Border collies rank among the smartest of dogs. That bodes well for a federal-state plan to use a pair of the collies to help chase out the nene (the Hawaiian goose) from the Hokuala Resort near Lihue Airport.

The nene is an endangered species, so keeping them from flying into the flight path is wise.

Border collies ordinarily herd cattle, though canine experts say some can be trained to chase birds instead. Let’s hope these can do so without treating them as prey — another border collie instinct.

Secrets of Capitol’s time capsule

This week, a fresh time capsule filled with mementos, including a sealed letter from former President Barack Obama, was placed in a corner column of the state Capitol rotunda. It serves as a replacement for a capsule tucked away there in 1969, when the state Capitol was dedicated.

As part of 50th anniversary festivities, the original — a 20-pound copper box — was opened, revealing photos of Gov. John Burns and his Cabinet, snapshots from all eight islands and the first state Constitution. Much of the content in the replacement capsule is a secret — remembrances for today’s grade-schoolers to sort through when they’re grandparents.