Noted: Former Honolulu reporter Rod Antone (who reported for KHNL and the Star-Bulletin, and most recently at the Yakima Herald-Republic in Washington State), is the new deputy press secretary for Congressman Steve Pearce of New Mexico, now a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

This morning’s papers feature dueling transit polls. Both the Advertiser/KGMB and Star-Bulletin/KITV polls found strong support for the rail project. The Advertiser reports 63% in favor and 32% opposed, while the Star-Bulletin, with different poll questions, found 60% in favor and only 24% opposed.

Although there were geographical differences, with the greatest support coming from those living along the transit corridor, people in all parts of the island supported the rail proposal.

The Star-Bulletin does a better job of reporting its poll results by including the actual questions asked. The Advertiser, at least in its online edition, does not provide readers the wording of the survey questions, which can shape the poll findings.

Meanwhile, the issues raised by the confusion in candidate filings for the Manoa House seat continue remain ultimately unresolved, although officially Rep. Caldwell has withdrawn from the race and has now been replaced by a candidate selected by the Democratic Party, as provided for by state election law.

However, now there’s a related issue. Election officials have taken the position that Caldwell officially withdrew from the position by submitting notice in writing within 24 hours of the filing deadline, which was effective upon receipt on Wednesday. On the basis of that reasoning, the Party had until Saturday afternoon to select the replacement.

But if he had only given verbal notice that he was going to withdraw from the House race when he filed for the city council seat, but had not yet officially withdrawn, Republicans are questioning whether election officials erred by allowing Caldwell to essentially file to run in two races.

According to the Advertiser:

Republicans argue that if Caldwell withdrew on Tuesday the three-day time limit for filling his vacancy would have expired on Friday. If his withdrawal was recorded on Wednesday, they claim, then he would have been filed to run for both the state House and the City Council at the same time, which is not permitted.

That’s going to be a very sticky one to sort out.

Duke Bainum, who filed his nominating papers properly and on time, just has to wait it all out, although the Advertiser reports on opposition from an unidentified faction in the Democratic Party.

Several Democrats have said privately that the situation has been embarrassing for the party even if no one deliberately tried to bend the rules. The jockeying, sources said, was in reaction to Kobayashi’s late move and an attempt by some to prevent Bainum — who backed Kobayashi — from taking her council seat without a prominent opponent.

By the way, I thought the the ‘Tiser story by Derrick DePledge was more detailed and informative than the Star-Bulletin reporting on the political maneuvering.

For Sunday reading, here’s an interesting story about the fate of the Hawaii Kai, Kona Kai, Sans Souci, and other vintage motels in Wildwood, New Jersey.

Not a Kaaawa dog.

This is Ms. Fannie. She’s an elegant standard poodle who was one characteristic shy of becoming an elegant show dog. Now she’s “retired” and living in Redwood City, California.

Yesterday Fannie became the first dog that we’ve actually taken out for a walk solo, without her person. That was a different experience. Lots of stopping and starting to take in scents in strange places. And we learned that when we didn’t pick her up this morning for a repeat, she sat in her house and howled. Oh, my.