Fueled by a recent bump in the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal’s population, recovery efforts must push onward to re-establish our official state mammal. The population, which has been declining since the 1950s when some 3,400 seals were counted on Northwestern Hawaiian Island beaches, has increased at a pace of 3 percent a year for the past three years. There are about 1,400 of the seals in the wild. More juveniles are surviving in part because of programs such as those that disentangle seals from marine debris and take malnourished pups to a Hawaii island seal hospital for nursing care.

Spotting monk seals basking in the sun on their favorite Hawaii beaches is a treat for passersby. We’re optimistic that it can become a more common sight.

The bills are in; let the lobbying begin

They’re all in the hopper, so let the sausage-making begin.

Translation: Wednesday was the deadline for bills to be introduced in the Legislature, so now come the discussions and wheeling and dealing.

Of course, veterans of the process know that by the end of the session in May, some bills will look nothing like they did at the start. So if residents care about particular causes or issues, pay attention. One helpful tool to search for bills and follow along is the Legislature’s website at www.capitol.hawaii.gov.