… April 1 is creeping up on us, when we need to have our census forms completed and mailed. And then we have April 15 right behind it, when Uncle Sam wants his due. But if it’s the state that owes you a refund, you’ll have to wait ’til July – you hope it arrives in July, but with all the hanky panky going on up at the capitol, who knows?!…

… and LAHAINATOWN ACTION COMMITTEE’S OCEAN ARTS FESTIVAL two weekends ago was a huge success – all the participants and volunteers worked hard, and it showed…

… by the time you read this, we’ll know if we have a health care bill, and if the U.S. has joined the many other countries on the planet in providing health care for the entire nation – not just being available to those who can afford it…

… too bad the President had to postpone his trip to Australia and Indonesia – wonder if his old school in Java is on the agenda?…

… with the snow melting at the top of the world, exposing a Northwest Passage, pretty soon it will be a zip to sail from Europe to San Francisco – lurking icebergs not withstanding, and lurking Russian coastal vessels not withstanding!!…

… I am a viewer of Channel 11, and I must say the new format of news coverage is a winner. I, too, was getting tired of the old Jim Lehrer format, and all the good reporter announcers were fleeing the ship. The BBC news sector is a welcome addition, and my take is that it has jolted the news hour into giving us wider world news coverage. And on time, too – not a couple of days later…

…but back on the block, the shipwreck eyesore is still sitting on the reef in the middle of Lahaina’s seashore – AUWE!!…

… and the proposal to have the State DOT and County of Maui discuss a feasibility study on what it would take to implement a light rail system is a good one. Now is the time to get this on the agenda with future planning before it is too late and there ain’t no place to put it!!…

… and the fact that many West Maui resorts are running 100 percent occupancy over Easter is music to our ears…

… the upcoming second annual Taste Education to be held Saturday, April 3, at the MAUI TROPICAL PLANTATION in Waikapu should be a winner. This event, part of the Maui Agricultural Festival, will feature Maui grown and raised foods cooked by 15 top Maui chefs, farmers and ranchers. There are two sessions: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Tickets are now on sale at www.mauicountyfarmbureau.com or call 243-2290. Enjoy everything from Molokai sweet potatoes to THEO MORRISON’S Launiupoko farm fresh eggs – an event not to be missed…

… and we lost another Hawaiian Treasure this past week with the death of NANI LEONG. This white-haired, statuesque Hawaiian lady would turn heads wherever she appeared with her identical twin sister, who predeceased her. In my opinion, they represented quintessential Hawaiian regal beauty with a soft Hawaiian voice to match. For many years, Nani reigned at our Lahaina Post Office and was known and admired by most West Siders. Aloha ‘oe, dear Nani – may you reign in Heaven…

Up Front Lahaina is a twice monthly feature. To protect his innocence, the writer chooses to remain anonymous. The views expressed in this column belong to the author, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Lahaina News staff and owners.