The inflationary pause that refreshes

On paper, inflation in Honolulu during the first half of this year was barely discernible, and at this pace, stands to end 2015 at its lowest level since 2009. Good news indeed.

This low inflation rate — just 0.7 percent up from the same period last year — is thanks largely to big drops here in gas and electricity prices, which are certainly welcomed by consumers. But, those energy easings on the pocketbook are countered by rising costs for food and beverages (up 4.2 percent from the same period a year ago) as well as for medical care (up 4.8 percent) and education/communication (up 3.1 percent).

Such is life on the inflationary treadmill: two steps forward, three steps back.

Factoids about Hawaii now at your fingertips

Have you ever wondered who are the state’s biggest landowners? How many of Hawaii’s bridges are structurally deficient? How many pounds of striped marlin were landed between 2012 and 2014?

You can find out all that and much, much more in the latest version of the Hawaii Data Book, a statistical treasure chest produced by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

The 2014 edition, available at dbedt.hawaii.gov/economic/databook, tells the story of Hawaii by the numbers.

If you aspire to become an informed citizen — or just to be a know-it-all — the Data Book is a good place to start.