Intriguing land deal needs more study

The Legislature seems to be pushing the idea of a land swap — the one that would trade Dole Food Co. ag land near Wahiawa for state-owned acreage nearer the rail line in Kapolei — to the slow track.

Senate Bill 3065, sponsored by Wahiawa Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, made it out of the Ways and Means Committee and over to the House once it was framed as proposing funds "to investigate the possibility" of the swap.

The idea drew praise from farmers and others who want to see state ag park operations expanded and the north-central Oahu plain turned into something of a breadbasket, so to speak. But state agencies with an interest in West Oahu — the University of Hawaii and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, to name two — want a fuller discussion.

With question marks still hanging over development and land values around rail stations, caution is in order.

Give Kupuna Care support, and no gaps

Gov. Neil Abercrombie said he’s confident that a problem with Kupuna Care funding will be resolved quickly. We’re sure that the senior citizens who rallied at the state Capitol this week in favor of the state program serving Hawaii’s elderly population will hold him to that assurance.

There are two issues here: The program needs more funding overall, given that its budget has been flat since 2002, despite a 30 percent increase in Hawaii’s elderly population. Secondly, the state Executive Office of Aging, which administers Kupuna Care, must ensure that the services continue to reach as many needy seniors as possible. An administrative approach that anticipates future changes in Medicaid coverage seems premature, and has apparently created a "gap group" who no longer qualify for essential services.

So get on it, governor. The kupuna will appreciate the assist.