Jean King fought the good fight

The late Jean King, the state’s first woman lieutenant governor, lived out of the public eye in the latter decades of her life.

Many may have forgotten the advocacy role she played, most prominently in her run to succeed George Ariyoshi for the state’s top office.

Two issues of particular concern to her were the shortage of affordable housing and countering the development pressures that put Hawaii’s environment in peril.

In the intervening years, residents have seen the state diverge from the liberal course she would have preferred, with urban sprawl a persistent problem. And housing for the working poor is an even rarer commodity now.

Even the pragmatist who has little patience for idealism will have to admit that Jean King pushed for ideals that really mattered. The problems she underscored loom even larger today.

Be flexible about performing arts

The proposal to add flexibility to the city’s zoning code so that performing-arts facilities could operate in an industrial zone is a sensible notion.

At a time when the arts have struggled to compete for funding and for a spot on the educational agenda, these schools and companies could use a break.

Plainly put, the performing arts need space to perform.

And, besides, ever see a dancer do a leap or a lift in your standard office building? The high ceilings of your average warehouse work better.

The only problem, as it is everywhere, is parking — but a studio can at least manage that issue, better than having no home at all.