Military cleanup better late than …

The news of the munitions and contaminants cleanup on the Radford High School track construction site brings relief — and concern.

However minimal the risk of exposure may be, whatever safeguards are in place to eliminate any explosion risk, a place where teenagers are running and jumping is not where such items should remain.

And yet they’ve languished there for years. This probably gives pause to the neighboring school and residential communities as well — not to mention those in Kaneohe and Kapolei, where dirt excavated previously was found to be contaminated, too.

It’s a reminder of how long the effects of military activity can persist. It also underscores the expense of cleanup: $8 million for this one site. Every taxpayer can feel that one.

Hawaii County gets some relief

It’s certainly good news for Hawaii County farmers hit hard by Tropical Storm Iselle last month: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated the county a primary natural disaster area, making devastated farm operators eligible for emergency loans from the Farm Service Agency.

Papaya farmers suffered more than $50 million in damage from Iselle, early assessments show — and macadamia nut, coffee and ornamental flower growers also have seen severe losses.

The FSA already has received more than 100 inquiries for help.

Meanwhile, the state is appealing an earlier Federal Emergency Management Agency denial for a major disaster declaration, which would help residents. Whatever that outcome, it’s at least heartening that farmers are getting some relief.