After being dormant for many months due to the pandemic, Ko Olina Resort is awakening amid a flurry of news. The latest: the area’s Four Seasons Resort Oahu is now wholly owned by Hong Kong-based Henderson Land Group, after Ko Olina master developer Jeff Stone’s company sold its interest.

Earlier this month, Ko Olina Resort reignited controversy after it attempted to close off public access to three of its four lagoons, despite Hawaii law protecting beach access for all. Public parking was reopened in mid-October, though not at the full capacity it should be.

Let’s hope the next round of news from Ko Olina is positive, especially for the Four Seasons’ 800 workers who have been furloughed, albeit with medical benefits, since March.

Lowering the risk of lead exposure

A new report from the Hawai‘i Children’s Action Network shines a light on a preventable health threat: childhood lead poisoning. Among the report’s recommendations: increasing inspections of older houses and other possible lead sources, more funding for lead poisoning prevention efforts, and requiring all children to be tested.

From 2018 to 2019, only about 26% of children ages 1 and 2 in Hawaii were tested, with about 1% showing elevated levels, according to the nonprofit’s report. Since even low levels of exposure can result in severe consequences, it’s important for the state to help lower the risk of exposure.