Buddy, can you spare a dime?

Please say it isn’t happening again: the minimum-wage bill stalling in another conference committee.

The exact reason for the House-Senate dispute is different, say people who are tracking this legislation. The Senate seems to have agreed to the 75-cent tip credit that the House wanted the thing that up-ended negotiations last year.

This time the stopper has been the difference in the hourly wage itself: $10 on the House side, $10.10 on the Senate.

Yes, a dime’s difference.

The workers themselves would say this adds up to something real in a year’s time, and we wouldn’t argue with that. And this issue is likely tied to some back-room bargaining over something we can’t yet fathom.

But today is the deadline, and regardless of the complications, letting this deal implode over something this small would be a travesty. That much anyone can see from here in the front room.

Whole lot of swaying in Hilo

Every year at the Merrie Monarch Festival, there can be only one Miss Aloha Hula, of course. Still, congratulations to all 13 ladies who contended so gracefully under pressure in Thursday night’s competition.

Friday night, attention now turns to the group competitions, with hula kahiko (ancient) starting at 6 p.m. On Saturday night, the hula auana (modern) starts at 6 p.m.; the festival will culminate in the late hours with the awards presentation.

To fans lucky enough to be in Hilo for the festivities: Get your seat pads ready. For those watching the fest on TV: Set your sets on KFVE, and enjoy the show.