If you’re interested in technology and politics, you might want to check out the June 4 Tech Legislation Update put on by the UH Outreach College and Pacific New Media. Click that link for details and cost.

Two featured panels are planned, followed by a luncheon keynote by former Gov. Ben Cayetano.

9:00 am – THE PLAYER PANEL, followed by Q&A
Special characteristics of the 2009 Legislature

• Moderator Barbara Ankersmit – QMark Research and Polling
• Rep. Gene Ward – State House (R)
• Bob Toyofuku – Hawaii Advocates
• Neil Milner – University of Hawaii
• Rep. Angus McKelvey – State House (D)
• Jerry Burris – Honolulu Advertiser

10:30 am – THE ISSUE PANEL, followed by Q&A
Tech issues that came up in the 2009 Legislature

• Moderator Becky Ward – Ward Research
• Bill Spencer (HVCA) on Venture Capital
• Jason Lau (Talk Story Productions) on Film
• Robbie Alm (HECO) on Energy
• Rob Harris (Sierra Club) on Environment
• Alicia Maluafiti (Crop Improvement Association) on Biotech

I’ve heard some grumbling that the Star-Bulletin has been hacking away at syndicated columns, sometimes cutting them by 50%, and often running them several days late. Graphics over substance is the order of the day, for good or ill.

And did you happen to notice the Advertiser story yesterday on the DARE program (sans byline)? It read a lot like a press release. Too bad. The program needs some good reporting, since many evaluations have found it has no actual lasting effect on drug use and behavior.

This program, reportedly attended by 10,000 students, was all show.

Before yesterday’s two-hour event was over, the students were treated to videos and music and, yes, police officers with drawn weapons, motorcycles and big dogs.

Specialized Services Division officers rappelled from bleachers. Motorcycle officers rode into the arena and took down a bogus bad guy, tossing him on his stomach and ‘cuffing him. And a well-padded crook couldn’t escape the long arm of the law, or the strong jaws of a German shepherd.

What do you suppose the budget for such an extravaganza is? How many police resources are reserved for DARE? How are these funded? And what measures of program outcomes have been collected? All interesting questions for real reporting. Too bad we just got the press release, or what might as well have been a press release.

I’m still digesting a lot of material generated by this week’s City Council budget meeting regarding rail. Hopefully I’ll get back to it soon.

In the meantime, a reader who was defeated by the comment system shared this thought in an email:

Assuming we will have a rail system, the discussion should not only include elevated vs. at grade, but below grade as well. I believe that tunnels are cost prohibitive, but there may be some parts of the rail route that could be set below grade so that local streets can pass over them. A good example would be Ala Moana Blvd. & Bishop St. Many aesthetic issues could be resolved with this design, and noise is attenuated. Other systems and many highways are designed in this manner.

Did you catch the NY Times story on Sriracha Chili Sauce?

When the wind stops, early morning on the beach is quite spectacular.