At Civil Beat, we like to say that we cover issues, not events.

But of course the two intersect. One good example this week came in Chad Blair’s articles on Hawaii lawmakers’ attendance records. Legislative sessions are clearly events. But how lawmakers treat their jobs is an issue worthy of our attention. As a watchdog news service, we want to make sure you know what’s really going on.

Another good example is Nanea Kalani’s report on the salaries of members of Hawaii’s judiciary department. We’re in and out of the courts to cover events, such as the redistricting hearings. But it’s also our job to cover issues, and an important one is whether we’re paying enough as a state to attract and keep the best people in government service.

Finally, I couldn’t let the week end without taking note of the Hawaii hyperbole of the week, Sen. Daniel Inouye’s statement that the only thing that could stop Honolulu’s rail project would be World War III. And to think, we’re only four months away from the mayoral election.

Here are 10 must-read stories from Civil Beat this week that you wouldn’t have found anywhere else. There were many more that I could have included.

• Council Support Wavers As Key Rail Vote Looms
• Who Should Lead Hawaii’s Teachers Union?
• It’s Your Money: Hawaii Owes $60,000 in Harassment Suit
• Paper or Plastic? Environmentalists Say Neither
• Hawaii State Salaries 2012: Hawaii Judiciary
• Who Has Worst Hawaii House Attendance?
• Who Has Worst Hawaii Senate Attendance?
• A Look Back: Queen Liliuokalani School Is Turning 100
• What Do Hawaii Lawmakers Have Against Ethics Code?
• Let Us Now Praise a Lone Hawaii Voice Fighting for Open Records