Let’s think outside the park

It’s curious that Gov. Neil Abercrombie is not among the governors nationwide who have been asking for authority to reopen the national parks in their states — especially considering how important some of them are to the state’s tourism industry.

The Obama administration said Thursday it would allow some federal parks to reopen, but only so long as the states they’re in foot the bills. Abercrombie apparently objected to that, but — assuming the federal shutdown continues — perhaps some creative thinking could help.

For example, since all federal employees are likely to receive back pay for their time furloughed during the shutdown, maybe the state could pay for the federal park rangers to return to work now, and later their backpay checks could be directed to the state.

Or perhaps Hawaii’s tourism leaders could pony up the money, since it is their industry that’s affected the most.

Or in lieu of reopening all the parks, maybe just the ones that are the most popular, like the USS Arizona Memorial.