The state Education Department lauded Kalani High’s first girls’ locker room last week as a “great step forward” for gender equity. But that step — an effort to comply with federal law — is decades overdue.

Congress passed Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity, in 1972. While the law does not mandate identical sports team offerings for boys and girls, it does require overall equal opportunity to play, and equal treatment tied to facilities and other matters, such as scheduling. Glaring disparities linger at some Hawaii public schools, and it appears that the state has a long way to go to even the score.

Amazon’s air force targets Hawaii

Hawaii hasn’t represented enough of a market draw for every business to put much effort into fulfilling online orders; some still won’t ship here at all. But it appears that Amazon has enough money — billions, isn’t it? — that investing in island services can pencil out.

That’s why Amazon has established a facility right at Honolulu’s airport for handling merchandise coming in on now-daily flights. For those marveling at the speedy delivery — that’s why.

Could owner Jeff Bezos take the distribution center once planned for New York and move it here? Don’t hold your breath.