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Hawaii policymakers waded through hearing after hearing this week on important public issues: skyrocketing electric rates, tightening up lobbying rules, even what to do if Boeing goes on strike and planeloads of tourists can’t get to the islands.

But for the rest of the country, the news from Hawaii that dominated the talk shows and cable news networks? The continuing saga of a Punahou football star duped by a mythical girlfriend. And rock stars on Maui.

So, OK, we did turn up the volume on the newsroom TV when Dr. Phil interviewed Ronaiah Tuiasosopo as he confessed to making up the whole girlfriend hoax he now says he perpetrated on Manti Te’o because he was in love with him. Seriously. You really can’t make this stuff up.

And the next day we clicked the remote again in time to see CNN anchors interviewing Maui Sen. Kalani English about legislation he’s pushing that would crack down on paparazzi who stalk celebrities in Hawaii. He’s calling it The Steven Tyler Bill after the Aerosmith lead singer who lives part of the year on Maui. (Other Maui celebrity residents: Oprah Winfrey, Woody Harrelson, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson.)

Meanwhile, if you missed the more mundane coverage of issues that could deeply affect our community, here are 10 to get you through the weekend:

• Paparazzi In Hawaii? Dream On!

• Outside Funding Is Helping Keep Hawaii’s East-West Center Afloat

• Hawaii Monitor: Honor The Dying By Letting Them Go

• DC808: On The Wire — The Schatz Interview

• Hawaii Senators: Do Something To Bring Down Electric Rates Or We Will

• Troubled Waters: Budget Cuts Hamper An Unusual Ocean Research Project

• Lights! Camera! No Action! Hawaii Film Studio Still in Disrepair

• Maui’s Hopes to Turn Its Trash Into Energy Could Be Dashed by HECO

• Kuokoa Drops Bid To Take Over Hawaii Electric Utility

• FOCUS: Meet Alfred Yama Kina, The Okinawan Artist