Breaking News

Editorial

Taking care of our veterans

When tragedy strikes, politicians are quick to offer “thoughts and prayers.” The sentiment — even if heartfelt and genuine — is more expedient and less risky than championing a big policy change. When it comes to taking care of veterans who’ve been exposed to toxins while serving the nation, congressional Republicans are talking big, but not acting. On March 3, the House of Representatives passed the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021, or Honoring our PACT act, an expansive bill that would ensure health care to more than 3.5 million veterans ...

Biden needs new advisers

More or less the whole world—including his own advisers on background—has criticized President Biden for his latest gaffe in saying in his Warsaw speech last month that Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power.” There’s no need to pile on. And someone should say that Mr. Biden’s unscripted remark did have the virtue of telling the truth that the problem in Russia won’t end even if Mr. Putin orders his troops out of Ukraine. Mr. Biden’s remark, even after its repudiation on Sunday by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, may well make it harder to negotiate with Mr. Putin ...

Coach K’s last hurrah

The Maui Jim Maui Invitational preseason men’s college basketball tournament may have been played on the Mainland the past two years due to the pandemic, but the island still boasts many connections to this weekend’s NCAA Final Four in New Orleans. All four head coaches have history on Maui. None more than Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, a legendary figure in the sport who is set to retire after leading the Blue Devils since 1980. Krzyzewski coached Duke to a tournament record five Maui Invitational titles in Lahaina Civic Center and is looking for his fifth NCAA crown. With berths in ...

Get Jackson confirmed

Americans who followed the four-day confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson last week were treated to a rare display of brilliance, principle and unflappability that demonstrate her fitness, to say the very least, to sit on the nation’s high court. The next step should be obvious and simple. Jackson should be confirmed without delay. The nominee was forbearing and masterful in responding to the series of non sequiturs hurled at her during long days of questioning by a handful of strutting, preening Republican senators more concerned with the coming ...

In-person voting in Congress

Most Americans have resumed something close to normal life after COVID-19, but not the U.S. House of Representatives. Many lawmakers have become accustomed to the convenience of voting in absentia, and they want to make a supposed emergency measure an accepted practice. The House has allowed Members to vote by proxy for almost two years, and the COVID-19 dispensation will expire on March 30 unless Speaker Nancy Pelosi extends it another 45 days, as she has many times. Only 101 Representatives didn’t vote by proxy at all last year— 78 Republicans and 23 Democrats, according to a ...

A market of musical chairs

Remember musical chairs? When the music stopped, you either had a seat or you didn’t. Tension built as the music got quicker and the chairs fewer. Finally, it came down to one chair and two butts. Would it be the fast, agile kid or the brute with meaty elbows who claimed the prize? We had a friend who long ago described housing on Maui as a game of musical chairs. Whether it was trying to find a decent place to rent, or to save enough for a down payment on a home, it was all too common for island folks to be caught on the outside looking in. Decades have passed and the game ...