The kind of news that inspires hope

Over at state Circuit Court, Judge Steven Alm is smiling. Last Thursday the White House released its National Drug Control Strategy, and Project HOPE, the program Alm pioneered, seems to be part of the plan.

HOPE stands for Honest Opportunity Probation with Enforcement, which is a scared-straight approach in which drug offenders get probation but then are slapped with a relatively brief jail sentence the second they are caught offending again. The National Institute of Justice last year launched a 3 1⁄2-year evaluation of the program but seems convinced enough now to put the Obama administration’s stamp of apparent approval on it.

In addition, the protocol was cited in a Wall Street Journal essay on Saturday that evaluated various strategies, including legalization.

"To be included in the president’s 2012 National Drug Control Strategy and the WSJ in the same week is a good week for HOPE," said the judge.

Empty field has historic import

Where were you when construction began on Hawaii’s largest public works project in an empty Kapolei field?

Workers for Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. on Monday began boring the first hole for the first pillar that will support Honolulu’s elevated rail project. Assuming the $5.3 billion rail system is built — and barring World War III, it will be, according to U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye — it seemed like an historic moment. But except for the news media, which captured the moment for posterity, there was no hoopla — just workers and a massive drill, going about their business.