Hawaii Matters

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou  is a listen back with past Guests and this episode includes:Dr. Kim-Anh Nguyen, President and CEO with Blood Bank of Hawaii with reminders to donate blood, when you’re healthy and able. [ original episode: June 7, 2026 ] Steven Norstrom, Information Specialist at Honolulu Board of Water Supply on ways to save money when you use updated water fixtures and appliances. [ ori...

Guest Tati Guzman ( Medicare Health Plan Specialist from HMSA ) shares the history of Medicare and how people can understand selecting health plans for themselves and loved ones. A few changes to Medicare will take effect in 2027 and the free HMSA Medicare Workshops can assist those with questions on overall parts and plans.   Kathy With a K is your host. "Hawaii Matters", a public servi...

Guest Ed Nishioka (President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Hawaii) sees the need for more rooms for families to be near their children at Oahu hospitals and talks about Day One community support. The Ronald McDonald House Hawaii provides a place for neighbor island families to stay when a seriously ill child is receiving treatment on Oahu. Their staff and volunteers work with local hospitals an...

Guest Kumi Macdonald (Executive Director at NAMI Hawaii ) shares her own experiences as a Mom, a Daughter, and advocate for understanding mental health conditions in our different communities. NAMI Hawaii has support groups for persons who may be on their newly diagnosed mental health condition journey and helps to provide a safe space to express one’s concerns, hopes, and wonderings.   The annual...

Guest Grant Itomitsu  joined Kapiolani Community College in 2003, thanks to a phone call from the Culinary Arts department at KCC  asking if he’d be interested in returning to the campus as an instructor. Since 2019, as KCC’s Culinary Arts Department Chair, he shares more on the Culinary Institute of the Pacific , the fundamentals in the kitchen, and how the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival  helps ne...

Bernie Caalim (Director of Marketing Communications at Pacific Historic Parks ) talks about the Honouli'uli National Historic Site [1943-1946] and the importance of preserving its history: "The largest incarceration site in Hawai’i that held POWs from many countries and US citizens through the duration of the war." Guest Bernie Caalim talks on the fundraising event, "Honouli&#39...

Guest Elizabeth Pickett (Co-Executive Director of Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization) shares many ways a household can help to prevent the spread of wildfires and it begins with creating a clear-from-debris five-foot perimeter surrounding your house, office building, storage unit, and garage.  Everyday intentions can help a community become more resistant to the spread of wildfires. Jason Sca...

Antonio Williams (2026 Chairperson for Move With MADD Hawaii 5K) wants our communities to choose a designated sober driver to take the wheel at every occasion. This is the message every day, in every season: do not operate a vehicle if you've had alcohol or drugs. Some prescribed medications can affect one's ability to be a safe driver, too. MADD Hawaii offers handbooks at their official s...

Guest Julie Dugan (Business Community & Outreach Manager at  Hawaii Job Corps ) has seen hundreds of young people enter the various trade skills programs and later hear how it helped individuals discover their career potential. From I.T., security, the  culinary arts and construction, their Waimanalo, Oahu and Makawao, Maui campuses offer Hawaii youth ages 16 to 24 a possible pathway to earn e...

Guest  Valerie Chang founded the Hawaii COPD Coalition to help others who couldn’t find more literature, breathing exercises, and general support for her respiratory diagnosis some 20 years ago. She describes what her life was like before learning what COPD could be for long-term living.  Guest Pamela McMillan is a recently retired respiratory therapist with over thirty years in California and Haw...

Guest Melissa Pavlicek ( Supply Chain Hawaii ; Executive Director of HHUG) talks about the way we in the Hawaiian Islands receive most of the goods like toilet paper, building materials, and even foods via shipping containers that set sail across the Pacific Ocean. We hear about the various careers that include and go beyond the water vessels and harbors, all to ensure the safety of those at vario...

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou  is a listen back with excerpts featuring past guests and this episode includes:Blood Bank of Hawaii reminds all that every day is ⁠Blood Donor Day⁠ .   ⁠Dr. Kim-Anh Nguyen⁠ [President and CEO, Blood Bank of Hawaii] talks on  ⁠the importance of becoming a blood donor ⁠ and knowing your blood type.   She reminds us of neighbors, co-workers, family, and friends – even oursel...

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou  is a listen back with excerpts featuring past guests and this episode includes:Steven Norstrom adopted better water use habits since working at the ⁠Honolulu Board of Water Supply⁠ , even contributing to their current “Water Wisdom” program.  In this episode, we ⁠ learn where Oahu’s water comes from⁠ , how it’s stored, and our island’s modern history with ⁠water safety an...

Kupuna or Seniors in Hawaii are living independently and neighbors can become an extended family alongside their ohana. Guest Dr. Christina Bell (Geriatrician at Kaiser Permanente Hawaii ) who sees patients aged 65 or better. Can you still sunbathe with sunscreen? Guest Dr. Rodd Takiguchi's (Dermatology and Dermatopathology at Kaiser Permanente Hawaii ) expertise helps to better understand how...

Constance "Connie" Mitchell began her role as Executive Director of the Institute for Human Services Hawaii [IHS Hawaii] in 2006. She and her staff, as well as volunteers, and partner agencies, help Oahu's unhoused and homeless population discover a road to bettering their current situation. There are different challenges that could lead to an individual to living outside of a house,...

The Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division or HIOSH  works with businesses, agencies, and organizations to help prevent the  first  workplace hazard or injury with informational modules and seminars throughout the year.  Guest Randal Tiu returns with more details on  HIOSH 's most asked topics, as posed to Tiu and his colleagues over the years. He also talks on their Hana Po'okela ...

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou  is a listen back with excerpts featuring past guests and this episode includes: Salmah Rizvi and the staff at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Hawaii want you to know and learn about your rights as a citizen in Hawaii and the US. She talks on ACLU of Hawaii’s work as a non-political, non-partisan organization that strives to defend the constitutional rights an...

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou  is a listen back with excerpts featuring past guests and this episode includes: Dane Lam's enthusiasm for live symphonic music is contagious, and the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra is welcoming music fans of all levels to experience, learn, and bring others to the fun. As HSO's first-ever Musical Director, he works to bring top-tier artists to lead or accompany the 80-...

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou  is a listen back with excerpts featuring past guests and this episode includes: " ⁠Vax to School Hawaii⁠ " for back-to-school... Guests Dr. Jennifer Mbuthia ( ⁠Hawaii Department of Health⁠ - ⁠Immunization Branch⁠ Physician Consultant) and Sarah Hipp ( ⁠Hawaii Department of Health⁠ - School Health Coordinator) help with ⁠guidelines as Hawaii students return to sc...

Guest Dr. Jim Barahal (President, Honolulu Marathon Association) took on the helm of this annual sporting event in 1987. It remains Hawaii's marathon, with local volunteer clubs and organizations along the route and at the finish line, as well as participating at various fitness levels and abilities. The JAL Honolulu Marathon continues its No Time Limit to the completion of the course, unique...

Guest John Bravender (Warning Coordination Meteorologist, NOAA/National Weather Service - Honolulu Forecast Office) talks on the 2026 Hurricane Season Forecast for Hawaii and the staffers based in Honolulu, Hawaii who create the weather forecasts 24/7. Host Kathy With a K spoke with John Bravender via Zoom, a few days after the official forecast was released on May 28, 2026. Learn more on current...

World Blood Donor Day  is on Saturday, June 14th and in our islands, Blood Bank of Hawaii reminds all that every day is Blood Donor Day .   Dr. Kim-Anh Nguyen [President and CEO, Blood Bank of Hawaii] talks on  the importance of becoming a blood donor and knowing your blood type.   She reminds us of neighbors, co-workers, family, and friends – even ourselves – who may one day count on the donation...

If you have your motorcycle rider's license to drive in Hawaii, congratulations! There are guidelines in effect, as recent as December 2025, that are in place to keep riders, drivers, and pedestrians safe and alert on our islands' roadways. Guests Christy Crowser (Highway Safety Specialist with the Hawaii Department of Transportation) and Brant Perry (Certified Rider Coach and Motorcycle S...

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou  is a listen back with excerpts featuring past guests and this episode includes:Guest Colin Willis is the Public Health Nutrition Coordinator for the State Department of Health. He addresses the danger of consuming too much sugar, especially sugary drinks. He instructs us where to look on the nutritional label for this specific information and the effect they have on Hawai...

Steven Norstrom adopted better water use habits since working at the Honolulu Board of Water Supply , even contributing to their current “Water Wisdom” program.  In this episode, we learn where Oahu’s water comes from , how it’s stored, and our island’s modern history with water safety and conservation.  As a Honolulu BWS Information Specialist, he details available rebates to help residents and b...