IN THE LIMELIGHT

Curtain time

The Po'okela Awards were announced Monday night, and Diamond Head Theatre snagged the most awards, with 26. Manoa Valley Theatre followed with 16.

It's a good reminder to get out and support the thriving local theater scene here on Oahu.

NEW ERA

Lab School has the spirit to succeed

Help from highly informed, energetic and involved parents will be crucial as the University of Hawaii Laboratory School copes with a sea change in management. The charter school, located on the UH-Manoa campus, has coped with a lot in the past few years, including a devastating arson fire — and the dedication of the students, staff and parents has been remarkable. No doubt that same spirit will persist as leaders of the charter school of about 430 students in grades kindergarten through 12 take the reins from the UH College of Education Curriculum Research and Development Group on a host of management and administrative issues.

ALL SYSTEMS GO

Avoiding the turbulence

Hawaiian Airlines must be flying high, deservedly, for pulling down a $27.5 million second-quarter profit, easily beating analysts' estimates.

Coupled with its consistent top ranking as the nation's most on-time airline, Hawaiian seems to be doing more than a few things right.

“;This company is generating record earnings when the economy in the U.S. is in the worst recession in decades,”; said analyst Robert McAdoo, of Avondale Partners LLC. “;I think that speaks well of the company, and it's showing itself to be a survivor in difficult times and prospering in difficult times.”;

The airline — and others in the market — will need all its acumen and can-do spirit as turbulence continues from a depressed economy, sustained airfare war and rising fuel prices.