A yearlong federal law enforcement crackdown with a snappy title — Operation Hypocritical Oath — last week announced it had netted 41 doctors, including five in Hawaii, for the diversion of pharmaceutical drugs, namely highly addictive opioids. All were stripped of their credentials for prescribing controlled substances.

Opioid misuse here is low compared to areas on the mainland. Still, like many other states, in recent years, drug poisonings in Hawaii have out-paced injuries tied to auto accidents as the leading cause of fatal injuries. That’s reason enough to support the U.S. attorney for the Hawaii District’s ongoing push to expose fraud in the health care industry.

More time to resurface the Pali?

Yes, the Pali Highway mess has upheaved commuting, but, well, it already was upheaved. The state Department of Transportation confirms that work on the already-established two-year resurfacing project is continuing during the extended shutdowns for slope stabilization.

A spokesman acknowledged that the landslide repairs have extended the period of traffic-free access crews have to the roadway for paving and making other improvements. In theory that could make an earlier finish possible, he said, but expanding those hours also means overtime pay. Not anyone’s preferred outcome.