Not the first in the nation, but it’s sooner than you think. The Hawaii GOP caucus is set for March 8, when party members get to pick the delegates’ candidate at the national convention.

Of course, they’ll miss out on the full menu of candidates. With each passing day on the campaign trail, there could be more dropping out. The Democrats go later, March 26, but it’s likely to be the same two-Dem fight to the end.

But this campaign season, especially for onlookers of the wide Republican field, some may be tiring of the bruising battles. To them, a later, more peaceful primary vote sounds appealing. The dust will have cleared — some of it, at least.

Yesterday, Kakaako buildout seemed so far away

For long-time kamaaina, it might seem like only yesterday that Nordstrom Rack and neighbor Office Depot were the new kids on the Kakaako block. How time flies.

Now, those shops have vacated the Kamakee-Queen-streets site to make room for Ward Village’s Ae‘o condo, a 38-story glass tower that will sit above a new Whole Foods store. At a groundbreaking Thursday, some local tenants-to-be who were invited to the ceremony expressed excitement about moving into the booming urban core. While that won’t come cheap — a 409-square-foot studio sells for over $405,016 — the prices are relatively affordable compared with the ultra-luxe Waiea nearby, now under construction with great ocean views.

Like it or not, Kakaako is undergoing a major transformation. Long-time kamaaina who’ve not been down there for a while will be stunned.