With the delta variant of COVID-19 sounding alarm bells nationwide, indoor mask mandates have rightly been reinstated, for the vaccinated and unvaccinated alike.

That mandate was never eased here, fortunately — and isle residents traveling to Las Vegas should know that indoor mask-wearing was reimposed there on Friday. That’s particularly good for all of us here, since about 20% of Hawaii’s daily case counts have been travel-related — the contagion being spread by returning residents, not so much by the mainland visitors.

Would-be hikers in Maunawili

Volunteers and paid security are turning away would-be hikers of the Maunawili Falls Trail. Although the state officially closed the popular nature walk for two years, people still show up at the locked gate.

One of the residents on Friday was handing out sheets with QR codes leading visitors to an alternative falls access.

The leading hiking app, AllTrails, now does list the standard trailhead as closed. “Bummer,” the app proclaims. For the visitors, maybe, but the neighbors are cheering.