Certainty wins at UH for now

Trying to predict the outcome of an NCAA investigation is always a gamble. But the University of Hawaii is doubling down on Gib Arnold by proposing a three-year contract extension for the men’s basketball coach.

Arnold already has an automatic one-year extension, thanks to last season’s 20-win record. UH could simply have waited to learn the outcome of the NCAA’s inquiry into Arnold’s program before committing to another three years. But UH athletic director Ben Jay didn’t want contract uncertainties to cloud Arnold’s ability to recruit players. And the coach does have a winning record over four seasons, 72-55.

Even so, it’s not always wise to bet on the NCAA’s capacity for restraint and fairness. Let’s hope UH’s wager pays off.

Public servants must be public

What’s that saying about the wheels of justice turning slowly?

Well, it’s becoming increasingly apt for Hawaii state government, as one after another of assorted commission and board members fall like lemmings into the privacy sea rather than comply with a new, good financial disclosure law.

To date, there have been18 resignations from some of these pillar-of-the-community types. And that forced the cancellation of at least three board meetings this week: of the state Land Use Commission, the University of Hawaii Board of Regents and the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corp.

Doing the people’s business really shouldn’t be this contrary.

Now it’s up to the governor and appointment panels to get busy on replacements.