And now, we return to our normally scheduled program: the drama that is NextEra Energy’s proposed $4.3 billion buyout of Hawaiian Electric Industries.

Round 3 before the Public Utilities Commission was to start today and the whole thing is expected to end Friday. Since Round 2 recessed earlier this month, much has occurred outside the hearings on the Hawaiian Electric front, including its cancellation of three high-profile solar-farm projects due to the developer’s financial problems. Another “green” project on Hawaii island also was canceled for similar reasons.

How much bearing those developments will have on the HEI-NextEra proceedings is an open question. For these answers and more, the public can view the PUC hearing in person at the Neal Blaisdell Center, or on Olelo Community Media’s Channel 49 or at www.youtube.com/olelocm.

Must we always see red when talking about China?

Friend or foe? Some days we hear from various politicians and military officers that China is “militarizing” and positioning itself to take on the U.S. at some point, and so the U.S. should respond similarly.

Then we hear that the nominally Communist nation will be participating once again in the annual U.S.-led annual Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercises, based out of Hawaii, which this year start in June.

Meanwhile, Hawaii benefits from Chinese investment and growing numbers of tourists from China, as well as all the products we buy from there at prices we can afford. So despite the seeming schizophrenia, let’s hope “friend” continues to outweigh “foe” side. And that it stays that way.