Women veterans find shelter from the storm

The opening of Hawaii’s first shelter program dedicated to women military veterans is an utterly necessary development, albeit a sad reminder of the war-torn times we live in.

On Friday, the initiative by U.S. Vets Hawaii and the YWCA of Oahu culminated in the opening of transitional housing at the Y’s Fernhurst Residence property in Makiki.

The Department of Veterans Affairs allotted $28.4 million for 38 projects in five states, all to address the problem of vet homelessness. Fernhurst is the only Hawaii project to receive a share of the funds.

Women armed forces members still struggle to gain equity for their service to the country, but at least now it seems they’re starting to get attention for their wounds — injuries of all kinds.

Leis are the height of fashion in Congress

Hawaii always loves the free publicity that comes when some of its assets are on display for all potential tourists to see. Usually it takes a televised sporting event, or an Obama visit.

But one niche industry — lei sellers — must be happy about having three women in the state’s congressional delegation. Let’s face it: The most spectacular lei-making is aimed at women, and Hawaii’s newest senator and both House members can be the ambassadors of floral aloha to the nation. Now let’s see whether after a few years mainlanders will recognize the difference between garlands of dendrobium and vanda orchids, or can distinguish a lehua from an ilima.

More to the point: Maybe the phone orders will start coming in on Maunakea Street, or wherever the lovely lei is sold.