Thanks go to the state Public Utilities Commission for at least attempting to hold the line on companies while approving four solar energy projects.

The developers — EE Waianae Solar, Kawailoa Solar, Lanikuhana Solar and Waiawa PV — wanted a prompt decision so they could make a 2016 deadline to qualify for federal tax credits, a program that is due to lapse.

But even if they miss the deadline, they don’t get to pass on the added costs to the ratepayers. So says the PUC, in a condition tacked onto the approval.

Of course, those ratepayers will need to keep a watchful eye on their bills. Money is fungible, and it might be hard to tell what add-on fees are covering which expenses.

Turtles take over Arizona’s dock

This sounds like the start of a homegrown riddle, doesn’t it: How many sea turtles does it take to roust 7,000 tourists?

But this is Hawaii, where we take our protected species seriously, so it’s no joke.

Since last Wednesday, the USS Arizona Memorial has been closed to visitors for chunks of time, due to a few protected sea turtles around the site’s floating dock.

The green sea turtle is threatened and the hawksbill sea turtle is endangered, so there are state and federal laws that ban disturbing or harming them.

Thus far, some 7,000 people have been turned away from the memorial. Most visitors are said to have been disappointed but understanding, but let’s hope the critters mosey along soon to another, less-interesting site.