Knowledge is power — so there’s plenty to cheer in a state-funded program that aims to remove cost as a barrier to higher education.

Hawaii Promise is now a permanent program, after launching last fall as a pilot. Some 1,500 local students received “last dollar” scholarships to attend community colleges here, averaging $1,200 each, and totaling $2.2 million; another 500 students will benefit this coming school year. The fund gives financially struggling residents higher-education access via a final boost for unmet direct costs such as tuition, books and transportation.

However much Hawaii Promise gets students through the classroom door, though, it falls on the students themselves to make the most of the opportunity.

Clayton Hee leaves race to Ige, Hanabusa

And then there were two.

High-profile Dems, that is, seeking the governor’s office. Clayton Hee — seen as a “spoiler” who would drain votes from challenger U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa — has bowed out; his goal now was to lock into a campaign race that required less spending. We’ll find out at today’s filing deadline whether Hee throws his iconic cowboy hat into the ring for either lieutenant governor or state Senate.

Hee’s probably breathing a sigh of relief, but the same can’t be said for Gov. David Ige, who probably stood to benefit most from Hee being in the race. But it’s early. Anything can happen.