With Hawaii public schools reopening for the 2019-20 year in less than three weeks, The Salvation Army is ramping up its back-to-school supplies drive. Leading the most-needed items list: backpacks. Also needed: items ranging from colored pencils and composition books to wide-rule paper and small calculators.

Collections will wrap up on Sunday and Monday at Windward Mall and at The Salvation Army’s Kaneohe Corps., respectively. In downtown, the Salvation Army’s Kauluwela Corps will accept donations until Aug. 3. Also, two daylong drives are set for Aug. 3 at Walmart stores in Kapolei and Mililani. For details, visit SchoolSupplyHawaii.org.

Losing an art treasure in Makiki

All good things must come to an end, they say, but that doesn’t make the closure of Spalding House sting any less. In fact, one hopes there could be a way to stave off this fate.

Of course, the Honolulu Museum of Art, which felt the drain on resources and is putting this asset up for sale, finds it regrettable, too. The stately Makiki Heights home has a rich history, with its art exhibits a wonder to see in that setting.

Maybe someone would buy it for a public purpose? More likely it will be for the 1% — but we can dream.