Wider highway should ease nerves on Kauai

Anyone who’s been to the Garden Island lately must have been nodding knowingly at the headline, “Kauai is Hawaii’s fastest growing county, census finds.” And for those who’ve experienced the traffic slog between Kapaa and Lihue, those nods turned to shakes of the head.

Kauai’s population rose 1.6 percent between July 2012 and July 2013. While the actual number seems small — 1,117 more people — that growth trend, alas, has created congestion that at times seems worse than Oahu’s rush hour. It’s not just the increase in cars, but also Kauai’s humble byways — one lane only in each direction, for example — that clogs things.

Some relief is occurring: A state project to widen Kaumualii Highway to ease Lihue traffic is now in its second phase. The little town is getting citified.

Retention of Morita at PUC should ease nerves, too

Gov. Neil Abercrombie made a prudent decision when he chose to keep Hermina Morita as chairwoman of the state Public Utilities Commission on a holdover basis. For the moment, it’s probably a better option than reappointing her to another term, which became problematic when questions were raised about Morita’s involvement in an allegedly illegal bed-and-breakfast operation in Hanalei.

The PUC faces many complex issues regarding clean energy development, as Hawaiian Electric Co. and other companies jockey for position in the renewable-energy marketplace. Continuity in the short term is necessary. Morita also has a reputation for protecting the interests of overburdened ratepayers. That’s necessary, too.