The state Office of Planning, updating its sustainability blueprint, presented a Tuesday briefing to lawmakers, focused on pandemic challenges. But at earlier public meetings, said Danielle Bass, state sustainability coordinator, staff heard clear frustration from people trying to keep food on the table.

“They’re wrestling with food security, and we might be prioritizing climate issues in front of their basic food security needs,” Bass said.

The public is always happy to help keep priorities straight.

SHOPO fights transparency for HPD

In mid-September, Gov. David Ige signed off on a law that places the disciplinary files of county police officers who are fired or suspended where they belong: in the public record.

In a disappointing response, the State of Hawaii Organization of Police Officer recently filed lawsuits seeking to keep names under wraps until all grievance avenues for officers have been exhausted, asserting that releasing names violates privacy rights and a union collective bargaining agreement.

The bottom line should be the new law’s transparency requirement, which holds police and every other type of state and county employee to the same standard.