Now we can all just get along

Wait — hear that?

It was the huge sigh of relief from all sides after two years of a bitter contract dispute between the Hawaii State Teachers Association and the state.

Some 13,500 teachers now are working under a new four-year contract, and Gov. Neil Abercrombie now can start repairing some of the ill will from the labor ranks.

Hawaii Labor Board members — who were lobbed HSTA’s complaint when Abercrombie imposed his "last, best and final offer" on the union — now can unhunker from the weight of non-decision, since the ratification made that whole case moot.

And perhaps the biggest sigh of relief came from HSTA head Wil Okabe: His members’ rejection of his first deal with the state spurred a public contrition, even as he spun his wheels before the labor board on the union’s behalf.

Summer forecast: clear sidewalks

Is the lease running out for inhabitants of sidewalks at Thomas Square and other spots?

Mayor Kirk Caldwell suggested as much as he awaits a legal review of a bill approved by the City Council.

If signed into law, city workers would be allowed to remove from sidewalks any items that are nuisances.

Caldwell hopes that can come soon after June 30, following the rule-making process that will include a public hearing.

Thomas Square has been home for (de)Occupy Honolulu supporters since fall 2011, and homeless encampments occupy other sidewalks around town.

Reclaiming public sites for public use will get interesting this summer.