Since when are election guides fascinating reading? Since Na‘i Aupuni published one including the candidates’ criminal-record disclosures.

The nonprofit, which is charging ahead with plans for electing delegates to a Native Hawaiian constitutional convention, has published the highlights from the candidates’ registration questionnaires. One of the questions had to do with any criminal history.

There are some kinds of crime the candidates consider quite honorable — arrests in the name of protest for the cause of Hawaiian sovereignty. Longtime activist Lilikala Kameeleihiwa, for example, expressed chagrin at her own lack of such an arrest. But there are confessions for more ordinary crimes, too. Fascinating.

Sharks showed aloha for tourists

Because no bad news resulted, fortunately, we can take a lighthearted glance back at Sunday’s two separate shark sightings off Waikiki.

There was the odd visual of hundreds of people frolicking in waves under a perfect blue-sky sunny day, despite alarming “SHARKS SIGHTED” warning signs posted at Kaimana Beach and Kuhio Beach. Didn’t any of those folks watch “Jaws?” The first shark-sighting report came about 9:50 a.m. off Duke’s Waikiki Restaurant; the second, at the “Old Man’s” surf spot. There was official emphasis that the sharks were non-aggressive. Whew. After all, this is the land of aloha — on land and in the sea. At least, that’s what the tourism bureau would like to believe.