For health care, payoffs come later

Doubtlessly, the 11,000 or so Hawaii enrollees in Obamacare’s individual health plans, who will be paying 9.2 percent more for the insurance, are not feeling that the Affordable Care Act has delivered anything particularly affordable to them.

But the real assessment of the ACA is still a long way off. The idea behind this approach to health care reform, say its proponents, lies in whether people getting better access to regular care will keep them healthier in the long run, with less of a cost to society.

There are also changes in incentives for those delivering the care that are aimed at boosting efficiency and lowering cost.

Whether it succeeds will be clearer as 2014 unfolds, and clearer still in the years beyond that. Pundits, place your bets.

‘Tis the season for recycling Christmas trees

There’s something inherently poignant about a Christmas tree that’s about to be defrocked of its bright lights and other fine adornments.

But here we are, welcoming a new year, which means farewell to the old one — and to that hardy pine tree. So go at it: Remove those ornaments, pull off that tinsel, unhitch that star. The trees can be placed at the curb for pickup along with other green waste; the trees must fit inside the green recycle bins with lids closed. Households without bins can cut the tree into bundles up to 3 feet long. Christmas trees also can get dropped off for free at any Refuse Convenience Center.

And don’t get too wistful: Christmas will be here again before we know it.