“‘Twas brillig and the slithy toves”… I’ve always wanted to lead with that mystifying start to Lewis Carroll’s nonsensical “Jabberwocky” poem from “Through The Looking-Glass”. It provides me some pre-holiday season liberties to jabber both nonsensically and seriously as we travel through our local looking glass…
Three weeks ago, Hawai`i Island firefighters roped and then hoisted a calf to safety, turning what seemed like a hopeless scenario into a happily ever after moment. The adept animal control division gurus calmly made sure not to cow the calf, fastened the fretting wanderer, and pulled her up to safely, telling passersby to relax, i.e. – don’t have a cow. The wayward calf returned to its lea, excised from an inaccessible beach location. With great help, it avoided becoming a cache cow…
Following a transition, 36 states, including Hawai`i, will require local callers to use 10-digits when making local calls, rather than the now familiar seven numbers. That’s because on July 16, 2022, the prefix “988” will become the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Rather than someone distraught having to remember the current 10-digit number, “988” will become a simpler source for help seekers. Like “911” (emergency) and Aloha United Way’s “211” (statewide information and referral), this easier three-digit number might provide easier relief for those in real need. And that’s a good call…
Math and language arts scores took a big hit last year in our public schools, as they did elsewhere, with distance learning the rule, and bumps along the hybrid highway. With kids (vaccinated and) back in classrooms now, hopefully we can move forward. But focus needs to be placed on how best to help our kids catch up and also move forward in the coming years. “Our keiki are our future” shouldn’t be anyone’s 2022 campaign slogan. We’ve heard it far too often. It’s a given. Now’s the time to prove that our kids really do matter, as they’ve fallen further behind through no fault of their own. Anyone listening?
The next time (well, hopefully there won’t one) family members cannot attend UH sports events due to pandemic-related safety restrictions, a cohort offered me a tongue-in-cheek solution that just might work. Make the relatives all UH band members du jour! Give the vaccinated parents a kazoo, let ‘em practice at rehearsals, and then let ‘em toot, root, and hoot with the already authorized band at UH games.
Think About it…