Departures and arrivals made month memorable

It’s the last Sunday of November and time to “flASHback” on the month’s news that amused and confused:

>> President Donald Trump stopped in Hawaii on his way to Asia and was greeted with a mixture of cheers and protests. His motorcade snarled traffic as he dropped off the first lady in Waikiki and his hair at the Animal Quarantine Station.

>> Gov. David Ige ordered Attorney General Doug Chin to investigate after psychopathic killer Randall Saito escaped from the Hawaii State Hospital and got to California before he was reported missing. Chin was picked for his expertise in blaming everything on Trump.

>> Saito, who claims he faked insanity to stay out of jail, said his escape proves he’s not insane and should now be set free. The only way that happens is if he finds a judge who is insane.

>> After his capture, Saito told a Stockton court he may fight extradition, saying, “I really don’t want to go back to Hawaii.” Anybody not good with letting California keep him?

>> Louis Kealoha convinced a judge he’s broke despite his $250,000 payout to step down as police chief, and he and his wife Katherine got publicly funded lawyers in their fraud and conspiracy case. That must have been some new mailbox they bought.

>> Mayor Kirk Caldwell made it known he’s throwing his political weight behind Ige’s gubernatorial re-election. It gives them the combined political weight of a medium-sized uku.

>> City rail officials, years late in getting to Ala Moana, want to extend the line to the University of Hawaii. They’d have more riders if they extend to Kaneohe and provide airport service to State Hospital escapees.

>> The state cleared a homeless encampment under an H-1 viaduct and fenced the area for rail equipment storage. The homeless will have to wing it until the train cars are ready for them to move in.

>> A state working group failed for the second time to find a location for a “safe zone” for homeless campers. Perhaps they should consult the planners who can always find room for more luxury high-rises.

>> The Honolulu Zoo dedicated its new $3 million Ectotherm Complex. It’ll house cold-blooded animals such as lizards, snakes and salamanders, as well as host the Legislature’s spring break.

>> New state warning sirens require us to remember that a steady tone is for tsunami and an undulating sound is for nuclear attack. Why not keep it simple and wail “RUN!” for tidal waves and “HIDE!” for bombs?

And the quote of the month … from U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright, to attorneys in the Kealoha case: “We need to be careful in representations to the court as to what facts are. … We need to be honest and have some integrity here.” That’s a wish even Santa couldn’t grant.

Reach David Shapiro at volcanicash@gmail.com.