It is very encouraging to see that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority has an aggressive plan for affordable rentals along the rail line.

Transit-oriented development is meant to attract public-private partnerships for the construction of affordable housing. It’s a challenging goal.

A total of 10 projects were described this week to lawmakers at a joint hearing of the House and Senate housing committees. The public-housing yield — up to 10,600 units — doesn’t close the affordable housing gap, but it would narrow it nicely.

Shoppers out in force for Father’s Day

Both Father’s Day and Mother’s Day have moved far beyond just greeting cards. The National Retail Federation’s forecast for spending tied to tomorrow’s holiday is a record high— $15.5 billion — for the annual survey, which gauges planned shopping and spending. That adds up to an impressive count of neckties, electronics, sporting goods and barbecue gadgets among other gifts. The survey projects that shoppers will spend an average of $134.75 on Dad. And for Mom? An average of $186.39.