i L i n d . n e t

It finally did rain overnight, a slow, steady rain that over the course of several hours gave the yard a pretty good soaking.

Derrick DePledge has a good follow-up this morning on the state’s claim of “attorney-client privilege” and “executive privilege” to justify the continued withholding of certain internal records concerning the decision to exempt the Superferry from environmental requirements. It reviews and challenges the state’s claim, and links to prior stories in the Advertiser’s continuing coverage of its records request.

While on the Superferry, here’s an interesting analysis of the Superferry as a business, which concludes:

HSF is unlikely to ever be profitable as a commercial business only. Furthermore, it is only marginally competitive moving people interisland. HSF’s most noticeable market potential is in rapid transport of vehicles interisland, quite likely at the expense of Young Brothers.

And thanks to Larry Gellery (www.disappearednews.com) for pointing out that the Hawaii State Bar Association is considering holding continuing legal education classes on the Superferry.

Larry comments:

The ferry is not exactly a classroom, it’s a passenger ship with great views of Oahu and Maui. So HSBA is really considering an ongoing boondoggle.

Oh, let’s not forget the golf on the other end. Yup, “study” on the Superferry and then golf on Maui. Tough life. This is why Mainland folks laugh at us, isn’t it? “You studied law on a ferryboat to Maui?? Did you get your law degree at a surfing school?”

He concludes:

If HSBA wants to do a proper, honest, boondoggle, cruise ships are more stable. Or they could send everyone to Vegas to study.

How about this: just hold classes in a classroom, with no distracting ocean views. I rest my case.

Well said, Larry.

A reader points to this New York Times story on “opala in the EU”, where Southern Italy (like Honolulu) has run out of places to dispose of its garbage.

An article with hints for Oahu … were anyone to listen …
Does Oahu wish to be Naples, or to be Hamburg?
Or willing to pay the price for that which we choose to be?

The Hawaii House Blog yesterday noted the death of Juliette Sagum, mother of Rep. Roland Sagum III.

In this case, her obituary suggests her influence on Rep. Sagum. According to the House Blog:

Juliette was part of the ‘ohana here at the Legislature, working for former Speakers Tadao Beppu and James Wakatsuki, as well as the Hon. Walter Heen and T.C. Yim. She retired from the Office of U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka.

That adds up to an awful lot of political connections that undoubtedly have aided Rep. Sagum. In the longer obituary which appeared in the Honolulu Advertiser over the weekend, I also learned that his aunt was my classmate at University High School. Incidentally, I was reminded that last week marked another anniversary of our high school graduation (June 5, year left unmentioned).

Here’s another bit of history. I found these photos of a Vietnam-era protest, a silent vigil held at the gate to the Jungle Training Area at Schofield Barracks on Christmas Eve in 1971. I haven’t finished going through and trying to identify people, but wanted to share the photos anyway. If you see familiar faces, please let me know and I’ll add them to the list.