Throwing Stones – MidWeek March 25, 2026

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With Kuhio Day and a planned recess this Friday, our legislature takes a breather before getting deciphering concurrent resolutions, dissecting crossover bills, et al. It’s the all-hands-on-deck moment now as legislators churn out (hopefully) productive, passable legislation over the next 40 days. 

We read what bills are still alive and which ones have been committee-d or shelved. Interested parties might quietly reflect on where things stand… if only we had a reflecting pool around the state Capitol. Alas, the state’s Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) noted problems with the Capitol pools, including water quality and leakage… way back in 1969. 

Restoration/replacement work has been suggested, designed, planned, modified, protested, re-submitted, delayed, re-conceptualized, procured, lamented, postponed, and canceled. Estimates for repairs now total almost $50 million. Perhaps it should have been dealt with in 1969, 1979, or 2009. Perhaps fittingly (actually, nothing is fitting in this debacle), current plans include panels featuring “…abstract representations of oceans and volcanoes…” (Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Jan. 18, 2026). Abstract certainly seems appropriate after 47 years of slow, torturous water dripping and obfuscation. 

The saying goes: “People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”. I commented last month about the annual nasty, debilitating hearings that are presided over by the hypocritical folks whose own legislative house has been in drastic disrepair as basement paperwork and vital electronics got trashed due to inattention and inaction for 45+ years; with no accountability.

Fire alarms went off in the state Capitol just before the 2026 session began, causing elevators to shut down and people to be evacuated. And then the Marx Brothers contractors got replaced by Moe, Larry, and Curly… We also have the $150 million Hale Ho’ola State Hospital, which has had myriad problems since its 2021 opening, with repeated repairs the now-accepted norm… 

We have the Convention Center, where delays and lack of urgency will cost $100 million to repair, with lost business an obvious byproduct of incessant inertia and inefficiency… And the Department of Health building is being abandoned as 500+ employees move downtown so that deferred maintenance can finally take place… after 20 years.

If you wonder why some funding requests/projects get tossed aside amid rude hearings, condescending tones, and a generally dismissive atmosphere, calmly “reflect” back to these numerous state projects that have been stalled, mishandled, fumbled, or ignored while piling up repair dollar needs; dollars that could have proactively helped elsewhere.

Think about it…

Walk This Way – MidWeek March 18, 2026

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Prolific songwriter and noted social critic, Neil Young, sings in his jangly, sludgy “City Life (Country Home)”: “I’m thankful for my country home, it gives me peace of mind; 

Somewhere I can walk alone, and leave myself behind.”

That line caused me to think about how we all could use an escape from the vagaries, daily rituals, and worries of life… and even an escape from ourselves sometimes. Walking- what a concept- is simple yet therapeutic: spiritually, physically, emotionally, interpersonally, mentally, etc.

Whether in your neighborhood, around a park or mall, at the beach, up a trail, alone, with the dog or kids, a loved one, a friend, a posse… the possibilities- if you’re physically able- are endless. Walking helps your brain, lungs, muscles, heart, blood flow… that list is endless. Walk and listen to the birds, the wind, a podcast, music; simply enjoy the scenery, the moment. Leave yourself behind, as Neil suggests. 

But how does one find the time and discipline to employ/enjoy this simple stimulation that provides proven rewards? Make it a routine; set aside time by scheduling it into your phone, your brain, or your life. When reminded by experts about the need to get 150 minutes of exercise weekly, it seems overwhelming, daunting, and undoable, especially if you’re working two jobs, dealing with kids’ practices, driving allover, getting meals prepared or… well, fill in your own ritualistic roadblocks here.

We make regular medical appointments, (hopefully) brush our teeth twice daily, get to school and/or work on time. We plan. Try making this walking thing a habit, an expectation, a routine. Forget 150 minutes per week if you’re currently at 0. Start with a daily walk around the block or somewhere reasonable near your home, or at lunchtime while at work. Even ten minutes daily would give you a vital start on getting mobile. Movement after meals is good for circulation; stagnation- not so much. 

Again, we’re not just talking about physical benefits. Walking triggers the release of endorphins, serotonin and dopamine from the brain which can reduce anxiety, stress, and even depression, while providing a pathway to mental clarity and a natural energy boost. No pills, vapes, drags, or bottles/cans. I’m not proselytizing nor over-simplifying here, but rather pointing out that, amid mayhem and madness, there’s a way to find beneficial moments of natural peace and personal accomplishment in our accessible, alluring environs.

Think about it…

Critter Critique – MidWeek March 11, 2026

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I happened upon a wild boar while driving the up a windy road the other day in a rural, wooded area. As the pig shuffled off into the woods, I though how refreshing it would be if human, wild boors or even your standard bores would just do the same thing- shuffle off. But I digress…

We have numerous interesting, unique critters and creatures throughout our great state, and wild boars are just one that we sometimes take for granted. Behold the forlorn mongoose- brought here on a work visa from Jamaica (not India) 140 years ago to repel rampant rats infesting the local sugarcane fields. Alas, mongooses are diurnal creatures, while rats roam at night, so this nascent animal employment opportunity was an immediate and complete failure. 

We have mongooses throughout our state, the only U.S. state with this family Herpestidae member. (Please notice the word “pest” in the middle of this mammal’s name!) Yet so few stories pop up about mongoose/human interactions. They will steal musubi (plastic wrapper included) from a golf cart and dart across the road, but while we’re home to thousands of these low riders running around, you rarely hear tales about mongoose/man confrontations. Hmmm, though originally brought here to protect cane, we’re not hearing about mongooses raising Cain…

Back to boars… I was driving Kailua-bound up the Pali Highway at dusk years ago and witnessed vehicles in front of me strangely parting to the left or right. Now this was not a biblical event starring Moses, it was rather a bullheaded boar meandering up the highway. No doubt he was lost. How did I know it was a “he”? Simple; he wouldn’t ask for directions, preferring to find (or not find) his own way.

Monk seals were first named about 250-years ago because they have hooded neck rolls which look like monk cowls (I guess). Yet the local proliferation of this species is most assuredly un-monk-like. Kaiwi (RK96) gave birth to her 6th pup in 2024; Rocky (RH58) has allegedly given birth to at least 15 pups. We happily gaze at Kaimana Beach and other locales as these aquatic denizens of the deep grace us with their offspring. We simply provide a seal of approval.

I could go on about our happy-face spiders, hoary bats (don’t even start), nēnē, pueo, Hawaiian Honeycreepers, and others, but alas, I fear I’m becoming a wild bore.

Think about it…

Not Living Large – MidWeek March 4, 2026

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The Economic Research Organization at the University of Hawai`i (UHERO) often releases compelling information about economic conditions here, and last month’s submission was a real eye-opener.

Professor Steven Bond-Smith and Graduate Research Assistant Eric Schwartz contend (in a nutshell) that there is more than meets the eye regarding economic realities in Hawai`i. With minimal new job development and lagging pay standards locally (compared to other major cities and states), the authors suggest that perhaps we should stop comparing Hawai`i to San Francisco or San Diego and maybe start comparing Hawai`i to places that are bereft of work opportunities, which include states ranked at the bottom of the economic spectrum.

Tourism, our economic driver for over 50 years, may be maxing out in terms of visitor numbers and hotel capacity, amenities offered, and local tolerance. Much like with the sugar and pineapple industries, tourism jobs usually don’t support lifestyles that allow longtime workers to build the retirement nest egg necessary to comfortably remain here.

Ah yes, retirement… a looming crisis in Hawai`i with too few facilities, geriatric doctors, and forethought as to what happens as folks live longer yet don‘t see enough income growth here to be able to afford the basics when reaching their golden years. Living in two- and three-generation, adult households can take its toll in many ways.

We need action. Like expanding film production credits. Let’s explore unique opportunities- like Delaware. About 90% of public U.S. companies now incorporate there, aided by fewer restrictions and a business-friendly dispute resolution system. In 2026’s digital world, Hawai`i might provide incentives to help remote businesses (re)locate here (including housing). Maybe biotech, aquaculture, and digital goods industry creation, aided by grants and incentives? 

We rely on too many archaic systems and suffer from rote lethargy whenever change is necessary. Locals are moving to Nevada, Washington, Texas, Oregon, Arizona, or California. It will be more problematic to celebrate and retain local culture and the other life facets that make Hawai`i so unique and worthwhile if too many leave. UHERO’s report is the latest to remind us.

People need an economic looking glass that is not blurry, or in perpetual disrepair. Furthermore, our local social services sector strains to continue providing much-needed relief to thousands while under great duress amid federal cutbacks. We need think tank-generated seeds planted now to grow and change the disheartening comparisons proffered in the latest UHERO report.

Think about it…

Wealth of Knowledge – MiWeek February 25, 2026

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A good, local newspaper story ran on Saturday, January 10, but perhaps you missed it. Well, good news should be shared repeatedly. Beginning this fall, Hawai`i’s Department of Education will mandate that all students must finish an accredited financial literacy course in order to graduate high school. Hawai`i’s public school system thus joins 28 other states (finally and happily) that have put this vital requirement in place.

Amid the many mind-expanding opportunities that schools hopefully provide for kids, financial literacy as a must-have is wise. The Hawai`i Council on Economic Education (HCEE) spent decades trying to push this concept through, but it’s been tough with all of the mandates placed on educators to find room, time, training, and energy to put this type of learning into place; permanently.

88% of U.S. adults believe a personal finance course should be required of kids. And why not?  Stanford’s Graduate School of Business states that roughly two-thirds of the global population cannot pass basic financial literacy tests. 

Historically, public school economic education availability directly correlated to a given school’s teacher pool. If a teacher versed in economics was on staff and engaged, you might see an elective economics course offered. But when that person moved on or retired, the school’s economics efforts went bankrupt. But no longer…

The focus of this financial literacy learning will include “earning income, spending, saving, investing, managing credit and managing risk”, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Hopefully, 2027 graduates and future alums will resist taking out home loans they probably cannot afford without pain; perhaps they’ll avoid the dreaded, drastic- plastic syndrome, caused by running up credit card debt via sometimes usurious interest rates. Maybe some will be sensitized to avoid flashing their digital appendages (a/k/a cell phones) if they crave $9 mocha, double-latte, espresso frappes. The financial crisis of 2008/2009 was birthed by too many bad home loans taken out by naïve (adult) homebuyers.

Public schools will have flexibility instituting the financial requirements- through single courses, mixed into the lessons of already-existing classes, via personal tutorial engagement and other approaches the DOE will soon offer (along with teacher training).

In a world where ignorance seems to be bliss or at least encouraged at times, where information is cheap to find and often highly inaccurate, helping our students with practical financial knowledge should serve them well in life forevermore; it’s almost like money in the bank.

Think about it…

System Failure – MidWeek February 18, 2026

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Currently, one can watch online the local version of what might be considered a modified “grand inquisition”. It’s a regular occurrence at our local legislature where citizens representing entities make requests, and (often) get slowly demeaned or grilled like huli-huli chicken by scowling committee chairs and sometimes equally disrespectful committee members (if they show up).

Some presenters do come in unprepared, with poorly laid out explanations to justify their causes. Sometimes, they’ll fairly get admonished for not providing previously requested paperwork to help detail what they want/need. But Condescension? Rudeness? Government ostensibly exists to serve the people, not to serve them up on a pupu platter.

Local legislators peruse over 3,000 proffered pieces of legislation annually, and inevitably pass about 10% of them. But why must the process be so painful? Must dedicated people trying to make a difference in Hawai’i genuflect and play the role of sycophants? Many legislators run unopposed or barely opposed in election years here, allowing them a sense of freedom (arrogance?) to act condescendingly without much fear of the ultimate retribution- losing their next election. 

Maybe a full-time, unicameral (one legislative body- see Nebraska) with better pay and longer sessions would allow folks to take a deep breath and spend more time before and during sessions working through concerns in calmer times with calmer elected officials. Jamming it in over the scant 60 working days of our law-making session seems rushed and unnecessarily unnerving.

The part-time nature of local legislators’ jobs means that many require supplemental income via second jobs, which about half of the elected folks at 415 South Beretania do. This outside work helps pay the bills, yet must surely keep the state ethics folks busy as they weigh constant, potential conflicts of interest. At least it should…

At committee meetings and public sessions, I’ve seen angst and fear take center stage as questioning devolves into “Gotcha!” sessions. It’s this over-the-top, pejorative tone that needs to ratchet down a notch. British historian, Lord Acton wrote in 1887 that “…absolute power corrupts absolutely”. Or at least it taints…

I have empathy for elected officials tasked with focused on the valuable arguments vs. the superfluous ones, but civility, respect, and the understanding that, “hey, these are your peops!” must win out over bullying, denigrating, and patronizing. Leave that to the dunderheads flailing about in Washington, D.C. It’s the one thing they excel at.

Think about it…

Cow-abunga! – MidWeek February 11, 2026

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You might have seen it reported last month about Veronika, the Austrian cow. If you were fortunate, you even might have seen it showcased two nights in a row on a local news station! Veronika, the cow, actually uses a stick to scratch herself in nether areas she simply cannot reach. Ah, the never-ending digital news cycle rewards us again…

While it’s not as big a deal as when pigs inevitably fly, it is the first recorded example of “tool use in a pet cow”. I kid you not. Well, I was attacked by a huge bunch o’ bananas while driving in windy conditions… I’ve commented about witnessing a mango free-riding down a sloped street, all by itself… but nothing compares to a cow scratching itself using methods thought to be beyond its reach… literally.

A postdoctoral veterinary researcher in Austria stated, “There are around 1.5 billion heads of cattle in the world, and humans have lived with them for at least 10,000 years. It’s shocking that we’re only discovering this now”. Holy cow! Parker Ranch- heads up!

Perhaps cows have been itching themselves strategically for years, just not in public. Maybe cats are not simply wandering our neighborhoods, but also occasionally getting in a few games of Uno. Rumor has it that wild foul fowl congregate when the urge strikes them, and they initiate a rousing chorus of “Give Peace A Chance”. Yolk-o Oh-no!?

A tree actually fell in the woods… no one was around, but it did make a sound. Though we’ve been surrounded by trees for millennia, it’s apparently the first time someone’s acknowledged this. While in Alaska, I once trekked carefully on a path where a sign read: “Beware of bears”. I stayed very aware, but luckily only proved that bears actual do do it (or, um- doodoo it) in the woods.

Before we all kowtow to Veronika the cow, let’s acknowledge that there are undoubtedly more amazing animal stories unfolding in the animal kingdom that we’re simply not aware of. Probably. Did you know that a shoal of our state fish, the humuhumunukunuku’apua’a, went to school and named human beings as their state biped?  

There exists footage of orcas and wolves using tools (that’s true). So perhaps we’ve underestimated cows for eons. The steaks are high; let’s milk this story for all it’s worth. I hope- at least- that you’re mooo-ved by this newsworthy chatter.

Think about it… 

A Touchy Subject – MidWeek February 4, 2026

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I figured a provocative title might catch your attention… let’s talk about monogamy. Researchers in England used genetic studies and computer models to assess the relative (pardon the pun) monogamy ratings of humans and other animals. The report recently came out and showed that beavers had a 72% monogamy rating, while humans checked in at 66%.

I know, ‘tis a tough day when you find out that beavers are more faithful than we are. But fear not! We rank (slightly) ahead of meerkats on the commitment scale. Leading the animal kingdom in cheating are dolphins and chimpanzees, with a meager 4% monogamy rate. A CNN story said that: “Monogamy has long been considered a key factor in the social cooperation that has facilitated humans’ ability to dominate the planet, according to researchers.” Genetic data from 94 different human societies were used to compare to the animal findings. Obviously, monogamy alone cannot explain our (supposed) dominance…

So why bring up this arcane and seemingly arbitrary information? NapLab, an independent mattress and sleep product website, reports that Hawai`i has the most relationship “cheaters” of any state! Its survey indicates that Hawai`i is the nation’s cheating capital… by a wide margin!

81% of Hawai`i respondents (please note that this survey totaled just 1,600 nationwide responses) “…answered ‘Yes’ to having cheated on a significant other.” Next in line (at 63%) were Louisiana and Rhode Island. Nebraska cheated the least- at just 6%. NapLab’s national cheating average is 34%. “Infidelity” was not clearly defined in the study- sharing secrets vs. sharing beds means different things to different people.

Financial research website, Insider Monkey, ranked Wyoming, Colorado, and Alabama as our top three infidelity states. Hawai`i wasn’t in the top 15. Fashion design source, Kalon, says New York leads the nation in cheating (with Hawai`i at #5). Hmmm, apparently cheaters and liars abound!

The point?? There’s plenty of information out there; lots of purported “facts” about anything you wanna read, hear, and ultimately, believe. But facts are not mere opinions. Subjectivity, survey bias, personal prejudice, AI stories, and dubious profit margin masters increasingly manipulate humans like we’ve never witnessed before. What used to be mere rumors have now become, “Ooh, I read on the internet that…” 

Bottom line on just about anything: choose your information sources wisely, check credentials, be skeptical (especially with social media). Don’t cheat on yourself or others. Stay informed… accurately.

Think about it…

Bombs Away – MidWeek January 28, 2026

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Local law enforcement entities stepped it up this year to detect and deter illegal fireworks. More feet on the street, drones, and tougher laws all deterred scofflaws… to some degree. The state Department of Law Enforcement reportedly grabbed over 60 tons of illegal fireworks. That’s 120,000 pounds of stuff that didn’t make it into the air, kill or maim anybody. All good. 

But the mere fact that that so much contraband was ready to go here means the New Year’s Eve big bang problem is far from being resolved. Law enforcement drone videos are being scrutinized to see where more charges might be made or warnings be sent.

Unfortunately, watching fireworks for some gawkers is like watching football. They know the harm that can occur, someone’s possibly going to get hurt (a guarantee in football), yet they just can’t seem to turn their eyes away. But football is legal.

Entrepreneurs realize that enforcement and focus are way up simply, so they seek new ways to import their goods, or bads. Some suggest greater scrutiny at our docks around December. But frantic fire-workers are savvy to that tactic and simply bring in illegal explosives earlier in the year, quietly storing them.

Perhaps county-coordinated efforts to provide legal events at controlled venues for people to watch (like the various July 4th fireworks displays in town, on military bases, and off  Kailua Beach) would ween wary watchers or even violators from engaging in the voyeurism and crimes playing out down the street. While not complicit, those witnessing illegal, community festivities on New Year’s Eve play a role as enablers rather than just naïve, innocent bystanders. “Oooh, that one was cool!”

HPD received almost 1,500 calls (anonymity rules), made over 120 arrests, and anecdotal evidence and hospital reports suggest it was a “quieter” night in most areas on 12/31/25. Weather might have been a factor, too.

The devastating fireworks tragedy of six people killed by illegal explosives a year ago did not occur in a vacuum. For decades, the outcry has been for tougher laws and more patrolling. We got that. But it’s tough to (sometimes) catch people in the act of blowing things up. 

And there’s that vicarious thrill that precludes some people from anonymously reporting illegal aerials. There’s the “yeah, it sucks, it’s illegal… but it’s kinda cool” logic that helps this annual folly survive, some years more robustly than others.

Think about it…

Out Of This World – MidWeek January 21, 2026

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It can be fun to find local connections tied to extraordinary events. Take Voyager 1 for example… This space probe was launched in 1977 and is currently the farthest craft from Earth as it continues exploring whatever’s out there … nearly 16-billion miles away.

A local twist- when Voyager 1 went offline in 2024, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s (NRAO) Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) radio telescope on Mauna Kea was instrumental (pardon the pun) in getting the old rust bucket back online. 

By late 2026, it’ll take a full 24 hours for a signal to get from here to Voyager 1, and vice versa. Well, that’s what happens when you leave home and travel 16 billion miles. For perspective, note that even (former planet) Pluto is never tumbling more than five billion miles away from Earth.

So Voyager 1 is still playing radio hits- from at least three times as far away as Pluto, which always seemed so far away that it was tough to comprehend its earthly relevance. Voyager 1- a man-made probe still rockin’ among celestial rocks a half century after its launch. Imagine the (lack of) technology back then! People working on the Voyager 1 project in 2026 have parents who weren’t even born when liftoff occurred in 1977.

Closer to home, NASA plans to launch Artemis II within weeks with four astronauts aboard; it’s set to circle the moon in the first lunar project staffed by humans since 1972 (Apollo 17). Ground control to Major Tom, indeed!

NASA’s Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kauai has provided simulation testing for the spacecraft’s recovery. I remember crowding around a (black and white) TV set gazing with other summer campers in July, 1969, when Apollo 11’s Neil Armstrong took “…one small step for man”. Artemis II astronauts will be testing their spacecraft as its lunar trajectory will purportedly allow the quartet to see moon vistas heretofore unseen. Luna lunacy!

Another local connection- UH-Mānoa scientists are involved with the Artemis project, developing key technology for upcoming lunar excursion modules (LEMs). And (of course) Hawai`i Island’s lava terrain has always been useful for astronaut training to simulate the barren moonscape.

Looking around Earth these days, things can seem kinda rocky. But with upcoming NASA plans, we can once again look up to witness humankind’s quest to discover what may lie well beyond this mortal coil.

Think about it…