You’ve been hearing for some time now about increasing rhetoric from North Korea. The U.S. is continuing previously scheduled military exercises with South Korea. But Pentagon officials have also shifted additional forces and equipment closer to the Korean peninsula—in a very public way. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Geothermal energy companies have until the end of this month to submit bids for a project on the Big Island of Hawaii. Hawaii Electric Light Company wants to add up to 50 additional megawatts of geothermal energy. In Japan, a geothermal project is moving ahead with studies in national parks. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

So far, 2013 has been a good year for tourism in Hawaii. As we begin the second quarter of the year today, the state’s most important international market sees an improving economy. But that may not mean a sharp rise in tourists. HPR’s Bill Dorman explains why in today’s Asia Minute.

This week, North Korea has made threats against U.S. military bases—including those here in Hawaii. While the rhetoric is heated, there appears to be a simultaneous interest in a very different area familiar to this state: tourism. HPR’s Bill Dorman explains in today’s Asia Minute.

There’s still another month or so left in Hawaii’s whale-watching season. Most are humpback whales---migrating from their summer feeding grounds in Alaska to mate in the waters of Hawaii. Researchers in Australia this week report progress in tracking the habits of another kind of whale. HPR’s Bill Dorman has that story in today’s Asia Minute.