The last time Colleen Hanabusa fretted over her first day of class as a freshman was Jan. 3, 2011. That’s when the longtime Hawaii lawmaker was sworn in as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Now that she’s returning to Congress, filling the vacancy left with the death of U.S. Rep. Mark Takai, Hanabusa finds herself at the head of the class. Not too many freshmen come in as a senior, but so it goes.

To be sure, nobody likes to be held back and advance with the young kids, but Hanabusa is happy to repeat this year of “school.”

More bike lanes, more to watch out for

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, more dedicated bicycle lanes are expected to appear on busy urban Honolulu streets early next year.

The city announced plans to add striped bike lanes to both sides of McCully Street in January, and a protected bike lane is planned for South Street in early February.

The new lanes will connect with the controversial King Street bike lane, making it easier to reach more places in town on two wheels.

And for drivers? Well, sharing the road means traveling a little more slowly and carefully. Let’s be safe out there.