Win or lose, it’s always good to see new aspirants entering the political fray. Honolulu businessman Keith Amemiya on Tuesday joined the fray for next year’s mayor’s race — and though he’s a neophyte politician in the official sense, does have a public profile as former head of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association. Among the veteran politicos already declared or “seriously considering” a mayoral run: Councilwoman Kymberly Pine, former state Sen. John Carroll, Councilman Ron Menor and former U.S. Reps. Charles Djou and Colleen Hanabusa. Let the games begin.

Sex-assault plea deal questionable

Whether justice was served is questionable in the case of fired Honolulu police officer Teddy Van Lerberghe, who this week was sentenced to five years’ probation — no time behind bars — through a plea deal in the sexual assault case against him involving a victim who was 5-year-old when the assaults, spanning four years, allegedly started.

A circuit judge approved the deal, which also bans Lerberghe from any police officer post, after receiving assurances that the victim and family members agreed with it. Had the case gone to trial, he was facing a mandatory 20-year prison term for each of four first-degree sexual assault charges.