Given all the lava fields covering the Big Island and the way Kilauea keeps adding to them, it’s hard to imagine an urgent shortage of volcanic cinder. Yet up to $150,000 in federal coronavirus aid is going toward finding a commercially viable new source. The existing quarry, an old volcanic site in Pahoa, is tapped out.

Turns out producing black cinder — prized as a planting medium — requires a precise combination of volcanic fountaining, gas bubbles and cooling time. See, you can learn something new every day.

Traveling nurses like Hawaii

Hawaii apparently is in a strong position to attract the needed “traveler” personnel to reinforce local hospital staffing during the current COVID-19 surge, the first of whom have begun to arrive. Just search the net for “top locations” and “travel nurse” to see lots of rankings showing the islands as a choice short-term place to work.

However, it’s a cash-flow problem for the hospitals waiting for anticipated federal funds to pay for the help. Let’s hope the money comes through soon.