In laid-back Hawaii, our open-air state Capitol is the very epitome of how access to government should be. The public can walk straight in, move around freely, take up causes in the courtyard or wander into legislators’ offices. All that unfettered access, though, has at least one lawmaker concerned: Rep. Gene Ward is advocating for tougher security, including possibly rearranging large concrete planters now around the reflecting pool, to form a barrier between the Capitol’s courtyard and Beretania Street.

Supporters of the idea might be right in that times have changed. But the merits of physical barriers will invite debate; so meanwhile, at least, heightened vigilance by Capitol security officers would make sense.

Albatross chicks get new, less vulnerable home

Jumping from malihini to kamaaina in a week or so? Such a feat is inconceivable for most newcomers to the islands, but a group of black-footed albatross chicks brought to Oahu from Midway Atoll just might be up to the task. Fifteen 3-week-old chicks were flown here in mid-February and taken to the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge in Kahuku.

When an albatross reaches the one-month mark, it imprints the site viewed as home. Wildlife officials hope that the birds will be mature enough to fly away in summer and come back to the refuge when about 6 years old to breed. The species is vulnerable to rising sea levels in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Their new home is 15 feet above sea level.