Off the News

The measure of a Dem? Standing tall in unity

After a contentious primary election campaign, Neil Abercrombie welcomed Mufi Hannemann’s support of his gubernatorial bid at a state Democratic Party’s post-primary unity breakfast on Sunday.

Referring to his own support of Hannemann when the latter was elected mayor of Honolulu six years ago, Abercrombie recalled, "I said I’d be there by your side, shoulder to shoulder … well, not quite shoulder to shoulder."

Indeed, the top of Abercrombie’s head falls short of 6-foot-7 Hannemann’s shoulder — and the Democratic audience erupted in laughter.

Turn out the lights, the party’s over … for now

All this post-primary unity stuff is so touching, isn’t it? Forgotten in an instant is all the rancor of the past months, and now former foes are jetting off together on a Kumbaya Tour.

Maybe that’s all fine: Any show of civility, however strained, is a good thing. The waving of thank-you signage by all the candidates, winners along with also-rans, is one of the niceties of the Aloha State.

But it’s also traditional here to sweep up a bit after the party. We noticed a lot of ex-candidates have already taken down their fence signs. Hooray for that. Please keep it up — and take ’em down.