With Akaka’s departure, who makes the ‘A’ list?

One thing certainly will change after U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka serves out his term in the Capitol’s upper house: the roll call.

For years Akaka’s name was the first one recited as each vote was taken in alphabetical order. Scanning through the current roster of senators, it appears his Tennessee colleague, Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander, will replace him at the top of the roll call.

Of course, Alexander, whose term expires in 2014, could surprise everyone and resign — which seems unlikely for someone in line for a leadership post, minority whip.

Or someone else with an "A" name could get elected in 2012 and bump him. Say, someone named … Abercrombie?

Thanks, volunteers, for clearing Maunalua Bay

How often can a project finish early and under budget? The fact that The Great Huki did so provided ample reason on Wednesday for a Maunalua Bay celebration.

Algae was cleared from the bay and its reefs were restored with $3.4 million in stimulus funds.

But although the stimulus was in part a jobs bill — 75 were created or saved here — a big part of the credit goes to the volunteer crew, who contributed 7,000 hours. After all, "huki" means pulling together.