Djou disappoints his audience

Charles Djou knows how to get attention, which can be a prized political skill.

On Twitter and Facebook he let it be known that on Thursday he would “announce plans with the 2016 elections.”

That turned out to be a statement of support for GOP presidential candidate John Kasich, who is running toward the back of the pack.

Of course, the followers had been expecting something more personal, like about what office the former member of Congress and City Council might seek this year.

“So where is it, your plans?” one commenter asked.

A safe bet: The Kasich endorsement isn’t the last word from Djou. Stay tuned.

Island Air poised to start new era

It’s hard to imagine how Island Air, an airline with two routes and five turboprop planes, will compete in a tough business dominated by Hawaiian Airlines.

Still, it’s heartening to hear that a Honolulu-based investor group thinks it can be done.

The group, led by Hawaii venture capitalist Jeffrey Au, bought a controlling interest in the airline from billionaire Larry Ellison for an undisclosed amount.

What inter-island travelers really want are more choices and lower airfares. It’s hoped that Island Air’s investors can address that demand.

They have a long way to go. In September, Island Air carried 19,946 passengers, the fewest in a month since April 2013. In the same month, Hawaiian carried 848,252, but it also flies outside our island state.