When one hears “entrepreneur” or “innovation,” it evokes thoughts of cutting-edge private enterprises that pop up organically, born of dynamic brainstorms.

That’s why it’s a bit of a disconnect to hear of the heavy government hand that’s bringing to fore the “Entrepreneur’s Sandbox,” a $7.3 million state-run technology business incubator in Kakaako. Construction of the two-story “collaboration center” is expected to start next month and open 10 months later, thanks to $3 million in state funds, $3 million in quickly- lapsing federal money and $1.3 millon from developer Stanford Carr.

Time will tell if the Sandbox will become the envisioned bustling tech park. After all, right next door is another government project struggling to reach full potential: the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, with a wing still underfinished and vacant.

More computer science in public schools

Educators have long encouraged students to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) as a path to excellent employment opportunities in our evolving economy. However, while it’s easy to enroll in courses in subjects such as geometry and physics, this year computer science was offered at fewer than half of the state’s high schools.

State lawmakers should support two bills (SB 2507 and HB 2607) that expand the reach of computer science education in the K-12 system. Many of Hawaii’s fast-growing STEM occupations require solid CS experience, and such jobs carry a median hourly wage of about $40 — double the median wage for all other jobs.