musical salute and fund-raising banquet, on Friday, January 19, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Coral Ballroom. Special honorees will be U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye and Jim Nabors. Senator Inouye, a World War II hero, continues his distinguished legislative career as the third most senior member of the U.S. Senate. Nabors, through an impressive career in entertainment that included his portrayal of “Gomer Pyle” in the 1964-1969 TV series of the same name, has become a symbol of American values. Truly embodying the aloha spirit, he is an ardent supporter of the U.S. Armed Forces and the Hawaii community.

U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye Jim Nabors

A 12-member committee consisting of leaders from Hawaii’s business, civic, political and retired military communities has planned a memorable gala. Co-chairs are Al Landon, chairman and chief executive officer of Bank of Hawaii Corporation, and Ed Carter, chairman emeritus of the USS Missouri Memorial Association.

Cocktails will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner; a half-hour program; and entertainment featuring Jimmy Borges, Danny Kaleikini, Emma Veary, Karen Keawehawaii and Cathy Foy. The festivities will conclude with a stirring rendition of “The Impossible Dream” by Nabors.

Battleship Missouri Memorial

“The USS Missouri Memorial Association is proud to salute Senator Inouye and Mr. Nabors—two icons of heroism,” says Don Hess, president and chief operating officer of the association. “Net proceeds from this event will fund the ongoing restoration, operation and maintenance of the Mighty Mo, so that future generations can share in her legacy when they visit the Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor.”

Tables of 10 can be purchased in the following categories: Gold, $10,000; Silver, $5,000; and Bronze, $3,000. Individual seats cost $150; $90 of the ticket price is tax deductible. The deadline for reservations is January 4. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Terri Ann Oda Galisa at 423-0607 or peruse the Web site www.ussmissouri.com.

AARP Tax-Aide Hawaii Seeks Volunteers

If you have spare time on your hands, enjoy challenges and like working with people, AARP Tax-Aide Hawaii can use your help. Administered through the AARP Foundation in cooperation with the IRS, it is the nation’s largest free volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service for middle- and low-income taxpayers. The nonprofit organization pays special attention to those aged 60 and older.

AARP Tax-Aide volunteers are needed to work as greeters, managers and counselors at 46 tax assistance sites on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. Prospective volunteers attend an orientation meeting in late December and free training classes during the second week of January. They are then assigned to a site and asked to spend four hours per week there during the tax season, which runs from February 1 through April 15. Volunteers are reimbursed for transportation expenses to and from the site.

If you need help with your returns, simply go to the tax site with your receipts, statements, the prior year’s tax return and other necessary paperwork. Sites are open at different times and days of the week. Among the 24 Oahu sites are Harris United Methodist Church, Ala Wai Community Park, Hawaii Kai Public Library, Central Union Church, Kahuku Public Library and Waianae Community Center.

You can obtain a complete list of sites by calling 955-5776. Last year, AARP Tax-Aide Hawaii prepared close to 15,000 returns statewide.

BBB Hotline Helps Seniors
Become Savvy Consumers

Are you wondering if an offer you received in the mail is legitimate? Have you been receiving unwanted phone solicitations? Do you think you may have been the victim of a scam? If so, the Better Business Bureau’s Senior Scam Hotline can help. On Oahu, call 536-8609; on the Neighbor Islands, the toll free number is (888) 333-1593. You can place an anonymous call to this hotline and a staff person will answer any questions you might have about suspicious offers. The hotline also is a resource you can use to pick up fraud prevention tips and to report scams and questionable business practices.

BBB spokesperson Bonnie Horibata encourages elderly consumers to do their homework before making decisions about offers and to take action immediately if they believe something is amiss. She says, “We are more likely to help people at this early stage rather than after the damage has been done financially and individuals feel their situation is hopeless. We would like them and their caregivers to feel comfortable about approaching us for guidance. We would like to be seen as a reliable source of information and a sounding board for any concerns.”

Call 536-6956 extension 320 to arrange for a BBB representative to do a free presentation on the Senior Scam Hotline for your senior citizen group or community or government organization.

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