Restaurant video underwhelming

The limitations of technology went on display Wednesday at the murder trial of State Department special agent Christopher Deedy. The eagerly awaited surveillance video — which a judge refused to make public before the trial, fearing Deedy would not get a fair trial — turned out to be less definitive than anticipated.

The choppy, low-frame-rate video looked more like a grainy slide show than a movie. Critical aspects of the fatal shooting of Kollin Elderts were unclear, and both the defense and prosecution found images to support their side. There was no audio to clarify what happened. As a piece of evidence, it was underwhelming.

However, it showed something else with crystal clarity: the final moments of Elderts’ 23-year-old life. As a tragedy, no explanation was necessary.

EV cars becoming more accepted

There’s good news and bad news for all those waiting for the electric vehicles (EV) to become a more convenient and affordable option.

Hawaiian Electric Co. is advancing plans to cut recharging costs and adding new charging stations. The utility will end a "demand charge" that it had been applying whenever usage spikes above a certain point.

But the honeymoon is over, it seems, for EV drivers who have been using the charging stations at the Honolulu airport lot. Since July 1, cars parked at the stations are waived parking fees only for the first 24 hours, and then the drivers have to pay the regular rate. Hey, if you can afford one of these cars, you can afford overnight parking, right?