Pacific Paradise, a 79-foot fishing boat, is still stuck on the reef off Waikiki’s Kaimana Beach. The U.S.-flagged vessel, part of Hawaii’s longline fishing fleet based in Honolulu, ran aground on Oct. 14 while transporting foreign fishermen to work in our state’s commercial fishing industry, according to an Associated Press report.

However, most of the rescued workers were unable to provide officials with a valid fishing license. The just-offshore wreck now serves as a reminder that lawmakers should step up efforts to protect these workers from exploitation — abysmal living conditions and paltry pay — by tightening state and federal regulation.

Powerful storm brought drama to the skies

Oahu residents who were indoors safe and sound on Monday night were able to “ooh and ahh” over the dramatic lightning and thunder show caused by an intense passing storm. But those who were caught out and about experienced torrents of rain, sudden road flooding and downed tree branches and debris. Harrowing stuff.

On Maui early Tuesday, the thunderous storm caused an islandwide power outage; by noon, about 43,000 of some 66,500 power customers affected were back on line. Though flooding remained, the worst appeared to be over by Tuesday afternoon, with the heaviest rains east of the islands. Time to mop up and dry out — until the next fall storm.