First the good news on Hawaii’s rising diabetes problem: The University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine just received $11 million in federal grants over five years to create a research center, to include clinical studies specific to Hawaii’s high-risk population.

But here’s the dire news: About half of our state’s population has diabetes or prediabetes, with the staggering increases over the past two decades disproportionately affecting Native Hawaiians, Asians and Pacific Islanders. And diabetes contributes to other serious health problems, such as heart disease. While more research and remedies are vital, people can help themselves by reducing sugar and carbohydrates consumed.

Keiki could use a ride to school on Maui

A school bus contractor’s shortage of drivers is touching off back-to-school hardships on Maui that far exceed the usual commuter headaches. Ground Transport Inc., which had 10 vacancies on Wednesday, needs at least a few more weeks to put employees behind the wheel.

Meanwhile, with routes serving three schools suspended, motoring parents are clogging streets at dropoff and pickup times.

In a perfect world, competing contractor Roberts Hawaii, which has said it has enough drivers ready to roll, would be able to send over, say, 10 drivers to get the kids to school while officials sort out the busing snags.

Too bad this is not a perfect world.