Public hospitals a campaign issue

The perennial conundrum that is the Hawaii Health Systems Corp. has emerged as a top issue for the top gubernatorial candidates, and it’s high time.

Year after year, the HHSC seeks hundreds of millions of dollars from the state Legislature to run its network of 12 public hospitals and clinics, then returns prematurely pleading for millions more in emergency appropriations because of rising costs and an unsustainable civil-service structure ill-equipped to adapt efficiently to health service needs and equipment upgrades.

Now, the top three gubernatorial hopefuls are pledging to take a leadership role, if elected, in transitioning HHSC into a probable public-private partnership.

The details remain vague, but at least the issue is on the candidates’ radar.

HTA reminds us we’re in Hawaii

The Hawaii Tourism Authority’s effort to underscore the presence of the native language — printing its agendas in Hawaiian — is meant more as an internal reminder to staff than anything else, said Keli‘iho- alani Wilson, HTA’s director of cultural affairs.

But there are more public-facing elements of HTA’s Hawaiian Culture Initiative, including the recently completed rollout of Hawaiian language options in Bank of Hawaii ATM machines and an in-flight video in Hawaiian now in development.

The most noticeable project is the recorded greeting in Hawaiian that since 2011 has played regularly at Hawaii’s airports.

Wilson said she receives questions about it from visitors and delighted responses from residents, who love hearing the language as much as anyone.