Amid controversy and a rushed confirmation process, Amy Coney Barrett is now a U.S. Supreme Court justice. Over objections of Democrats and others who had urged waiting until after next Tuesday’s general election, Barrett was confirmed by the Republican-led Senate and sworn in last night.

No such high-stakes drama is expected on our local judicial level, where Todd Eddins has been nominated to fill a vacancy on Hawaii’s Supreme Court. A Circuit Court judge and former state public defender, Eddins has criminal trial experience from both sides of the bench.

Higher visitor fees for Hanauma Bay

A new city ordinance that imposes higher nonresident entrance and vehicle parking fees at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve serves as a welcome step toward better balance of conservation and visitor traffic. All collected fees are required to go to maintenance, preservation and public education of the bay.

Also welcome is the City Council’s recent approval of a resolution calling for the start of a reservation system. The nonprofit Friends of Hanauma Bay has sensibly called for a cap that sets the daily limit at 1,000 visitors. Closed since mid-March due to COVID-19, we’re eager to see this popular — and environmentally refreshed — snorkeling site reopen.