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I look at our coverage this week through the prism of this holiday weekend, when we remember the sacrifice of those who died in service of our country.

It is right that we place them in our thoughts, but it’s also important that in our deeds we try to live up to the promise of the nation for which they lost their lives.

We began the week at Civil Beat examining the 1st Congressional District special election, where there was a minor celebration over turnout that exceeded 50 percent. Doesn’t that sound strange? Don’t more people care about our community than the 54 percent who turned out to vote?

I wish that were the case. One of the reasons I’m proud to be part of Civil Beat is because the organization is committed to building a sense of involvement or connection to the community. We believe that each individual can make a difference. But that can only happen if citizens are informed.

This week we tried to fulfill our responsibility in a number of ways.

We produced articles on the special election that looked at it differently from other news organizations.

• Money reporter Noelle Chun showed the cost of the election and what the candidates paid per vote.

• Hawaii reporter Chad Blair looked ahead to what Charles Djou would be able to accomplish in coming months in his insightful Mr. Djou Goes to Washington.

• Fascinated by how closely results tracked with a poll we did on the race in early May, I went back to the data behind the poll to discern what it told us about the Democrats’ November dilemma.

To enable citizens to participate in elections, and especially to build greater participation, we need an education system that prepares future citizens. We believe education is central to our society, to opportunity.

The words of one of our members, Olin Lagon, in response to a collection of articles on high school graduation by Education reporter Katherine Poythress, stick in my mind: “Our keiki all have absolutely the same ability, just very different opportunities. And these opportunities have a monumental impact on lives.” Important words to remember on this Memorial Day weekend. The fallen did not die so some could have opportunity and others could be denied.

Elections. Education. Opportunity.

The stuff that makes our society what it is. The “stuff” we tried tried to dig into this week, and that we’ll continue to explore in coming weeks.

And now we take a few days to reflect — and remember.

Until we start again next week.