Snowden is Olelo’s Valentine’s gift

Get the roses ready, the champagne chilled and the chocolates out — after all, Saturday is Valentine’s Day. Oh, and just what Cupid ordered: a live cablecast of Hawaii’s conversation with Edward Snowden.

Yes, NSA whistleblower Snowden — the onetime Kunia resident and now U.S. fugitive — will be appearing live with his attorney Ben Wizner via live video link from Moscow; on Oahu, watch Olelo Channel 54. The noon-1:30 p.m. appearance will highlight the ACLU of Hawaii’s Davis Levin First Amendment Conference entitled, "Can Democracy Survive Secrecy?"

We (heart) the First Amendment — so regardless of one’s feelings for or against Snowden, it should be a riveting show.

Vog victims to tell survival strategies

Hawaii folks have lots of experience coping with vog, and a British researcher wants to hear their stories.

Claire Horwell, director of the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network, started the Vog Talk page on Facebook to collect tips from local residents that will be incorporated into a study aimed at improving the advice health officials give to people in areas affected by volcanic gases.

Her organization’s website, www.ivhhn.org/, is a clearinghouse for information about the health impacts of volcanic eruptions around the world.

Horwell expects the Hawaii input to be relevant internationally, but we’d be satisfied if it results in an easily accessible list of the Top 10 ways to avoid the vog-induced headaches, sinus trouble and breathing problems that vex too many local people.