Oahu’s new accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance, which the mayor is poised to sign, seems to be an important element in any realistic strategy for increasing affordable rentals in this city.

However, allowing construction of the add-on dwellings is not without its risks, as many critics have pointed out. Given an inch, some homeowners have been known to take the “mile” of renting to tenants who don’t qualify, or to too many tenants altogether. The strain on sewers, streets and neighbors’ patience is a real issue.

City building and planning and zoning departments will have to be vigilant against rulebreakers.

But the plain fact is we need this extra housing capacity.

Hello Muddah, hello Faddah

Hawaii has generations of two-income families under its belt — how else can we survive the cost of living?

That has to be one of the factors behind a high level of fathers in the island home cited in a new study.

“The State of Fathers in the State of Hawaii” pointed out that Aloha State dads are more likely to be part of a two-parent family compared nationally.

Perhaps our chronic housing shortage also adds to the likelihood that mom and dad will be under the same roof?

Whatever the reason, having a father nearby is critically important to the health and well-being of keiki. So there’s no way to read this report as anything other than good news.