More work to do on distracted-driving law

The current version of Senate Bill 2729 is at least far less damaging to the distracted-driving statute — the hands-off-the-cellphone rule — than it was at first. But that’s setting the bar for good legislation pretty low.

The draft heard Wednesday in the House had dropped the original proposal to exempt people using their smartphones to check traffic. And the move to make court appearances unnecessary would be an improvement.

Officials still might be worried about the bill because its proposal to simplify fines could disqualify the state from receiving federal grants to combat distracted driving. And there’s still language specifying the uses that are banned — tough to enforce — rather than just ordering devices out of a driver’s hands. Better take another crack at that bill.

A thankful Molokai gets its air service back

Molokai residents have a reputation for resisting anything that smacks of major tourism. Reliable daily air service is a lifeline for kamaaina, though, not merely a transit mode for visitors. So hooray for Hawaiian Airlines for finally returning to the island after 10 years; its ‘Ohana by Hawaiian service offers three daily flights in planes large enough to accommodate the wheelchairs and walkers common among kupuna who need to fly to Oahu for medical treatment.

Other airlines also serve the island, although with smaller aircraft and fewer flights. Molokai residents lined the tarmac to greet Hawaiian Airlines’ return. It’s always nice to feel welcome.