HECO’s waterfront white elephant

The now-deactivated Honolulu Power Plant adjacent to Aloha Tower is certainly not the prettiest thing imaginable for the Honolulu waterfront.

And now that the switches are officially off for the faded block structures and electrical equipment, it’s fun to imagine something more attractive on the spot.

Hawaiian Electric Co. has indicated that, for now, the plant will be kept as a backup. But what about when the rail line comes through and every square inch of real estate around the nearby stop becomes extremely valuable? If only we could fast-forward a few years and see.

Troubled teen looks beyond isles for help

The case of an armed, mentally ill teenager shot while trying to enroll at Roosevelt High School highlights major gaps in Hawaii’s health care system. The teen, who also has a history of substance abuse, previously escaped from crisis-intervention programs in Ewa Beach and Honolulu.

Now, if his lawyer prevails, he will be held in a mainland facility that is secure and also provides psychiatric and drug treatment; the defense says no such option is available in Hawaii. Because the defendant is a minor, the case was referred to Family Court, where all proceedings are confidential.