Leadership tussle goes down oddly

There’s always drama around organizing the leadership of any elected body. In the case of the Honolulu City Council, it seems more like comedy.

The latest kerfuffle involves Councilmen Trevor Ozawa and Ikaika Anderson, the former wanting the latter out as vice chairman, to be replaced by Councilman Joey Manahan. Anderson ended up losing a key committee chairmanship instead.

A similar measure to seat Councilwoman Kymberly Pine in the No. 2 spot had been proposed by Anderson when, he said, he’d heard that several colleagues wanted him out of leadership.

How will it all end?

“Sometimes our emotions get the best of us, but that doesn’t prevent us from moving forward and acting in a professional manner,” Chairman Ernie Martin said.

Kakaako parks get a breather

From Mauka to Makai — Kakaako Gateway parks, that is — overuse by homeless encampments has prompted a month-plus closure for repairs and cleanup.

The two patches of state park have been cleared and closed to all since July 5. Free of the near-constant tents, work is underway to trim trees, rehab lawns and repair broken sprinklers. The public closure runs till at least Aug. 15 “or until further notice.”

Nearby businesses surely are relieved, even as concerns persist over the well-being of those displaced. Some have entered shelters, but many other homeless people have migrated elsewhere.

The Kakaako Gateway parks might be clear, but the solutions are not.