A straight shot for shopping

Makakilo motorists have been looking enviously at a new ramp heading west from Makakilo Drive to the final few miles of the H-1 freeway. The ramp has looked ready to go for what seems like months, and the barriers finally are to be removed next Monday.

The ramp will enable Makakilo residents to head to the Waianae Coast without having to crawl through Kapolei’s busiest traffic. For most, it will make Costco, Target, Sports Authority, Home Depot, K-Mart and many other stores only a few minutes away. For the time being, returning home will remain an ordeal.

Hawaii tops in foreclosure reform 

It’s been a while since Hawaii led the pack in any new trends for state legislation. But a casual Web search shows that the passage of Senate Bill 651 is being hailed as America’s strongest pro-consumer foreclosure reform.

The new law essentially gives many in the throes of foreclosure a chance for their case to get a full hearing before a mediator. Lawmakers earned kudos for taking that bold step during a year that can only be described as bleak otherwise.