Randall Saito, let’s not forget, was in the Hawaii State Hospital rather than serving a prison sentence for killing a woman in 1979. Some would say that’s a deal. Now Saito’s lawyer thinks there could be another trade-off arranged to soften the judicial blow from his escape last fall. Saito managed to walk out unaccompanied and get off Oahu and on to California before he was caught.

How did he do it? Attorney Michael Green said the state should want to know, and should make a deal with Saito if he’ll explain.

We hope the court doesn’t buy that argument.

Celebrate the beauty of lei tomorrow

Tomorrow, May Day, is, of course, Lei Day in the islands. The city will hold its 91st annual celebration, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Kapiolani Park. The free event showcases lei-maker artistry, and features steel guitar music and hula performances. A traditional investiture ceremony for this year’s lei queen and court will get underway at 11:30 a.m.

Closing ceremonies will be held Tuesday morning at Mauna ‘Ala, the royal mausoleum, and Kawaiaha‘o Church. Lei from the event’s lei-making contest will be placed on the graves of alii.