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This week we took readers on a journey in Afghanistan, from forward operating base Bostick to Nari girls school in Kunar Province.

It’s so isolated there that when the 2-27 Infantry regiment arrived from Schofield Barracks in Hawaii local villagers mistook them for Russian soldiers.

The story by Mimi Wells is an eye-opening account of the challenges our troops face.

There were many other must-read stories, too. Here are 10, plus a couple of columns that I wrote about ethics and journalism that you might want to check out.

• Mission to Nari
• Hawaii in Afghanistan
• FACT CHECK — Hirono: I’m Only Candidate Who Opposed Bush Tax Cuts
• Why the Emphasis on Local Financial Support in U.S. Senate Race?
• Hawaii Lawmakers Aim to Dilute Gift Rules — Again
• Hawaii Land Development Corp Still Controversial
• Former State Workers Say Governor’s Office Was Warned About Alexander
• Want Solar Panels? You May Have to Pay HECO Thousands in Studies
• Profs Like Cayetano On Rail, But Not Ready To ‘Forgive and Forget’?
• Questions Raised About Abercrombie Handling of PUC Appointment

Gifts for lawmakers seems to be a perennial problem at the Legislature, with some wanting ever more and many in the public asking why. Nanea Kalani covered the issue well this week.

I threw in my two cents, Leaders or Freeloaders?, suggesting a simple solution. I also raised the question why the state should continue to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in publishing legal notices in newspapers, when that’s such an outmoded approach to reaching the most people.

Where would you say it’s easier to find information, going through a newspaper every day, or searching an online database when you feel like it?

I cast my vote, Hawaii Should Publish Government Legal Notices On the Internet.

DISCUSSION: Thoughts on Civil Beat’s journalism this week? Let me know by commenting below.*