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HPR ensnared in endangered snail romance
As repairs to a critical radio transmission line continue at a snail’s pace, Hawai‘i Public Radio can take heart that the newsworthy disruption of its million-dollar pledge drive is bringing the fall financial appeal to an even bigger audience. Here’s hoping new donors pick up the phone.
Storms knocked out power lines to the station’s relay facility at the summit of Mount Ka‘ala in the Wai‘anae range, leaving some listeners on Kauai and Oahu’s North Shore out of the loop. Normally, HECO would repair the electrical line quickly, but this particular location is home to a colony of endangered tree snails — and it’s mating season. So HPR is waiting patiently for the snails to "finish their business."
Sit-lie expansion plans need some work
Many times there’s cause for frustration with the Honolulu City Council, but we would argue that this is not one of them.
City Councilman Ron Menor wants to delay the expansion beyond Waikiki of the so-called "sit-lie" ordinance, which was due for its final vote on Wednesday. Yes, Menor was the author of the bill.
But he’s also an attorney and he’s now justifiably concerned about how the bill defines where sidewalks can be cleared of those lingering there — including the homeless who have pitched tents and tarps in public spaces around the island. It may not pass constitutional muster, he said.
There are lawyer in other cities — where a broad restriction like this was tried and got slapped down — who would agree.