The governor is putting his own spin on the story of the birds and the bees as we plant tongue in cheek and "flASHback" on the week’s news that amused and confused:
» Gov. Neil Abercrombie proclaimed June 17-23 as Hawaii Pollinator Week. Hewanted to acknowledge the vital contributions made to our state’s ecosystem by bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles and political lobbyists.
» The federal government is demanding that Hawaii give back more than $500,000 in economic stimulus funds the state used to buy computers that are still in boxes after three years. Our state leaders specialize in stimulating waste.
» Hawaii Democrats said their lawsuit seeking to close the state’s open primary elections is merely an attempt to have a conversation with voters. The conversation would go something like this: "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss."
» State Republicans hope their sidewalk sale to pay down the mortgage on party headquarters will attract local voters who don’t normally engage with the GOP. It makes sense. Just because you don’t buy rich folks’ politics is no reason not to buy their old clothes and jewelry.
» Mayor Kirk Caldwell, who led a walking tour of downtown Honolulu for the TV cameras a few weeks ago, this week led a bicycle tour of the city’s streets. He’s working his way up to an Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
» A city spokesperson claimed that "for sale" signs somebody posted on piles of dredged sand near Kailua Beach Park were aimed at embarrassing the mayor. The signs would be embarrassing only if they got in the way of his dune buggy tours.
» The city Department of Community Services is holding mandatory workshops to ensure that groups applying for city grants know exactly what paperwork is expected of them. Most important is the paperwork for making campaign contributions to the right City Council members.
» The Blue Man Group opened a short run at the Blaisdell Concert Hall of its popular comedy production described as "big, loud, funny, silly." Too bad the bald ones had to compete with Honolulu rail officials showing off their latest designs for train stations.
» A magazine named Honolulu one of the nation’s SMARTest cities for eating and living well. It got that right. Life doesn’t get any better than eating macaroni salad at a baby luau.
And the quote of the week … From University of Hawaii regent John Holzman on the search for a new president to replace M.R.C. Greenwood: "We’re looking for someone who not only appreciates these islands but hopefully will have the experience here, too, and know us as a people." In other words, someone who understands how to kiss up to Sen. Donna Mercado Kim.
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Reach David Shapiro at volcanicash@gmail.com or blog.volcanicash.net.
