i L i n d . n e t

Olivia, formerly known as Ms. Kitten, was greeted by her new people yesterday morning on our front deck. We had a final hour here before they arrived and tried to squeeze everything possible out of it. We were sad to see her go, but this kitten is heading into a very feline-centric household where she’s going to be a queen. Well, a princess at least. Here Olivia settles in with Tanya before they drove back home to the other side of Kaaawa. Now we’re related by kitten. I wonder how that shows up in genealogical charts?

Now we notice the absence. No unexplained noises under the shoe rack. No mad charges down the hall and directly under the bed without slowing. No worries about what might be underfoot with each step. And, in my case, the bloody legs, victims of cat climbing ambitions, will now have a chance to heal.

The Star-Bulletin reporter Craig Gima writes today about a troubling new policy of the UH Board of Regents which has turned information on the proposed UH budget into state secrets.

Perhaps the Board of Regents had best carefully examine Opinion 91-22 issued by the Office of Information Practices in November 1991. This opinion looks at a very similar case of an agency seeking to deny public access to internal documents, including budget recommendations, which were substantively discussed at a public meeting. OIP concluded that the agency had waived its right to keep these documents secret by discussing them in a public meeting. OIP strongly advised agencies to follow this practice of disclosing documents as they become matters of public discussion unless there are additional specific reasons justifying withholding.

It’s sad that the Board of Regents is again taking the low road when it comes to disclosure and transparency. I hope that UHPA, the university union, does take this matter to court.

From Ryan Ozawa:

Eric Manke (ACM student, actor, son of a great guy…) submitted two commercials to Heinz’s “Top This” ketchup ad contest. Finalists to be announced Monday!

That link will take you to one of Ryan’s web sites where the videos can be viewed.

And from Lenie on Maui:

I’ve been a longtime fan of your blog and its mix of cat and political goings-on. You somehow manage to make both mix in a wonderful and habit-forming way.

Anyway, I thought you might find this cat blog from the 9th Life Hawaii sanctuary on Maui interesting.

There’s a story about the organization’s recent airport rescue — and adorable adoptable cats too.

Thanks for that link, Lenie!

Laurie at Nohea Gallery writes: “The 4th annual Honolulu Woodturners’ show is at Ward Warehouse till the 31st of August, and the silent auction (100% goes to Aloha United Way) is online this year.”

She also surprised me by adding our Kaaawa Morning Dogs to her list of “cool things to do in Honolulu,” right below “enjoy Ledward’s awesome music”! Wow.

And in case you missed the comment posted yesterday in response to the hints of Advertiser staffers taking the company buyout offer, a reader asked: “so could employees like Ken retire early then go work for the bulletin or is there some clause not to work for the competition?”

I don’t know the answer. Perhaps someone else can clarify.