The Conversation

Pedro Haro, the executive director of the American Lung Association in Hawaiʻi, shares the longstanding push to regulate the tobacco industry; Melanie Islam, American Institute of Architects — Hawaiʻi Chapter president, on efforts to fund the State Building Code Council

HPR's Ashley Mizuo talked with Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke on details of a January 2022 meeting where she received two checks amid a current investigation on an "influential lawmaker" accused of accepting $35,000; New York Times journalist Jodi Kantor on her career and what she learned along the way

Honolulu Civil Beat's Christina Jedra reports on how Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke says she may be the lawmaker mentioned in the $35,000 payment allegation; Ed Noh, executive director of the Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission, talks about the benefits and challenges of charter schools

Hawaiian Electric spokesperson Darren Pai shares the latest on power outages and preparedness during heavy winds; Hawaiian Rent-All co-owner Scott Jung talks about the company’s history of poking fun at current events via its sign overlooking Beretania Street

Professor Rudy Guevarra Jr., author of "Aloha Compadre: Latinx in Hawaiʻi," discusses the response to a hit new song by singer Bad Bunny about Hawaiʻi's history of colonization; HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol reports on how Kalaupapa on Moloka’i's north shore is facing a big change

Honolulu's Department of Customer Services is ramping up efforts to renew expiring licenses for more than 110,000 motorists; Retired cartographer Tom Patterson discusses the artistry that goes into map-making

The Friends of ʻIolani Palace historians offer a historical perspective on measles as modern U.S. cases rise; A Kaimukī High School special education teacher is helping students design and sell t-shirts to raise money for their program

Politician Shirlene Ostrov returns to head the Hawaiʻi Republican Party; Investigative journalist Lois Parshley looks into claims of censorship from one of the country's largest owners of local newspapers, including several Hawaiʻi publications

Honolulu Marathon President Dr. Jim Barahal shares the economic impact of the most recent race; Researchers Kawika Winter and Kristen Harmon discuss whether Native Hawaiians caused the extinctions of birds like the flightless ibis or moa-nalo

Today, we're spotlight people and organizations who are coming up with innovative ways to deal with marine debris.

The state has reached an agreement with FEMA to extend temporary housing assistance for Maui wildfire survivors; Palolo Boxing Club coach Joel Kim talks about the impact his job has had on the community

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke talks about a federally funded effort to boost internet connectivity across the islands; Queen's Health Systems CEO Jason Chang shares his concerns about the proposed merger between HMSA and Hawaiʻi Pacific Health

Hawaiʻi Senate President Ron Kouchi reacts to Gov. Josh Green's State of the State address; Dean Minakami, executive director of the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation, shares details on state programs to help first-time homeowners get into the housing market

Gov. Josh Green delivers his State of the State address; Oʻahu residents gathered to protest over the weekend in response to the second killing of a U.S. citizen by federal agents in Minnesota

ACLU President Deborah Archer discusses how the work of the organization has changed under the second Trump administration; Chef Jason Peel discusses his decision to close Nami Kaze at Pier 38 and his next culinary venture

HPR's Ashley Mizuo says affordability ranks among lawmakers' top priorities heading into the new legislative session; Musician and kumu hula Robert Cazimero discusses the new exhibition "Ke Kilo Lani," which highlights his work as a steward of Hawaiian cultural heritage

HPR heads to the state Capitol for opening day of the 2026 legislative session; State lawmakers plan to put forward measures regulating AI use among kids

The U.S. Supreme Court hears oral arguments today in a case challenging a 2023 Hawaiʻi law that bans firearms by default on private property; The state Legislature convenes a new session tomorrow

On today's program, we're revisiting stories about Kahoʻolawe.

Gov. Josh Green talks about immigration and rising health care premiums; Musician Clara Kim kicks off the new music series "Noise Cabinet" at Capitol Modern

A panel of immigration experts will be taking your calls on immigration in the islands. Have a question or comment for our guests? Send a note to talkback@hawaiipublicradio.org or leave a voicemail at 808-792-8217.

Tourism consultant Keith Vieira talks about the current state of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority; 2025 was deadliest year on Hawaiʻi roads in nearly two decades

Green Fee Advisory Council Chair Jeff Mikulina shares how the $100 million in anticipated revenue from the green fee may be spent; the Pā‘ia Youth and Cultural Center is trying to relocate its facilities out of the way of sea level rise

Today, our panel talks about the state's work to get rid of cesspools by 2050. Have comments or questions? Send a note to talkback@hawaiipublicradio.org or leave a voicemail at 808-792-8217.

Roger Babcock, director of the Honolulu Department of Environmental Services, explains why Oʻahu residents are in for a 6% sewer rate hike; Carlos E. Juárez with the East-West Center discusses what the political upheaval in Venezuela signals for the region