Cec Heftel Post Office in Makiki? Really?

So far, a proposal to follow tradition and name a post office for a deceased member of Congress has yielded nothing but a minor political squabble, namely: Should the bill to honor the late "Cec" Heftel, a Democrat, be sponsored by Republican Rep. Charles Djou? Neil Abercrombie’s replacement in the U.S. House wants the namesake to be the Makiki Post Office, but Heftel’s widow so far has said "Thanks, but no thanks."

But here’s another, even more basic question: Why Makiki? Not only was Heftel more closely identified with other communities — his home in Kahala, his broadcast headquarters on Kapiolani — but let’s face it: This one’s located under a freeway overpass. Hard to believe that in the entire district, which stretches to Pearl City, there isn’t a better candidate.

All you need is $35 — and knowledge of Hindi

The Star-Advertiser reported Saturday that Hawaii schools are inching toward their computer-for-every-student goal: Now there are eight for every 20 students, three more than in 2003.

Two pages away in that same edition readers found a tidbit about India unveiling the prototype for a tablet, touch-screen computer designed for its impoverished schools, each one costing around $35 a pop to start with. Production is set to start next year.

Except for the fact that Hawaii kids would need to learn Hindi, India’s innovation might have worked here, too.