Breastfeeding is a legitimate excuse

Senate Bill 2452 shouldn’t be necessary, if a little common sense would prevail.

The bill’s hearing before the House Health Committee has been postponed until 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Its aim is to exempt breastfeeding moms from jury duty for up to one year.

It’s too bad that infant care gets such short shrift as a value in this society that these mothers can’t simply ask the judge for leave and feel confident of getting it.

The problem with mandating it by law is the question of fairness to moms who can’t nurse for some reason or for caregiving dads, for that matter. Don’t those babies deserve the same?

If nothing else, the bill delivers a message to the Judiciary: Cut some serious slack for parenting, please.

Symphony season is music to our ears

The fledgling Hawaii Symphony Orchestra is thriving in its second season, with a spring lineup that features pops and masterworks.

President Jonathan Parrish stepped up from the horn section to lead the organization, and describes it as being in its embryonic stage which means it needs plenty of support, from patrons who turn out for exceptional live musical performances and from larger donors who recognize what the orchestra adds to Honolulu’s vibrant cultural landscape.

So, get out to the Blaisdell, folks; you won’t be disappointed.

Find out more at hawaiisymphonyorchestra.org.