New year and new Council sure to bring new drama

City Councilman Trevor Ozawa’s hovering hand over the gavel to chair the Council was abruptly shaken Friday, when the Hawaii Supreme Court ordered more information be given to challengers of his re-election. The challenges were filed after incumbent Ozawa eked out victory over former lawmaker Tommy Waters by a 22-vote margin. The court is requiring election officials to provide more data; meanwhile, the City Council is set to convene Wednesday, with leadership to be decided.

Ozawa beat Waters by 41 votes in 2014; that time the court declined to hear Waters’ legal challenge. Council-watchers know Ozawa would clash with the mayor, so expect much more drama to ensue.

A red and ready reminder to be safe on the roads

Today’s the last day of the annual Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s campaign, during which motorists display red ribbons as a November-December reminder to themselves and others to always designate a non-drinking driver. Last year, 26 percent of all traffic fatalities nationwide that occurred between Thanksgiving and New Year’s were caused by drunken drivers.

In place for four months, the Honolulu Police Department’s impaired driver checkpoints — with unannounced times and locations — will continue through February. Enjoy the rest of the season, but responsibly.