Neighborhood board
member honored
for 20-year service

Dick Beamer, 80, says he'll
continue to serve; the city
takes applications

By Lori Tighe
Star-Bulletin

A smiling Dick Beamer, 80, said he embodies the saying that volunteers live longer.

The city honored Beamer for serving 20 years on the Ewa Neighborhood Board - and kicked off the 25th Neighborhood Board Elections in a ceremony today.

"Ever since I retired from the military, I felt this was my opportunity to serve the community," Beamer said. "I have enjoyed it and I intend to continue."

Neighborhood Board Executive Secretary Benjamin Kama Jr. hopes to punch up public interest in serving. "Interest is medium. We're looking to take it a notch up," he said. "We want more candidates to come out."

His strategy includes a $9,000 ad campaign starting today in MidWeek. Applications to run for board seats will be mailed to 300,000 homes.

"The neighborhood boards are the grass roots of the people," Kama said. "They've been effective in fighting for a number of issues, such as the Waiahole Water Ditch."

Kama especially wants to see more interest in Waimanalo and Palolo, which have the weakest participation.

The first boards began in 1975, said Hisako Takakuwa of the Neighborhood Board Commission Office. There are 32 today. The Neighborhood Board hotline is 527-5579.