Can anything be more exciting for a baseball kid than playing in the Little League World Series? Yes: playing in the series and winning.

So it’s understandable that players on Honolulu’s team, now playing in Williamsport, Pa., would, as manager Gerald Oda put it, start “clowning around” with a big lead in their game against Pointe Woods-Shores of Michigan on Sunday.

During the sixth inning, Oda rightfully reminded his players that in baseball, it ain’t over ’til it’s over, and that playing well and showing respect for their opponents is the better way to go. So kudos to Oda and the team, which went on to win its second straight and will face Mid Island of New York at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Lanikai braces for Kaiwa Ridge crowds

The pitter-patter of little feet — and big ones, mainly — is being heard again on the streets of Lanikai. Once more, the trail leading up to the vintage “pillbox” structures is luring tourists and residents to hike the Kaiwa Ridge trail.

The World War II fortifications have been repaired for safety’s sake, according to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

There’s much more to be done: strengthening the trail itself, and preparing a master plan addressing resource management. Back in the pre-social-media era, nobody imagined the hiker hordes would come in such numbers.