We start with a snow job and end with a circus as we "flASHback" on February’s news that amused and confused:

» President Barack Obama singled out Hawaii Gov. David Ige at a White House meeting with Democratic governors, worrying that he didn’t dress warmly enough for Washington’s winter. A governor with no coat getting fashion advice from an emperor with no clothes.

» Critics complained that the resume of pro-development lobbyist Carleton Ching, who is Ige’s choice for state land director, has little to suggest he’s qualified for the job. Good luck selling that argument to a governor whose resume has little to suggest he’s qualified for the job.

» Mayor Kirk Caldwell pressed legislators for a permanent extension of the rail excise tax while refusing to say how much he expects the train to end up costing. You can’t put a price on paying off your campaign contributors.

» Caldwell announced a parks beautification initiative he called E Paka Kakou, which was variously translated as "Let’s smoke together" or "Let’s park our cars together." It takes real political talent to make no sense in two languages.

» After state Sen. Brickwood Galuteria had the city clerk certify that he lives in his Kakaako district, the city sent him a $7,200 bill for wrongly claiming a property tax exemption on a Palolo home. The subject line of the collection letter said: "Bachi!"

» If you wonder why Hawaii’s finances are sinking, the state is just now updating its 46-year-old accounting system that’s based on a manual written in 1969. Back then, our unfunded liabilities could be counted on fingers and toes.

» In another modernization, the state unveiled a $1.5 million computer upgrade that will better secure its critical data. With the new system, state officials will store data in the cloud, where their heads can access it.

» U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard appointed her third chief of staff in two years, this time hiring a health-food salesman from her church. With marijuana newly legal in D.C., Congress needs more staffers who can satisfy the munchies.

» Fired for getting the University of Hawaii in hot water with the NCAA, former Rainbow Warriors basketball coach Gib Arnold is demanding a $1.4 million termination fee. He’s relying on a legal principle pioneered at UH: No epic failure goes unrewarded.

» Honolulu came alive in February with music, fireworks and lion dances to celebrate the Year of the Sheep. It’s about time Hawaii voters got some recognition.

And the quote of the month … from rancher Alan Gottlieb on a bill to ban exotic animal acts in Hawaii: "The bill is just a step down a slippery slope. Today circuses and fairs, and tomorrow zoos and aquariums?" And the next day the Legislature and City Council?

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Reach David Shapiro at volcanicash@gmail.com or blog.volcanicash.net.