By popular demand, PLDC hearing will be televised

The last time the Public Land Development Corp. held a public hearing, the meeting room was too small for the public and the agency heard an earful opposing its very existence.

This time around, at least, a wider public will get the chance to watch, even if it can’t attend the questionably timed meeting, 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.

‘Olelo Community Media will cablecast live — on Oceanic cable channel 55 and livestreamed at www.olelo.org — the hearing on proposed amended administrative rules for PLDC, the new controversial state agency tasked with increasing revenues via development of state lands through public-private partnerships.

For those who want to and can testify in person, the hearing will be at the state Land Department’s Kalanimoku Building, room 132, 1151 Punchbowl St. Email comments may be sent to joy.y.kimura@hawaii.gov; written testimony must be postmarked by Tuesday.

Teachers run out of patience over labor dispute

It’s not entirely clear how the protest by Campbell High School teachers will pry loose some kind of final solution to the endless labor dispute between the administration and their union, the Hawaii State Teachers Association.

But who can blame them for trying, using the tried-and-true approach of picketing? In the messy legal wrangling over the contract standoff, involving courts, mediation and the Hawaii Labor Relations Board, they’d like to remind the public that teachers do a lot of work off the books. So on Thursday they’ll be doing only the work for which they’re paid, hoping to make the public aware of the lengthy dispute.

Oh, the public is aware, all right, and can understand the teachers’ urge to emit a primal scream. Some of us are ready to form our own picket lines, with signs reading: Is It Over Yet?