Is there a Grammy for hyperbole?

While it’s perfectly understandable that "roots" musicians are upset that their route to a Grammy Award has narrowed considerably, there’s something odd about boycotting CBS over an industry tradition that has nothing to do with those roots.

Dennis Kamakahi, the celebrated artist in the notoriously relaxed musical genre of slack key guitar, went so far as to say the elimination of "regional roots" subcategories like Hawaiian music "borders on racism." Really?

Good on producer Lea Uehara for observing that musicians can still submit albums "and possibly win the category." That’s the spirit.

And our new TV governor is …

Local fans of Season One of "Hawaii Five-0" surely noted the strong coincidence when the TV series’ governor turned out to be a middle-aged, savvy female. Was the season-ending plot twist driven by local politics, with the end of the Linda Lingle administration?

Now, despite recent speculation that the new governor might be cast with a local actor, the role has gone to Richard T. Jones, star of FOX’s "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" and the movie "Super 8." TV Guide says Jones will play the lieutenant governor who ascends to the top spot after the late TV governor’s demise. Jones might bring some national spotlight to the role, but too bad about one less role for local actors. Maybe they would’ve enhanced their chances if they’d espoused some fiery rhetoric and grown a beard.