PUMPING IRON

Your congressman, hard at working out

The Internet's various message tools let us know just about everything we need to know from, and about, our elected officials — and perhaps some things we don't want to know. The latter includes this Twitter posting, noticed by the Washington Post, by Hawaii's own U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie: “;just completed weightlifting workout at the Nuuanu Y.”;

Oh great, now the imagery is lingering ...

ANYBODY HOME?

Billionaire seems deaf to complaints

Some Kahala homeowners are fed up with Gensiro Kawamoto, the absentee landlord apparently oblivious to complaints about the dilapidated condition of some of his properties in the upscale Oahu neighborhood, including on oceanfront Kahala Avenue. The community association reportedly hopes to force the Japanese billionaire to spruce up his properties, citing deed covenants that require homes and grounds to be well maintained.

DON'T BE A TWIT

Twittering away the time — out of the car

Talk about mixed messages.

At least 22 states that ban cell-phone texting while driving offer some type of service that allows motorists to get information via Twitter, according to The Associated Press. That includes messages about traffic tie-ups, road conditions or emergencies.

But state transportation officials say they are not encouraging people to get online behind the wheel, but that drivers should read their messages before hitting the road.

“;We don't want people reading their tweets while they're driving,”; said Sally Ridenour, Oregon's transportation spokeswoman.

There is no statewide ban on texting while driving in Hawaii, but there is a Honolulu city ordinance banning the use of cell phones while driving unless it's with a hands-free device.