From afar, fans to cheer UH Wahine

Once again for the University of Hawaii volleyball Wahine, it’s time to suck up the sting of not hosting an NCAA Championship subregional and put on their game faces.

Seeded No. 17 in the tournament, the UH team instead will be playing Friday’s 3 p.m. opener in Seattle, against 45th-seeded Santa Clara. Fans will be rooting for the Wahine to extend their 19-match winning streak well into championship play. As the team’s lone senior Emily Maeda noted: "We’re peaking at the right point."

See for yourself. The NCAA’s host-site decisions robbed most UH fans of cheering for the team in person on home court, but the games will be aired live on OC Sports Channel 16 and on 1420-AM radio.

Musical chairs at City Council

Former state Sen. Carol Fukunaga got sworn in at Honolulu Hale Tuesday, joining the City Council early because Tulsi Gabbard vacated the seat after winning her primary race for U.S. House. Also already on the job is fellow Council newbie Joey Manahan, replacing Romy Cachola, who left for the state Legislature.

The last two new councilmembers — former Sen. Ron Menor and former Rep. Kymberly Pine — come aboard in January.

If the move from state house to City Hall seems unusual, it is — but not in all cities. Take Los Angeles: This election cycle, five Assembly members and one state senator ran for L.A. City Council.

The California legislature has term limits, but that’s not the case here. Could having influence over some of the world’s most valuable lands be the main attraction for the Honolulu job? Sounds about right.