Give Akaka Bill vote it deserves

Language that would have advanced the cause of Native Hawaiian sovereignty was stripped out of a $1 trillion-plus spending bill during negotiations to get the bill through the U.S. House late last week.

Perhaps it’s just as well. The notion that Native Hawaiian sovereignty has been reduced to a bargaining chip — and an expendable one at that — seems, well, undignified.

Better that the Akaka Bill gets what its namesake, U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, is shooting for: a straight up-or-down vote.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Tuesday’s wet and cool weather here was just heralding the change of seasons — today, after all, is the first day of winter. Just be thankful this is Hawaii.

A deadly storm dumping snow from New Mexico to Texas closed roads and wreaked general havoc yesterday, with snow drifts of up to 10 feet high in southeast Colorado. At least six people died in storm-related traffic accidents.

But even in tropical Hawaii, the white stuff finds a way. The Mauna Kea Access Road on Hawaii island had been closed since Monday due to snow and ice.

Winter conditions at the upper slopes closed the road at the Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station at the 9,300-foot level, and things weren’t clearing quickly.

At sea level, fortunately, no parkas needed.