Yes, I’m late today. We got home late last night, and then I was up early to corral cats to keep them away from the house that’s being tented for termites. I was up at 5 a.m. and went to look for Toby. Just as we feared, he came up from under the deck of that house. It’s been familiar territory for him for the past couple of years, so he’s again under house arrest while we wait to see if the tenting goes forward as re-scheduled. The first attempt was scuttled by wind on Friday. No indication yet on whether they’ll go ahead with it today. Until we know for sure, Toby’s a reluctant inside cat.

Did you see the one about the FBI’s contact with Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens in an ongoing political corruption probe? Stevens, of course, is joined at the hip with Hawaii’s Sen. Dan Inouye. This is certainly a case with potential implications for Hawaii politics, depending on how it develops.

I noticed a story in the Seattle Times indicating condo conversion of rental apartments is causing affordable housing worries in that market as well.

I was glad to see today’s story by Andrew Gomes on the safety issues of these popular bounce house inflatables like the one that went blow-about in Maili on Saturday.

Our friends recently rented one for their daughters’ birthday party. But the warning and list of rules attached permanently at the entrance caught my eye, and the contract language with its broad assignment of all liability to the renter was a clue that the dealers of these things are well aware of potential hazards.

Here’s an excerpt from the rental terms and conditions of one local company:

1. Safety/Operating Instructions: In addition to the information set forth in this agreement, customer acknowledges that there are safety and operating instructions on the equipment delivered and agrees to read those instructions and operate the equipment, or allow the equipment to be operated or used, in accordance with those instructions. Customer further acknowledges and understands that Jump 4 Joy Rentals has not agreed to nor have they provided any operators with this rented equipment, and that customer, is solely responsible for the correct and safe operation of this equipment. Customer understands that children’s safety depends upon customer providing AT ALL TIMES correct operation of and the use of the equipment, especially the Moon Bounce Unit. Customer further agrees to keep all equipment away from swimming pool(s) and customer understands and agrees that they will not operate any electrical equipment near water. By entering into this agreement, Customer acknowledges that there is a risk of injury and damage arising out of the use of this equipment. Customer voluntarily agrees to keep and maintain all safety rules for the correct, safe operation and installation and use of all equipment, and to assume any and all risk of injury or damage. In particular, customer will not permit the equipment to be operated by anyone who is not fully qualified and who has not received instruction from customer on the safe operation and use of the equipment, nor shall customer allow any person to use or operate the equipment when it is in need of repair or when it is in an unsafe condition or situation.

And, if that doesn’t have you worried, there’s the fine print regarding specific rules:

10. Specific Rules and Instructions for the Moon Bounce Unit: The following rules and warning must be obeyed in the use of the Moon Bounce unit: A) All safety and operating instructions contained on the Bounce must be complied with and followed at all times; B) For the safety of all CHILDREN, ADULT SUPERVISION IS REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES!; C) No silly string is permitted to come in contact with the inside or outside of the Moon Bounce, this causes irreparable damage to the Bounce, and Customer acknowledges that if the Bounce is damaged by “Silly String”, then a $2,000.00 fee shall be automatically imposed by Lessor and shall be immediately due and payable by Customer; D) WARNING – extra caution and supervision is required for children ages three (3) and under; E) WARNING – it is unsafe to stay in Bounce if winds exceed 15 miles per hour (MPH). Have all persons exit Bounce, then unplug the blower unit and let Bounce deflate; F) WARNING – Individuals with head, neck, back or other musculo-skeletal injuries or disabilities, pregnant women, small infants, and others who may be susceptible to injury from falls, bumps, or bouncing are not permitted in the unit at any time; G) Do not move the Moon Bounce from the locations where set-up; H) If the Moon Bounce unit moves, pull corners back to their original location (s) and re-secure; For other questions regarding the safe installation of equipment, please call our office during normal business hours; I) Do not let the Moon Bounce unit rub up against any surface.

Whew. According to those rules, evacuation and deflation of your bounce house is necessary any time we’ve got those normal 15-20 mph trade winds. With parents on the hook in the case of injuries, I’m guessing that there’s a slew of routine injuries that are just never reported. It’s amazing there haven’t been more problems.

We ended up in Waikiki late yesterday afternoon watching part of the Pan Pacific Festival parade. What a show, colors, sounds, rhythms, music, dance, and an occasional surprise, like this one.

You’ve got to click on this picture for the before & after shots.