It’s the last Sunday in March and time to “flASHback” on the month’s news that amused and confused:
>> President Donald Trump wants Congress to investigate his bogus claim that his predecessor, Barack Obama, wiretapped him. It’s more of a job for the mythical detectives Trump sent to Hawaii to disprove Obama’s birth.
>> A Hawaii federal judge temporarily blocked Trump’s travel ban while our Legislature advanced a constitutionally dubious bill to require release of his tax returns. Watch out for a Trump tweet daring North Korea to prove it can hit Hawaii with a missile.
>> For the fifth straight presidential election, Hawaii had the nation’s lowest voter turnout at only 43 percent. Nonvoters who cried “He’s not my president” were surprised to find out he actually is.
>> Transit experts from across North America ripped the cost and schedule of Honolulu rail, finding cost overruns “far in excess of the normal industry standards.” Instead of an adding machine, we have to track rail costs with a Doomsday Clock.
>> Senate and House money committee chairwomen Jill Tokuda and Sylvia Luke took tough stands on extending the rail excise tax because they don’t believe the city’s numbers. We’ll see if their conference committee is a sequel to “Profiles in Courage” or “Chicken Run.”
>> The Legislature is considering a bill that would allow the news media only a limited right to cover island disasters. I suppose that’s good news for folks who are tired of reading about Oahu rail.
>> Sen. Mike Gabbard urged constituents to be patient after a bill to ban foam containers was shelved despite strong public support, saying, “Sometimes it takes five or six years for good bills to pass.” Amazing how bad bills can pass in the blink of an eye.
>> Using words like “prudent,” “cautious” and “conservative,” the House passed a $28 billion state operating budget for the next two years. Cash-strapped taxpayers used words like “oh,” “my” and “God.”
>> The state is having trouble attracting applicants for the Ethics Commission and Campaign Spending Commission, pushing back the deadline three times. It must be the recruiting slogan: “A fox for every hen house.”
>> Mayor Kirk Caldwell has taken to calling his tax increases “revenue enhancers” as he seeks to add a trash pickup fee and raise bus fares, gasoline and vehicle taxes, parking rates and property taxes. The mayor is sorely in need of some “truth enhancers.”
>> Hawaii visitors are looking for hotel alternatives and more authentic local experiences, a study found. Tour packages will soon offer airfare, a shopping cart and a tent to pitch on the sidewalk.
And the quote of the month … from House Speaker Joe Souki on a furtive leadership change: “We’re always secretive. It’s part of being a legislator.” The other part is scrounging free meals from lobbyists.
