It’s heartening to see a sufficient number of volunteers working alongside social workers in this year’s Point in Time Count as the tallies factor into how much federal Housing and Urban Development funding flows to the islands to address homelessness.

Last year’s survey, which was hampered by lack of coordination and a volunteer shortage, counted 4,940 homeless people on Oahu. As the work continues statewide this week, some 400 volunteers are getting an up-close look at the ongoing challenges tied to getting people off the streets and into shelters. Here’s hoping that the census helps touch off a drastic drop in homelessness by this time next year.

Eat the Street leaves Kewalo Basin

It sounded like a good idea: a permanent food truck marketplace that would capitalize on the casual eating craze.

But the “Makers and Tasters” food-truck venture at Kewalo Basin never quite took off since opening in August 2015, and now, it’s set to close after Friday’s Eat the Street event there. Bad weather and difficulty getting permits for customer shelter were cited as factors for closure.

Food-truck fans will lament the end of the experiment at the old Fisherman’s Wharf site, which had seemed an ideal spot for laid-back, outdoor eating. Looks like the monthly Eat the Street will continue — the next one’s Feb. 24 at Kakaako Waterfront Park — but it’s anyone’s guess on what will pop up at the Wharf site.