For most people who live in Hawaii, dealing with vog is just another part of daily life. But for those with breathing difficulties, volcanic smog can complicate health issues. HPR's Molly Solomon reports.

(Credit Flickr / NDomer73)

For more information, check out current air conditions and vog forecasts.

The week in Asia begins with a tale of two contrasting economies. Ratings agencies weighed in on the Philippines and Indonesia last week, and came to two different conclusions. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Summer is just around the corner and thousands of parents across the state have been making plans to keep their children busy.  UH manoa is offering new programs for high schoolers and the state and counties are continuing their popular options.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports.

For more on any of their programs:

UH  http://www.outreach.hawaii.edu/summer/

DOE e-school   http://165.248.30.40/hvln/session_detail_public.jsp?docid=40

Maui County  http://www.mauicounty.gov/index.aspx?NID=589

KauaiCountyhttp://www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments/ParksRecreation/SummerPrograms/tabid/184/Default.aspx

Hawai’I County

http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Honolulu County  

www1.honolulu.gov/parks/programs

http://familyprogramshawaii.org/resources/dept-of-parks-rec-summer-fun/

Boys and Girls Clubs in Hawai’i

http://www.bgch.com/index.html

Part of Hawaii’s energy future may include natural gas. The idea is still under debate, and the outcome is far from clear. Meanwhile, natural gas deposits off the coast of Africa are drawing interest—and investment—from several Asian countries. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Air pollution in China has become an increasingly common topic, both for those who live there and for those who occasionally visit. And in recent months, it’s led a growing number of foreigners to reconsider assignments to China. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

Hawaii Island has three major acute care hospitals.  Those are facilities that can take care of patients suffering a severe injury, illness, or trauma.  Kona Community Hospital serves patients from the Ka'u District through North Kona, and has been improving its services.  HPR's Sherry Bracken gives us an update.

The Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability and Diversity is underway in Honolulu this week, and one thing they will be looking at is the connection between disabilities and prison incarceration.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa spoke with experts in the field of using culture and creativity to turn lives around.

“Healing our People, Healing Our Streets”, a dialog about alternatives to incarceration, is scheduled for the Church of the Crossroads, tomorrow, Wednesday evening, at 6pm. 

http://www.pacrim.hawaii.edu/pacriminfo/pacrim2013/specialevents/healingourpeople/

Charmaine Crockett:  808-956-7539

cccrocke@hawaii.edu

Extended version of the conversation with Manulani Aluli Meyer, Shane Edwards, Nane Alejandrez, and Felipe Hernandez:

http://www.noetanigawa.com/feature/2013/04/30/education-not-incarceratio...

We’ve got several planets to see, a meteor shower to look for and we learn about a discovery relating to Saturn’s rings… as Shawn Laatch at the Imiloa Astronomy Center speaks with HPR’s Dave Lawrence for this week’s Stargazer.

Any time a land developer in Hawaii digs below the surface, it’s necessary to complete a full archaeological inventory survey. The law insures protection and preservation of cultural and historical sites. But a bill making its way through the legislature could change the way future construction projects move forward. HPR’s Molly Solomon reports.