Ward project gets back to business

For years, concern and conflict over the fate of unearthed Hawaiian burials shifted a planned development in the Ward commercial district to the back burner. Way back burner: A plan to put one of the upscale Whole Foods supermarkets there was put on ice.

Suddenly, the whole enterprise seems to have new life. Howard Hughes Corp. took over the troubled project from the previous owner, General Growth Properties. This week execs announced plans to open a T.J. Maxx, the newest in the national discount apparel chain, on the upper floor of its planned retail complex, across from Ward Centre.

And talks have restarted with the trendy health-food grocer on the ground-floor site. If Whole Foods comes along, that might make an apt pairing. Save a little on clothes upstairs, spend it on food downstairs.

State sport now in high schools

Boldly going where no state has gone before, Hawaii has become the first state in the nation to recognize surfing as an official high school sport.

It was adopted despite concerns about liability for injuries, and questions about how the surfing classes and contests will be paid for.

Ideally, outside sources are going to be paying for most of the costs, with Board of Education member Keith Amemiya, former executive director of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, apparently being the point man to rustle up the donations.

Among the benefits of making surfing an official high school sport: It will be yet another way to engage students who otherwise would prefer to cut classes and go — surfing!