Getting word out on suicide prevention

Due to an apparent glitch in transmission from the Legislature to Gov. David Ige, House Bill 655, to designate September as “Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month,” is in the “intent to veto” lineup.

It’s heartening, then, that Ige, who supports the bill to step up public awareness of suicide-prevention resources and support, intends to designate September 2019 as such, via executive order.

Plus, Ige will work with lawmakers to make legislative fixes so September 2020 will be properly designated. A new study ranks Hawaii as having among the highest suicides rates nationwide — 15.2 per 100,000, based on 2017 data.

Rail transit needs legal representation

The rail project always has been touted as a generator of jobs in Honolulu, and that seems to go for the legal profession, as well. It appears a lawyer’s work is never done, where this project is concerned.

The city has had to hire an outside attorney to handle the workload arising from the federal criminal investigation of the project, setting aside up to $50,000 to pay for that expense. Let’s hope that covers it.