Hawaii Matters

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou  is a listen back with excerpts featuring past guests and this episode includes: Elizabeth Pickett, Co-Executive Director of the ⁠Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization⁠ , Elizabeth has a strong love for the ocean, and it was there that she discovered the connection of land to sea. The watersheds, the farms, the natural wildlife species, and fauna in Hawai’i could cease t...

Edie Mayeshiro, Medical Assistance Program Officer,  Hawaii Department of Human Services – Medquest Division , and her team are encouraging families to create and keep healthy habits. The Hawai’i Child Wellness Incentive Program (HCWIP) , created by the Hawai’i State Legislature, supports keiki health with an incentive card for each child who completes a well-child exam once a year.  Find out if t...

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou  is a listen back with excerpts featuring past guests and this episode includes:Molly Schmidt, CEO of the American Red Cross, Pacific Islands Region , recognizes the works of volunteerism on a grassroots level and how it can inform an individual to do more for their community. She shares the need for everyday people to brush up on their CPR certification, take a babysittin...

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou  is a listen back with excerpts featuring past guests and this episode includes: Amanda Luning, Executive Director of Hawaii FASD / Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders education and prevention   Amanda Luning was a volunteer with ⁠ Hawaii FASD ⁠ for almost a decade before becoming their ⁠Executive Director.⁠ Her work with children, young adults, and older adults has helped he...

David Sun-Miyashiro (Executive Director of HawaiiKidsCAN ) imagined how a student could benefit from a specialized menu to courses, educators, and even the school campus or classroom. As a former teacher, he understands its the cooperation of the parents, the child, and the access. Where to begin? The 2026 Hawaii K-12 Parent-School Expo is set for January 25, 2026 at Bishop Museum’s Atherton Halau...

Tati Guzman knows Medicare! As an HMSA health plan specialist and the daughter of a 92-year old (!) parent, she understands how overwhelming options and enrollment can seem at first. Tati gives an overview of what Medicare is, when to sign up, and why the dates "October 15 through December 7" are brought up annually (answer: that's Open Enrollment time for Medicare). In this conversa...

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou  is a listen back with excerpts featuring past guests and this episode includes:Randall Tiu is a HIOSH Administration and Technical Support Branch Manager . He believes the more employers understand about the overall safety of their workspace or job site leads to better morale, stronger communication, and a healthier staff.  HIOSH offers many courses that are good refreshe...

Mele Pepa Latu is the Executive Director at Aloha Harvest , Oahu’s largest food recovery organization that helps direct food surplus to partner agencies for redistribution. They work with restaurants and other eateries to ensure safe, clean, and efficient travel for each delivery, every day across our island.  This non-profit has several volunteering opportunities  that include work on local farms...

HMSA ’s Maricel Blackwell speaks with local businesses, employers who want to provide great health coverage and their employees who like options. What is a good health insurance plan? Are employees interested in fitness plan options? Too many choices can also overwhelm decision makers and  HMSA has in person/virtual chats to help clear a path for you and your unique company’s needs. Kathy With a K...

Lopaka Kapanui and his wife Tanya have continued the great tradition of the walking storytelling tour in Honolulu with "Mysteries of Hawaii" .  His mentor and late friend Glen Grant encouraged him to gather ghost stories while Tanya would later join Lopaka in deeper research on place names, family trees, and organizing timelines. One of the keys to their success is creating a space to speak on one...

Why does the price of sashimi seem to go up around New Year's Eve? Why are there limits on certain fishing areas? Our guests for "Hawaii Matters" this week are Alex Min of the Pacific Island Fisheries Group and Joshua DeMello of Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council. They talk about local fisheries, sustainability practices, and the potential impacts of an extended gove...

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou  is a listen back with excerpts featuring past guests and this episode includes: Candice Fajardo uses her personal experience as a parent and a Mom, to help local communities educate themselves and mothers-to-be on the benefits of healthy care before and after pregnancy. March of Dimes Hawaii works with local hospitals to assist with rural neighborhoods and in times of cri...

Kasey Crispin, Communications Lead with the Hawaii ‘Ulu Cooperative , shares her personal experience as a Hawaii Island farmer on the rewards and challenges of stewarding the land that focuses on breadfruit or ‘ulu, as well as other canoe crops . October is “ Farm to School Month ” in Hawaii and you or keiki you know may have enjoyed ‘ulu or breadfruit on the menu – mixed into a bread or cake mix...

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou is a listen back with excerpts featuring past guests and this episode includes: Sanoe Marfil, CEO of the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture (INPEACE) . This clip begins on their statewide meetups that are now done in person and a bit on how they've grown to service beyond Nanakuli and West Oahu ( original airing: May 25, 2025 ) Andria Tupola, Honolulu C...

Molly Schmidt , CEO of the American Red Cross, Pacific Islands Region, recognizes the works of volunteerism on a grassroots level and how it can inform an individual to do more for their community. She shares the need for everyday people to brush up on their CPR certification, take a babysitting course, and visit the Hawaii Red Cross websit e to discover what you excel at to be of service in your...

Randal Tiu sees how work sites can be better with safety protocols and proper training. When the job supervisor has the updated guidelines in place for their employees, that can help ensure each person understands their role. His current role is as a Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Technical Support Branch Manager. There are a few ways Employers can continue to build upon...

Salmah Rizvi is Executive Director and CEO of the ACLU of Hawaii . She encourages folks to know about your rights as a citizen in Hawaii and the US. Learn about the ACLU does, its Foundation, their mission, and current works with its Hawaii chapter. ACLU of Hawaii is a non-political, non-partisan organization that strives to defend the constitutional rights and free speech of its community. Salmah...

Amanda Luning was a volunteer with Hawaii FASD for almost a decade before becoming their Executive Director. Her work with children, young adults, and older adults has helped her in educating the community to reduce and eliminate alcohol and drug use when pregnant. A better way to prevention is having an understanding in what FASDs are and how to become involved on the local leve l. A frank and ca...

Hawaii's healthcare system will always have room for physicians, nurses, and volunteers. At  Kaiser Permanente Hawaii , they offer ways for those with interests in caregiving and medicine to discover which pathway best suits the individual. "Hawaii Matters" talks story with Dr. Serena Lo , Jackie Fernando, and JABSOM third-year medical student Brent Shimoda, on how their paths crosse...

Guest Wendy Hensel, President of the University of Hawaii school system , a lifelong educator, offers listeners a glimpse into “Day in the Life of the UH President”. President Hensel also covers A.I., a new Hawaii DOE partnership, UH Sports, and how the UH System plans to increase online learning systemwide. Hawaii’s Matters Hana Hou features Elizabeth Pickett, Co-Executive Director of Hawaii Wild...

annual fundraiser, MOVE WITH MADD, on Saturday, September 1, 2025 at Kaka’ako Waterfront Park . Your donation in Hawaii stays in our islands to fund services and programs for victims and families affected by drunk and drugged driving. She also shares an update on youth programs to educate and prevent underage drinking and other drug use. " Hawaii’s Matters, Hana Hou " features Jeff Hubba...

Hawaii's Habilitat residence in Kaneohe provides a two-year lifestyle adjustment for persons working through their addictions. The men and women who have entered the program have discovered responsibilities as a resident at Habilitat to be life changing. Guests George Jardeen and Jason Parrish of Habilitat speak openly on their personal experiences with the program. Becoming mentors, developin...

It's good to know where to find official information In Case of an Emergency. ..and what next? How prepared are you and your household, office, or school campus if you receive a text message saying to take shelter? Administrator James DS. Barros of Hawaii State Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) knows being prepared means a 14-day Go Kit, a plan of safety, and remaining calm. What's more: each of...

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou is a listen back with past guests and their stories. In this episode: Guest Dr. Dane Sultzer of Kahala Eye Clinic shares general eye care and stresses the importance of good overall health in connection with vision. Getting enough sleep, a proper diet, and exercise factors into maintaining good eyesight while sunglasses...they do more that just make you look good! Guest Pa...

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou is a listen back with past guests' and their stories. In this episode: Kristen Kelly of DLNR DARS (Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources) talks ways to report ocean debris and how organizations statewide work together to remove what humans have unintentionally (most of the time!) left in the waters around our island home. Gabby Gouv...