There’s always much to like about the Summer Olympics: atheticism that pushes the human body to a rarefied level, and back stories that tell inspirational tales of grit and sacrifice.

For Hawaii fans, here’s another aspect to love: Three local sons will be playing for the U.S. men’s volleyball team in Rio de Janeiro. Micah Christenson (a Kamehameha Schools alum), Kawika Shoji (‘Iolani School grad) and Erik Shoji (Punahou Schools grad) comprise a quarter of the 12-man team. And yes, the Shojis are brothers and the sons of Mary and Dave, the University of Hawaii women’s volleyball coach.

It’s heady stuff for the trio, for sure. And U.S. fans will be rooting for them and the “home team” when U.S. begins Olympic pool play against Canada on Aug. 7; competition goes through Aug. 21.

Union Jack flies over isles every day

Hawaii residents live thousands of miles from Britons now voting on whether the U.K. leaves the European Union. But our state has the Union Jack in its flag’s upper left corner, so it’s an occasion to ask: Why?

A British flag was presented in 1793 to Kamehameha I by Capt. George Vancouver, famed explorer, after Hawaii’s first monarch united the eight major islands. Those are signified by the eight stripes of what became one of the Hawaiian national flags. And although the Americans later took over — literally — the stamp of England remains.

Not that we get to vote today.