Homeowners in Honolulu have their own cost-of-living challenges, of course, but seeing what monthly rents have risen to should elicit a bit of empathy for renters.

The median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Honolulu in August was $1,700 — and that actually dropped 1.7 percent from the previous month and was nearly 6 percent cheaper than a year earlier, says a new survey by Zumper, an online service for renters and landlords.

For a two-bedroom rental, the Honolulu median price was $2,430. Gads. Back in the day — way back, it seems — that just about covered a homeowner’s monthly mortgage. How times, and costs, have changed.

May UHWO candidate with best ideas be selected

Three candidates for the post of chancellor of the University of Hawaii-West Oahu are gearing up to impress the UH Board of Regents.

Maenette Benham, Larry Buckley and Franklin Kudo each brings his or her own experience in academics and administration.

The regents, we hope, will pick the one with the vision and drive to help the young campus grow up alongside the second city — also on the verge of boom times.