From banyans to golden trumpets at McKinley

Ask any McKinley High School graduate. The rows of banyan trees lining the front facing lawn, trimmed into neat lollipop shapes, have been part of the campus’ handsome appearance for decades.

Auwe. Nature has taken its toll, with an infestation of wasps doing damage to the trees. The consolation is that the Department of Education has planned not only for their removal but their replacement — with golden trumpet trees, resistant to the wasps.

They bloom early, unfortunately, missing graduation season. But they will suit a school whose colors are black and gold, so that’s a plus.

The cost of private schools keeps going up

Time to tighten those belts, private-school parents: tuition for your precious child is going up an average 4.5 percent.

All 17 of the largest private schools in Hawaii will be charging more come fall, with Hawaii Preparatory Academy on Hawaii island topping the list at $25,800 for the 2017-18 school year, a 5 percent increase. Rounding out the Top 5 are Punahou School at $23,850 (4 percent hike); Mid-Pacific Institute at $23,185 (5 percent); ‘Iolani School at $22,550 (4 percent); and Le Jardin Academy at $20,875 (5 percent).

Now, parents will need to work harder to cover costs — and that ethic should apply to students, as well.