Hawaii Matters

The March of Dimes is one of the oldest charities in the United States. And yet, today few know what MOD is all about. Candice Fajardo, the Exec. Dir of the Hawaii chapter, wants to change that. The March of Dimes is all about educating mothers and fathers during their child-rearing years from pregnancy to post-partum. And making sure parents have access to resources and proper healthcare for thei...

When an emergency hits, how we respond is crucial to survival. James Barros is the administrator for HI-EMA, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. He tells us what he would like to see from Hawaii's citizens and responders. It's something HI-EMA calls "a kakou effort." We'll also hear how the Maui wildfires and other situations have impacted Hawaii's emergency response. Kathy With a K is your ho...

We've got two segments for you this week. Kathy With a K talks to Tati Guzman from HMSA. She's back with a review of Medicare during the open enrollment period. And in the second half of the show, we replay an excerpt from our show on homelessness. Michael T talks to Connie Mitchell from IHS (Insitute for Human Services).

Whether you know it or not, OMPO affects your life. OMPO is the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. In today's episode, we learn what OMPO is, what it does, and how they do it. It all has to do with transportation and traffic and all the related areas (there are more than you think). Michael T is your host.

Meet Don Mangiarelli. He runs the IT security firm, Cyber Security Hawaii. Don tells us about the perils that lurk when it comes to electronic information. It's a nasty world with the bad guys scouring the web trying to steal your vital, private information. According to Mangiarelli, your information probably already has been stolen. And if it hasn't, it will be. He tells us what we can do to prot...

We tackle two subjects today with the help of Dr. Stefanie Park. She's VP and Chief Medical Officer at HMSA (Hawaii Medical Service Association). Baby Boomers are the second largest segment of the US population. Caring for our elderly is a major health concern. What are those concerns and what can our kupuna and their families do to keep them healthy? Dr. Park also helps us understand the importan...

Let's talk about money. Specifically, personal finance-saving, spending, debt, budgets, and more. Today our guest is Bryan Yucoco. He's a Financial Wellness Manager at Hawaii USA FCU. Bryan has a passion for educating people about their finances. We'll also hear about Hawaii USA's efforts to educate Hawaii's youth about the basics of money management. Michael T is your host.

The state of Hawaii's Dept. of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) is a massive organization that few people are knowledgable about. In today's episode of Hawaii Matters, we talk to the top two at DBEDT to find out what they do and how they help Hawaii's businesses and industries. Our guests are James Tokioka (Director) and Dane Wicker (Deputy Director). In addition to the basics o...

The Pacific Ocean is home to many, humans and marine life too. Today we talk to Devon Stapleton from the Hawaii State Dept. of Land and Natural Resources. She's a specialist in endangered marine species. Devon tells us why caring for these animals is important and what we should do when we encounter them. Some of the marine life she highlights are false killer whales, sharks, seals, rays, and more...

Medicare is one of the most confusing topics for anyone, especially our seniors who need to consider it as they turn 65. Today, to help explain the ins and outs of Medicare, we talk to Tati Guzman from HMSA. She goes into detail about the different parts (A, B, C, and D), who needs what, who's eligible for Medicare, and how to make good decisions. Michael T is your host.

What is Medicaid? Who is it for? Do I qualify? How can it help me? So many questions. Health care can be confusing. Today, we tackle one aspect of health care-Medicaid. To help us navigate the ins and outs, we've invited Jerome Janicek and Kashmira Reid from AlohaCare to answer our questions and help us understand the basics. Michael T is your host.

The Institute for Human Services (IHS) is one of the state's larger relief organizations trying to lend a hand with Hawaii's homeless situation. In this episode, Michael T chats with IHS Executive Director Connie Mitchell. They discuss the history of IHS, the different causes and contributors to homelessness in Hawaii, and the multifaceted approach IHS uses to help the homeless population.

This week Kathy With a K talks to champion bodyboarder Jeff Hubbard about the Hubb Keiki Fest, a bodyboarding competition for Hawaii's youth. He also stresses the importance of ocean safety and how the ocean is so much a part of the Hawaiian culture. The second half of the show is an excerpt from our interview with Trini Kaopuiki Clark, the President and CEO of Make A Wish Hawaii from April 20...

On today's episode, we tackle two important topics. First Michael T talks to Emily Gordon from the Dept. of Health. She reminds us to prepare for emergencies from a health and wellness perspective. Surviving in an emergency situation is more than food, water, and shelter. There are a lot more things to remember. There's medication, refrigeration, kids activities, radios, and lots more. The...

Today's guest is Elia Titiimaea. He's the Program Coordinator for the Hawaii Dept. of Health Diabetes Prevention Program. Diabetes can lead to serious health problems including kidney failure and amputation. We'll learn what diabetes is, its symptoms, how to battle it, and more. We'll also talk to Lei Jardine-Kanahele, a recent participant in the Diabetes Prevention Program. She te...

This episode of Hawaii Matters focuses on your mouth and everything in it. We welcome Dr. Diane Paloma to the mic. Dr. Paloma is a local lady who ascended to be President and CEO of Hawaii Dental Service (HDS). We talk about the history of HDS, the mission, the importance of oral health, and more. Plus we touch on some of the initiatives that the HDS Foundation is promoting. Michael T is your host...

Sports is arguably the face of the franchise when it comes to school recognition. In today's episode, we talk to Craig Angelos, the Athletic Director at the University of Hawaii. We get an overview of the state of athletics, including facilities. And we dive into one of the biggest changes in all of college athletics, the so-called NIL (name, image, and likeness) money, and how it affects Hawa...

This episode puts the spotlight on the non-profit organization, Let Grace In. They come alongside parents and families whose children have died. Let Grace In provides support, programs, coping methods, information, and more. Today we'll learn how the organization got started, the meaning behind the name, and some of the tender roads families travel during grief. Kathy With a K is your host. Click...

They're helping to bust the myth that it's difficult to succeed in business in Hawaii. Meli James and her partner and co-founder Brittney Heyd are helping Hawaii companies grow their businesses into global success stories. Their company, Mana Up, helps create a trickle-down effect that helps all of Hawaii thrive. Today's episode will show you how they do it. Michael T is your host.

Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters joins us on HM. We talk about some of the highlights of the huge $3.6B budget, the duties of the city council, affordable housing, public safety, rail, and more. Michael T is your host.

It's that time of year to start thinking about getting kids ready for the new school year. In addition to school supplies, it's important and necessary to get your children properly vaccinated. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Jennifer Mbuthia, an immunology and allergy expert with the Hawaii Dept. of Health. She covers vaccines in general, who needs to get vaccinated, and why. Devon Nekoba...

Personal technology is everywhere and our devices have become indispensable. But things do break. Jose Galeano specializes in fixing today's tech devices from phones and laptops to tablets and gaming devices, and more. What can be fixed? What should you buy new? What devices are easy and which are difficult to repair? We discuss all that and more. Devon Nekoba is your host.

IRS. Those three letters can stir fear in anyone. Hopefully not today. IRS Media Specialist Rodney Bearman answers questions about taxes and gives us advice on a number of different tax subjects. We also ask him what taxpayers can do to avoid that dreaded audit. Bearman also focuses on some of the free services the IRS offers that many don't know about. All that and more. Michael T is your hos...

University of Hawaii President David Lassner is in his final six months of leading the institution. He looks back at his entire professional career (all at UH), talks about some of his early initiatives as president, touts the value of the UH Community Colleges, and touches on the ever-changing landscape of college athletics. Devon Nekoba is your host.

In this episode, State Rep. and Speaker of the House Scott Saiki sits down with Hawaii Matters. He talks about some of the issues our state government has been dealing with. He describes the challenge of helping Maui after the fires. He also talks about the state's efforts to tackle homelessness. Devon Nekoba is your host.