An international show of aloha on the sea

Despite simmering tensions in the East China and South China seas, China is invited to again return to next summer’s biennial Rim of the Pacific exercises off Hawaii. In a show of military aloha, invites are extended to each of the 26 nations that took part in last year’s event.

A year ago, before RIMPAC kicked off, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said: “These (exercises) are the sorts of things that bring us all together in sort of positive, constructive ways.” The at-sea “interoperability” drills range from diving and submarine rescue to anti-piracy.

Good news for Searider media program

Waianae, which often has a long wait for community ugrades, can be excited about this one. The $10.7 million expansion of the facilities serving Waianae High School’s long-established Searider Productions media program will elevate the center into a real community asset.

The program started small, with 85 students in hot classrooms. It’s tripled in enrollment, and the added classroom space will accommodate 100 more students. Check it out: www.seariderproductions.com.