Glory be: President Barack Obama’s underdog “homer pick” turned out to be right.

In an historic first for the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors basketball program, the team on Friday made it past the first round in the NCAA “March Madness” college basketball tournament, beating the fourth-seed California Golden Bears 77-66.

UH had made it to the first round four times before, but never to the “round of 32,” which in this tournament now will have Hawaii facing Maryland on Sunday.

So the UH men’s basketball season continues, and Hawaii fans remain transfixed. Go ’Bows!

Visiting artifacts recall Hawaii’s ali‘i era

A feathered cloak and helmet — prized artifacts from Hawaii’s ali‘i era — will be a prime Saturday attraction, starting with a formal celebration at 9:30 a.m. at Bishop Museum. They have just arrived on a long-term loan (possibly a permanent repatriation) from New Zealand.

Te Papa Tongarewa is not the only museum across the Commonwealth that has Hawaiian items, thanks to James Cook and other British influences. And although it’s good to have them home, there’s something nice about these examples of beautiful handiwork being on show around the globe. It spreads awareness of Hawaiian artistry.