Shinseki can keep his head held high

Eric Shinseki’s resignation as Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs was sadly inevitable, as evidence mounted of mismanagement and misconduct at VA hospitals throughout the country. 

While critics are happy to see heads roll at the top, they should recognize that the influx of wounded from 13 years of continuous war, inadequate federal funding for key programs and the VA’s entrenched bureaucracy will be as challenging for Shinseki’s successor as they were for the retired general, a Kauai native and Vietnam War veteran who has honorably served his country.

Islands are nice, but they stay in place

Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko’s 394-foot-long, futuristic yacht, called "A," which has been docked in Honolulu Harbor since May 23, is indeed an awesome sight. 

And for $323 million it should be. According to research firm Wealth-X, the yacht is the fifth most expensive luxury purchase of all time.

But for just $177 million more, Melnichenko maybe could have bought the island of Lanai, which Wealth-X said ranks second among luxury purchases of all time.

Hmm, a yacht or Lanai … which would you choose? 

We know what U.S. billionaire Larry Ellison decided.

By the way, the most expensive luxury purchase of all time? A yacht called "Azzam," bought by Sheikh Khalifa, president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, for $627 milion.