Hawaii’s population is expected to bump up and down over the next few decades, gradually increasing to 1.65 million people by 2045. And the state’s age profile snapshot will be noticeably grayer as the 65-and-older bracket accounts for nearly a quarter of the population — up from about 17 percent in recent years, according to the report released last week by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. A DBEDT projections series for the 2015 state population missed the subsequent U.S. Census figure of 1,425,157 by just 6,907 — a forecasting error of 0.5 percent. Looks like Hawaii should begin bracing for the Silver Tsunami.

Our children’s well-being stuck in the middle

The latest installment of the Kids Count Data Book — released annually by the Baltimore-based Annie E. Casey Foundation — ranks Hawaii among the middle-of-the-pack states for overall child well-being. Our strongest showings were in the areas of “family-and-community” and health, ranking 12th and 13th among states.

Among the weakest links: education, 37th. The dings start with a short supply of preschool opportunities. That echoes points made in a recent report produced by the University of Hawaii’s Center on the Family in partnership with Hawaii Children’s Action Network. More state resources on education could bring about a well-being boost.