Advice that’s better late than never

It was good to hear former Gov. Linda Lingle challenging her fellow Republicans to be more inclusive of religions other than Christianity, though it might have been more effective if she’d issued that charge back when she really had the bully pulpit, during her two terms in office.

Lingle complained at Friday’s Lincoln Day dinner that too many GOP functions ignore diversity and start only with Christian prayers. Statistics bear her out. Census figures from 2000 — the most recent available on religions — show Christians represent only some 29 percent of Hawaii’s population.

But the ones who may feel most pointedly excluded at such invocations are those who aren’t religious at all. At 51.1 percent, the "unaffiliated" is by far the largest group.

31 places in Hawaii to go natural

The wraps are off one of the latest apps downloadable — at $6.99 — for iPhones, iPods and iPads. It’s called My Nude World, released by the Young Naturists and Nudists America, an East Coast nudist organization.

This app includes Hawaii in its roster of clothing-optional beaches, clubs and organizations. The searchable database yielded 31 entries, from relatively known nude beaches such as Little Makena on Maui to various clubs, bed-and-breakfasts and nature spots on that island as well as Hawaii and Kauai.

There was a Honolulu nude group, but any actual naturist spots on Oahu were conspicuously absent. Perhaps they don’t need the exposure.