hunterbishop.com

 While I'm back in Pahoa for the weekend after four days of jury duty in Honolulu, I'm hopelessly trying to catch up with a lot of things.

Dave Smith sent me an e-mail about the makeup of a new committee appointed by Gov. Linda Lingle to advise the Department of Land and Natural Resources "on utilizing ancient Hawaiian practices for the management of the state’s natural resources." He noted:

The only rep from the Big Isle – where 70 percent of the state's conservation lands are found – is Hugh Lovell from the UH research corp. in Kamuela.

Meanwhile, Maui County has four – count 'em, four – and Kauai two representatives on the panel.

Funny how that works.

Now while I'd love to talk about the jury experience, by court order I can't discuss it with anyone till it's over.

Taxpayers -- thank you all -- pay to fly me back to Honolulu on Wednesday for closing arguments and deliberations, which may take who knows how many more hosted meals and Ala Moana Hotel nights.

And as I bite my tongue and keep my thoughts to myself about the case, I can't help having "Twelve Angry Men" moments in my head. If you've never seen the 1957 Sidney Lumet-directed film, it's a powerful jury-room drama with some inspired performances from a cast led by Henry Fonda and Lee J. Cobb. I always recommend it.

If I get a few other necessary chores out of the way soon, I be back here tomorrow. A hui hou.