Let’s find killers of monk seals

It’s horrifying enough that a young Hawaiian monk seal was bludgeoned to death on Kauai, but even worse knowing how much time and effort has gone toward protecting this critically endangered species.

This is at least the fifth Hawaiian monk seal killed under suspicious circumstances since 2011.

Anyone with information about this Class C felony or the earlier killings should call enforcement authorities at (800) 853-1964 or (855) 356-7847.

Rewards are being offered for information that leads to convictions in any of the cases.

Not automatic but maybe good idea?

Like other airlines, Hawaiian Airlines will not automatically lower air fares in response to lower jet fuel prices.

"I don’t think there is any automatic reason why lower fuel prices translates into lower fares," said Hawaiian CEO Mark Dunkerley.

That’s true. It’s not automatic. Neither is raising fares when fuel prices increase. Or investing in overseas routes to attract Asian and mainland tourists. Or methodically raising fares on interisland routes, making it more difficult for local residents to visit family or conduct business on other islands — a complaint we’ve been hearing with increasing frequency. Those are business decisions made by executives at Hawaiian Airlines.

We don’t begrudge Hawaiian its profits; the company’s sound financial health is important to Hawaii. But given the airline’s near-monopoly on interisland travel, so is affordability — particularly for kamaaina.