Kakaako has changed, and it’s not done. Two businesses that had spanned the area’s redevelopment — the eatery Kaka‘ako Kitchen and retailer Pier 1 Imports, with one across the street — soon will be gone.

The Kitchen, to close in March, was a more casual spot to grab the cuisine of chef Russel Siu, of the upscale 3660 on the Rise fame. Siu is contemplating a new location, but all seven Pier 1 stores in Hawaii are due to close early next year.

The lesson: Even fixtures on the local scene don’t last forever.

Frustration about Mauna Kea

Hawaii County Council Chairman Aaron Chung is rightly exasperated with the ongoing standoff at Mauna Kea Access Road. Since mid-August, Hawaii County police stationed at the roadblock protest staged by Thirty Meter Telescope opponents have issued more than 7,600 traffic citations. Also, 71 people have been arrested for 132 offenses.

Even so, the protesters, who claim to be protecting the mauna, remain in the road, blocking a project that has the legal right to proceed. At a Council meeting last week, Chung said the police should “either sweep or come down.” A clearing of the road is long overdue.