Choosing a House speaker is a Democrat’s game

Like U.S. House leadership rules, the speaker of the state House is chosen by the majority of the representatives, regardless of party — and locally, Republicans may play a role on whether incumbent Speaker Calvin Say can hold off a challenge by fellow Democrat Joseph Souki.

The closest revolt against a U.S. House speaker was in 1910, when 42 progressive Republicans joined all 149 Democrats in stripping Republican Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon of Illinois of many of his powers, such as naming committee chairmen. Cannon lost the speakership later that year when Democrats won a House majority.

There the similarities end: Don’t count on Hawaii’s opposition party —the Republicans — winning a House majority anytime soon.

A famous farmer on Maui

It’s safe to say that most of Hawaii’s farmers aren’t billionaires. But we have at least one — Oprah Winfrey, media mogul and part-time Mauian. Given all the efforts at developing a local agriculture industry, the entrance of Oprah Winfrey’s Maui farm venture, Oprah’s Farm LLC, must come as a welcome addition.

Most recently came word that Oprah’s Farm has registered trademarks for organic products ranging from beverages, sauces, salad dressing, frozen vegetables, soups and snack dips. Also, catering services and body products like soaps, shampoos and lotions, under the name Oprah’s Organics.

We wish her, and all our local farmers, good fortune and good luck.