Amid the federal government shutdown’s gloom are a few bright spots at Hawaii national parks. Despite bare-bones operations, visitors are still rolling into Hawaii Volcanoes, Haleakala and Pearl Harbor’s USS Arizona Memorial.

On Hawaii island, most of the volcano park is closed, but volunteers have pitched in to help direct visitors. On Maui, Haleakala’s summit road as well as trails and two campgrounds are open — and though its visitor centers are closed, sunrise reservations are still required for early-morning entry to the summit district. Thanks to contributions of nonprofits and the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Arizona Memorial’s visitor center remains open to the public.

Kawananakoa’s trust a complex business

When Circuit Judge R. Mark Browning ruled in September that Campbell Estate heiress Abigail Kawananakoa lacked the capacity to make complex changes to her trust, that would seem to have been the end of it.

It wasn’t. A trust amendment was proposed to add beneficiaries, distribute funds to a new foundation for Native Hawaiians and replace existing board members, among other changes.

State Attorney General Russell Suzuki now is making a persuasive argument: These proposed changes fit the definition of “complex.” Let’s hope the court agrees and brings this divisive case to an end.