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This was a special week for Sen. Daniel Akaka. He celebrated his 88th birthday this week in the nation’s Capitol and gave one last push to his bill for Native Hawaiian recognition.

The retiring statesman made his namesake bill shorter and simpler in order to make it easier for the next generation to carry it through after he is gone.

Indeed, one of those hoping to help carry the torch is 31-year-old Tulsi Gabbard, candidate to represent Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District.

A new darling of the national Democratic Party, Gabbard was in Washington D.C. this week and has been aglow ever since she took the stage wearing a blue blazer and a pikake lei at the Democratic National Convention.

Closer to home, Civil Beat broke the story this week about city workers discovering the first human remains along the Honolulu rail route. It’s rough timing for the city, coming just after it asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling and allow construction to move forward.

Akaka said the unearthing of burials should be a cautionary tale to anyone building large-scale projects such as rail: “It’s a warning too to anyone that if you’re going to build any structures like that, they need to bear this in mind and deal with it before you start putting things up.”

Here are 10 more stories you won’t want to have missed:

• Plaintiff: Honolulu Rehashing Old Arguments in Rail Case

• Hawaii Reps. Awana, Carroll Fined for Campaign Spending Violations

• What Do An Imu Goat And Hawaii’s Volcano Circus Have in Common?

• School Bullies: Hawaii Gay Kids Face High Risk Of Harassment

• How Important Are Your Hawaii Trade Winds?

• Tax Review Commission: Don’t Kill the Messenger

• Could Public Land Corp’s No-Bid Contract Policy Lead To Sweetheart Deals?

• Third Party Presidential Candidates on Hawaii Ballot

• The Public File: Hirono, Lingle Each Spend $1 Million On TV Ad Time

• Federal Ruling Brings Homeless Belongings Ban Into Question