An ‘Oscar’ for isle astronomy

The world’s first image of a supermassive black hole, which has a fitting Hawaiian name, has won the 2020 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics award, known as the “Oscars of Science.” Congrats to all involved: nearly 350 scientists and telescopes at six locations around the globe, including two on Mauna Kea.

Astronomers collaborated with University of Hawaii Hawaiian language professor and cultural practitioner Larry Kimura in naming the discovery Powehi, which means “the adorned fathomless dark creation” or “embellished dark source of unending creation.” The name comes from the Kumulipo, the 18th-century Hawaiian creation chant.

Not all green for medical cannabis

So, the medical cannabis industry hasn’t been quite the money tree people expected. Sales have grown slowly — despite credentialed tourists now allowed to buy here, too.

Some surmise that the profit lag is due to startup costs — dispensaries are all relatively new businesses — and can be overcome.

But it would not be surprising to find that investors in these operations are anxious. So it also wouldn’t be surprising to see heavy lobbying next legislative session to legalize recreational marijuana, too.