Teachers’ labor dispute coming to merciful end?

Whew. Final briefs are before the Hawaii Labor Relations Board in the seemingly endless contract dispute between the Abercrombie administration and the Hawaii State Teachers Association. This thing has been festering for close to a year now, with the central issue being the governor’s imposition of contract terms under a "last, best and final offer."

And when the board issues its ruling, there’s still the prospect of more fighting on an appeal to the state courts.

Here’s one more question: Is all of this a waste of time? Considering that other unions are already preparing to negotiate the next contract, you don’t have to be a cynic to ask that.

A passion for coaching, minus the paycheck

It would seem that Rich Miano is the best deal in Hawaii.

He plans to donate his entire paycheck as new head football coach at Kaiser High School to his staff.

Miano put on his cleats at Kaiser in 1980, starred as a walk-on for the University of Hawaii before playing 11 years in the NFL, and was an associate head coach at UH before Coach Greg McMackin’s forced departure last year.

"I’ve always wanted to give back to my alma mater," he said. "Coaching high school, you make next to no money. It’s about the passion."