Memo to governor: Feb. 26, Feb. 26, Feb. 26

Gov. Neil Abercrombie is undoubtedly a busy, busy man — and that’s why it’s critical that someone on staff be appointed the keeper of key dates when it comes to appointments.

The state Health Department is now without a director, after Monday’s expiration of the appointment of interim director Gary Gill, who was temporarily assigned the top job after the sudden death of Loretta Fuddy in a December plane crash.

In June 2012, Abercrombie missed a deadline to send the state Senate written notification of two judicial appointees: Peter Cahill for a Maui Circuit judgeship and Richard Pollack to the Hawaii Supreme Court.

Now on the horizon: Feb. 26, the governor’s deadline to make another appointment to the Supreme Court. Circle that date in red.

AP courses welcome in public schools

The growing number of students taking Advanced Placement courses is a good sign for Hawaii’s public high schools. Mastering the challenging material qualifies students for college credit if they score high enough on the AP exams at the end of the courses.

Campbell, Leilehua, Mililani, Radford and now Kalaheo High School have signed on to a national program that encourages more students to take the classes; other public high schools offer AP courses, too. AP courses are a staple at Hawaii’s selective private schools, known for rigorous content that prepares students well for the academic challenges ahead.