Honolulu Hale’s indoor holiday display will again forgo the fragrance of freshly cut trees. Six months ago, in an effort to restore a tradition halted in 2014, the City Council unanimously approved a bill to allow live Christmas trees. Even so, Mayor Kirk Caldwell, who let the bill become law without his signature, has asked city departments to opt for artificial trees during Honolulu City Lights, which gets underway on Saturday.

His reasons are valid: Firefighters opposed the bill, citing risks tied to the building’s limited egress and lack of an automatic fire sprinkler system, among other concerns. Safety first — even before yuletide cheer.

Rooting for Hawaii in Grammy’s ‘regional roots’

Hawaiian music lost its dedicated category in the Grammy Awards in 2011, which makes this year’s selection of two island nominees all that more impressive. Ho‘okena and artist Josh Tatofi were tapped in the more competitive “regional roots music” category. Here’s wishing that Hawaii roots produce a trophy harvest at the awards show Jan. 28.