Prepare for unusual traffic near Pier 2 (at the end of Punchbowl and South streets) on Thursday, with the arrival of the Ovation of the Seas, the largest cruise vessel to make a call in Honolulu. About 5,000 passengers are expected to leave the ship between 6:30 and 11 a.m.

Travel along Nimitz Highway and Ala Moana Boulevard is allowed for those who must, but commuters would be advised to think twice about that.

It’s the world’s fourth largest cruise ship — surely big enough for this little harbor.

Trouble with project in Waimanalo

Communities insist, as they should, on being looped into plans for improvements in their area. But opinions are not etched in stone, it seems, judging from the latter-day upset over changes in progress at Waimanalo Bay Beach Park.

Some complaints stem from the removal of ironwood pines and brush at what’s come to be known informally as Sherwood Forest, but that’s mainly to accommodate the plan’s first phase, a new ball field.

Surely there’s a way to soften the rough edges here. A few trees may help.