Today marks the 49th birthday of Earth Day, an annual event to promote ecological awareness and activism that protects and preserves our precious planet. Launched on April 22, 1970, as a protest aganst the negative impacts of 150 years of industrial development, Earth Day is now observed in 192 countries, with activities ranging from rallies to cleanups.

This year’s theme, Protect our Species, focuses on threatened and endangered species. For this and much more, see www.earthday.org.

Keep an eye on Ala Wai work

Gov. David Ige has written to Mayor Kirk Caldwell, assuring him that he will seek $125 million in state funds as a local match for the Ala Wai Canal flood control project. The condition: The city must take charge of construction and maintenance.

Good idea. This can be training for another case of state-collected funds being directed to a city project needing constant caretaking: the rail project. And just like in rail’s case, officials need to be clear about the work involved on the Ala Wai project, now a bit short on details.