Question: I have been coming to Waikiki every year for 34 years. It's wonderful. But why aren't people allowed to access the large grassy area by the banyan tree at Kuhio Beach (near the intersection of Uluniu and Kalakaua avenues). It has been roped off for the past two years, and anyone crossing is quickly asked to “;stay off the grass”; by park employees. Why can't it be opened up so people who can't otherwise walk in the sand have a comfortable place to sit and still be close to the beach?

Answer: That area is off limits most of the time to preserve the grass for people to sit on during free hula shows held on the Kuhio Beach hula mound on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights.

It is not otherwise open to beachgoers because it was a losing battle to maintain the grass when people were allowed to sit there with their beach equipment, towels, mats, suntan lotion, etc., said Lester Chang, director of the city Department of Parks and Recreation.

“;The grass was dying all the time,”; he said. The decision was made to support the hula shows by designating that area for audience seating.

The shows, staged “;weather permitting,”; are co-sponsored by the city, the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Waikiki Improvement Association.

Earth Day Recycling

We get frequent questions about where to recycle certain items. Here's a good resource to keep in mind: the monthly Aloha 'Aina Earth Day community recycling clean-up.

The Aloha 'Aina recycling project takes place in a different neighborhood each month. Residents can drop off unwanted items OR call for curbside pickup.

This month, during the 53rd cleanup, you can dispose of bulky recyclable items from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 28, at Campbell High School.

Accepted items include: scrap metal, auto parts, bicycles, metal appliances, lawn mowers, pipes and beams; newspaper and cardboard; HI-5 beverage containers; plastic bags and hangers; old passenger car tires, four per household; athletic shoes with no metal cleats; green waste; all kinds of batteries; reusable household items for Goodwill Industries; cellular phones; printer cartridges; computers, one per car (but not from school or commercial businesses); cooking oil; telephone books/magazines; used eyeglasses and hearing aids.

For curbside pickup or information, call Rowena Martinez at 689-1213 or Rene Mansho at 306-1876. You can also call Mansho for free towing of unwanted cars.

For hosting the event, Campbell High School will receive proceeds from some of the recycled items.

The Aloha 'Aina project started in 2004 and now involves 20 recyclers/businesses and a public-private partnership with the state and city.

The current schedule (subject to change) is: March 21, Nanakuli High School; April 11, Alvah Scott Elementary School; May 30, Waipahu High School - Project Grad; June 13, Friends of Makiki Library; July 18, Lanakila Multi-Purpose Senior Center; Aug. 1, Ko'olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club; Sept. 19, Kanoelani Elementary School; Oct. 17, Kaimuki High School; Nov. 7, Leeward Community College; and Dec. 5, Imua Athletics in Kailua.

E-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or check www.hawaiimetal.com for updates.