Wanted: New chief for Democrats

Kealii Lopez’s move to a new job as Hawaii’s AARP executive director — a nonpartisan post — requires her resignation as Hawaii Democratic Party chairwoman. Nomination forms are now in circulation for an interim party chair. Among the top priorities for the new leader: keeping tabs on the state’s debut of vote-by-mail election. Also, in spring, the party will conduct the 2020 Presidential Preference Poll, with mail-in ballots being sent to every registered Democrat statewide. Back in 2016, more than 33,700 ballots were cast in Hawaii, with Bernie Sanders getting 70% of the votes; and Hillary Clinton, 30%.

Kudos, not rebuke, for bilingualism

It’s not known exactly what was said between Xiara Mercado and an unnamed woman who reportedly chided the senior airman for speaking Spanish while in uniform in a Starbucks near Hickam. But any anecdote documenting resentment about bilingualism is distressing to hear, especially in multicultural Hawaii.

Personnel skilled at two languages are valued in military service, or should be. How being bilingual in American society somehow can be seen as unpatriotic is beyond reason.