Artists are a notoriously independent bunch.  But on Hawaii Island, there's an effort to collaborate and figure out what the economic impact to the island might be.  HPR's Sherry Bracken attended an artists' meeting at Kona's Donkey Mill Art Center to learn more.

Hawaii County's emergency medical responders have some unique challenges because of the size of the biggest island in the state and long distances to hospitals.  Hawaii Fire Department has the only combined fire-rescue-hazardous materials-medical response in the state, and they get high praise for their work.  From Hawaii Island, HPR's Sherry Bracken tells us more.

Hawaii County has more crash fatalities per capita due to impaired driving than any other county in the state.  And the problem seems to be growing.  HPR's Sherry Bracken talked with a physician who's been studying the issues.

One of the most exciting recurring events in Hawaii is the arrival of those seasonal visitors, the humpback whales.  But the large number of whales can lead to unexpected encounters with boats.  Just last week there were three.  HPR's Sherry Bracken talked to a marine mammal expert on Hawaii Island to learn more.

Hawaii Island, and the state, lost an outspoken, dedicated legislator and community member over the weekend.  HPR's Sherry Bracken tells us about this remarkable woman.