Obama-then-Djou marks a first for Hawaii

U.S. Rep. Charles Djou is scheduled to broadcast the weekly GOP radio address following President Barack Obama’s radio address today. The freshman congressman noted that it will be the first time both addresses will be delivered by people raised in Hawaii.

Djou’s honor, though, follows the National Republican Congressional Committee’s decision to spend $22 million in 41 congressional districts — but not in Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District, where Djou faces Democrat Colleen Hanabusa. The radio address will come at no cost.

Too bad H-3 viaduct is off limits for sewer line

As city officials examine plans for upgrading sewer-line connections between Kailua and Kaneohe, it’s ironic that one accessible route for the sewage tunnel — the H-3 viaduct — is a non-starter.

All three of Hawaii’s H-numbered freeways qualified for federal highway funds because they link critical military bases. But it seems that running utilities along these routes would add a hurdle.

States have the option to accommodate utilities, with approval from the feds, but the rules suggest this could be costly.

Utility lines are discouraged to avoid traffic-snarling maintenance work. However, Windwardites who know this sleepy stretch of freeway see the irony. They wonder: "What traffic?"