A number of Native Hawaiian families on Molokai will be moving into their own homes over the next couple of years. And they’ll be doing it thanks to a grant received by Molokai Habitat for Humanity. Catherine Cluett reports from The Molokai Dispatch. 

A dock strike in Hong Kong is stretching into its second month. It’s a dramatic story that pits one of the world’s richest men against hundreds of workers. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The distinctive voice of the band Yes, Jon Anderson, has been a solo artist for several years following a less-than-friendly split with the group. He recently performed an Asia Pacific tour and during it, spoke with HPR’s Dave Lawrence for an interview being featured this afternoon on All Things Considered. In our feature, he explains how the last time he was in the islands, he even did some spontaneous collaborating, right on the beach.

Hear more of the conversation with Jon Anderson below. Also check out some of his music.

The Royal Hawaiian Band and the Hawai’i Council on the Humanities have joined forces for a tasty lunchtime program this Friday (4/26) at ‘Iolani Bandstand.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports.

This story includes a version of Kaulana Na Pua performed by the Royal Hawaiian Band with Misty Kela’i.  Hear more this Friday, April 26, at ‘Iolani Palace from noon to 1 PM (weather permitting).   Guests are welcome to bring a picnic to this free lunchtime concert.

The program, Mele Lāhui, will explore songs composed either during the time of the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom or in remembrance of it.  Special presenters–Aaron Mahi, Puakea Nogelmeier, and Martha Noyes–will illustrate the events of that time and give perspective through the eyes of the composers.  This concert of songs about Hawaiian nationalism will feature the Queen’s Prayer, Ku‘u Pua I Paoakalani, Nā Ali‘i, Ka Na‘i Aupuni, and Mele ‘Ai Pōhaku.   Stellar vocalists, Malia Ka'ai and Nina Keali'iwahamana are also featured.

A special booklet containing program notes about the pieces, written by the speakers, along with song lyrics, will be made available to audience members at no charge.

This event is free and open to the public.  Attendees are welcome to bring a picnic meal for seating on the grounds of ‘Iolani Palace.  A limited number of chairs will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.  For more information, contact Stacy Hoshino, HCH director of grants and special projects, at shoshino@hihumanities.org.

http://hihumanities.org/mele-lahui-performed-by-the-royal-hawaiian-band/

For more on the Royal Hawaiian Band:

http://www.rhb-music.com/

The Hawai'i Council for the Humanities collection, "We Go Jam", contains the essay about Kaulana Na Pua by Martha Noyes as well as many other scholarly notes and recollections about Hawai'i's music over the years.  Check the Humanities website for a copy:  http://hihumanities.org/

March turned out to be another month of growth for tourism in the state. The Hawaii Tourism Authority says overall visitor arrivals were up 7.6% compared to a year earlier, while visitor spending was up 7.8%. The number of tourists coming from Japan was also up—by a little more than four percent. And a growing trend for those Japanese visitors is a movement beyond Waikiki---searching for a more local experience. HPR’s Molly Solomon reports.

When Hawaii Island's newest highway was built, workers unearthed a number of historical artifacts. Now they'll be housed in a new Hawaiian preserve and cultural interpretive center. From Hawaii Island, HPR's Sherry Bracken tells us more.

The Honolulu City Council’s Budget Committee advanced a bill today to establish a fee for the use of County roads and highways. But as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, there are many unanswered questions that need to be addressed in the coming months.

The Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association expects another year of growth for car sales in Hawaii—forecasting a rise of 6.5% from last year. Last month, attendance was up at the auto show in Honolulu. This week, a much bigger auto show is taking place in Shanghai. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The Governor signed the Compassionate Care Bill into law yesterday, which provides female sexual assault victims access to emergency contraception upon request. The measure was the top priority for women lawmakers this session, but there are more bills they want passed in the final days before adjournment May 2nd. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports...