Protect memory of the USS Utah

It doesn’t have the tragic magnitude, or command nearly the attention, as the nearby USS Arizona. Nevertheless, 58 young crewmen were killed and entombed in the USS Utah when it was hit by two torpedoes during World War II and capsized. It is certainly a part of Pearl Harbor’s dramatic history.

So it’s an ongoing shame that, in the words of one concerned Pearl Harbor survivors liaison, the National Park Service "has chosen to neglect the maintenance, upkeep and public accessibility of the USS Utah Memorial."

For the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument, of which the USS Utah is a part, respect and understanding should mean wider public accessibility, not just limited prescheduled visits. It would seem simple enough to add a USS Utah stop at select times on the tour buses’ daily shuttles. The "forgotten memorial" needs to be remembered.

ACA helps Kaiser pad bottom line

It seems that Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has a healthier bottom line these days.

The health maintenance organization reported fourth-quarterly revenue of $305.7 million, up from $297.2 million, clearing a $1.4 million profit.

Most of that gain came from the additional 5,000 members who signed up as a result of the Affordable Care Act (it didn’t hurt that Kaiser is the only insurance provider on the Hawaii health exchange that is selling plans to small businesses required to cover employees).

Let’s hope most of that money goes toward hiring more clinicians, as even the HMO acknowledges it must do.