The State Legislature adjourned its 60-day session today, following passage of a state budget and less than 10 percent of the bills that were originally introduced. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

According to the EPA, food waste is now the biggest contributor to our country’s landfills. Every year, as much as 40% of our food ends up in the trash. But, as HPR’s Molly Solomon reports, a local project is taking steps to ensure that excess produce gets to the people who need it the most.

(Credit / Give It Fresh Today)

Interested in volunteering with Give It Fresh Today? For more information on how to donate food or get involved, send an email to Vivian Best at giveitfreshtoday@gmail.com.

The International Monetary Fund is positive about the economy in a key market for Hawaii’s visitors. The IMF says the Asia Pacific region will grow by nearly six-percent this year, but there are also some cautions. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The State Legislature unanimously approved the Executive Operating and Construction Budgets today, which will drive spending for 2014 and 2015. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

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.