We in Hawaii love our cultural traditions, which honor our melting-pot lifestyle and heritage. So, even if times have evolved and the Japanese “Girls Day” in March and “Boys Day” in May have been bundled into the one “Children’s Day” in May, we still embrace any occasion to give and get loving little tokens.

Today is the third day of the third month (3/3) — so Happy Girls Day! Traditionally, “hina matsuri” was the annual time for girls to display their collections of elaborate dolls of the Japanese royal court — detailed doll sets with silk kimonos, fans, musical instruments — that were passed down through the generations. In Hawaii, the local tradition includes gift-giving to girls in one’s life.

Then on the fifth day of the fifth month (5/5), it’ll be the boys’ turn — and all kids, really, under the modern-day Children’s Day.

Beware attempts to revive the ACA exchange

Into the clanking repeal-and-replace confusion that now surrounds the Affordable Care Act, Hawaii lawmakers are throwing a new monkeywrench.

Although the fate of “Obamacare” is anything but clear, they are moving Senate Bill 403 and House Bill 552, which attempt to mirror elements of the ACA.

Oh, what could go wrong? Well, remember the state exchange that was created for the sale of health plans that would meet both federal and state health-care requirements? The Hawaii Health Connector — a failure despite $205 million in federal dollars? Oh, yeah, that. Better to do no harm than to kill this patient.