Bowling keeps on rolling

Centers on military bases pick up the slack as the number of Oahu's public alleys declines

Bowlers can always turn to military bases to roll a few games because of the dwindling number of commercial bowling alleys on Oahu.

Only three public alleys will remain after the closure of Waialae Bowl in February. They are Aiea, Leeward and Kailua (Pali Lanes). Kam Bowl in Kalihi closed June 15.

Sharing The Lanes For hours of operation at military bowling centers, call these phone numbers: Army Schofield Bowling Center: 655-0573 Fort Shafter Bowling Center: 438-6733 Wheeler Bowling Center: 656-1745 Air Force Hickam Air Force Base Bowling Center: 449-2702 Navy Naval Station Lanes: 473-2651 Barbers Point Bowling Center: 682-5146 Marines K-Bay Bowling Center: 254-7693

Seven military bowling centers on the island are open to civilians, but four require sponsorship. Members of the military will always be given priority over civilians to use the facilities if they are crowded.

"Military (bowling) houses do more for the community than people know," said Deborah Bruns, manager of the K-Bay Bowling Center at Marine Corps Base Hawaii at Kaneohe Bay.

Bruns said there are enough bowling alleys on military bases to make up for the lack of public alleys. Right now, there is not enough business during the day to keep K-Bay open before 5 p.m., she added.

At all military entrance gates, civilians over 15 must show photo IDs, and drivers must be able to produce proper insurance, safety and registration certification.

K-Bay hosts many city, state, community and private agency tournaments after they receive prior permission, she said.

Regular customers can apply annually for a "Friends of K-Bay" membership card or call the center for sponsorship prior to arrival at the base's security gate, Bruns said. Customers can also get a military member to sponsor them or a civilian employee with the Department of Defense Common Access Card ID.

The Hickam Air Force Base Bowling Center and the Navy alleys at Pearl Harbor and Barbers Point also require military sponsorship or a DOD Common Access Card ID.

The Army's three bowling sites do not require a military sponsor. They also offer a Friends of Morale, Welfare and Recreation ID card, according to Earl Lee, manager of the Schofield and Wheeler bowling centers.

The third Army site is the Fort Shafter Bowling Center. (There is another at Tripler Army Medical Center, but it is only for military use.)

Bruns said civilian patronage fell off with tightened security after Sept. 11, 2001, but "now they're (the bases) loosening up a little."