To our federal judiciary: E komo mai!

Aloha to federal judges and others who withstood complaints by envious Republican senators about a potential $1 million government expense and begin attending an important conference today on Maui.

Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals explained in a recent letter that "had we foreseen the nation’s current fiscal problems, we may have chosen a different site" for the 9th Circuit Judicial Conference at the Hyatt Regency Maui. He need not apologize, but should advise conferees to avoid any sign of pleasure in paradise.

Hawaii’s perfect for a well-funded retirement

Hawaii is ranked among the six best states for retirement, according to factors not often included in such comparisons. Bankrate.com, a Florida consumer financial services company, reports that Hawaii’s crime rate is 3,576.9 annually per 100,000 people while only 6.8 percent of retirees live below poverty and life expectancy is 81.5 years. Bloomberg Wealth Manager magazine gave Hawaii a No. 1 ranking eight years ago for tax friendliness toward affluent retirees, mostly because Hawaii’s property taxes are lowest in the country. Money does count, wherever people grow old.