From Hawaii with aloha, a new stamp series

Once again, Hawaii will be sharing its aloha with the world, via the U.S. Postal Service.

A five-stamp series out next year will feature vibrant photos of aloha shirts taken by local photog Ric Noyle; they’ll be at the 29-cent postcard rate. It was earlier announced that another local artist, John D. Dawson of Hilo, has drawn a bonsai series to grace new "Forever" stamps; Dawson had previously created the 12-year Nature in Hawaii stamp series.

Other Hawaii tidbits: The 2009 statehood commemorative stamp featured a painting by Herb Kane, of a surfer and canoe paddlers riding a wave. In May 2006, Molokai, Kauai and Hawaii island each were represented in the Wonders of America series. In 2002, a drawing of a retro Hawaii postcard graced the Greetings From America postage series.

Keeping a watchdog’s eye on radioactive release

There may be nothing seriously amiss about the aftermath of the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of a Kaneohe Marine crewmember in March. The release of strontium-90 radiation at what Marine officials call low levels, may indeed fall below the threshold of environmental risk that should concern the public.

But why not be sure about such scary-sounding stuff? It’s good to know that environmental watchdog Carroll Cox was paying attention and that the state Department of Health is back-checking to make sure government oversight — and public notification — is being handled properly.