Clear your calendar for Hirono-Case faceoffs

For those paying attention — and as voters, we should be —this week amounts to prime time in the Mazie Hirono vs. Ed Case Democratic race for U.S. Senate.

The two rivals have three joint appearances this week — after that, they go their separate campaigning ways, leaving voters to figure it out by the Aug. 11 primary, despite Case’s insistence for another debate or two, or five.

A lot is at stake in the race to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Dan Akaka. This week’s Case-Hirono events:

» 10:30 a.m. today: AARP Hawaii’s 50-plus issues forum, at the Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului.

» 7- 8 p.m. Wednesday: Hawaii Public Radio debate, to be aired live on radio stations KHPR 88.1, KKUA 90.7 and KANO 91.1, and streamed online at HawaiiPublicRadio.org.

» 8-9 p.m. Thursday, sole live televised debate, on "Insights" on PBS Hawaii, Channels 10 and 11; rebroadcast at 1 p.m. Saturday.

A KCC farmers’ market for the rest of us

Among the encouraging signs from the isle-grown produce movement are the demands from the community for more opportunities to buy local food that fit within their work-week schedules. The farmers’ market at Kapiolani Community College on Saturday mornings has been wildly successful for years, but that success has drawn crowds from the visitor industry that have at least partly aced out neighborhood shoppers.

Now an evening edition of the popular market has been launched on a three-month trial basis. Starting at 4 p.m today, the college and the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation will operate for three hours every Tuesday — not exactly prime time for veggie-and-fruit shopping by tourists but excellent for homeward-bound East Honolulu residents.

Don’t forget that key term: "trial basis." Neighbors, if you want this to be permanent, it would be a good idea to show up with your shopping tote, and a few bucks, now and then.