The world of mobile phones sometimes seems to come down to a pair of giant manufacturers. But in parts of Asia, the story goes beyond Apple versus Samsung. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

The City and County of Honolulu announced it is on track to restore roads over the next five years.  As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, road repair will be the City’s top priority.

Sculptor Mark Chai has been making sensuous furniture and light sculptures for years, mining an inexhaustible source of high quality materials at his disposal.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa spoke with him about new works in a group show called, “Interior”, at Gallery ‘Iolani.

“Interior”, a show of comfortable spaces, continues at Windward Community College’s Gallery ‘Iolani through May 3^rd.  Eight artists offer installations, including  Mary Mitsuda, Sally Lundburg, and Keiko Hatano. 

http://markchaiarts.com/

"Interior": March 15 – May 3, 2013

 Gallery 'Iolani hours:  1–8 p.m. Monday & Tuesday

                         1–5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday (closed Saturdays)

Gallery ‘Iolani presents a group show of eight installation artists that define the concept of a “comfort space,” either tangibly or intangibly. Participating artists are Mark Chai, Maura Fujihira, Deanna Itano, Kamaile Puaoi, Keiko Hatano, Mary Mitsuda, Chusak Majarone and Sally Lundburg. Within the gallery, separate interior spaces designed by individual artists—along with artist collaborations—include handmade furniture and lighting as personal works of art; a few commercial items are incorporated to create an unexpected transformation within artist-designed comfort spaces.

http://www.hawaii.edu/news/article.php?aId=5602

The Honolulu Museum’s Art After Dark Party, "Plant One", happens April 26^th.   For more on Art After Dark:

http://honolulumuseum.org/events/art_after_dark

Some people may think of Japan as the land of sushi. But new research shows that the desire to cook fish played a big role in another Japanese tradition. HPR’s Bill Dorman explains in today’s Asia Minute.

A Chinese fishing vessel has run aground on a protected coral reef off the Philippines. It’s the same spot where a U.S. Navy ship ran aground earlier this year. HPR’s Bill Dorman has more in today’s Asia Minute.

We have the new moon, Jupiter high in the west, and there’s a new local connection to the planet Mercury among highlights this week as HPR’s Dave Lawrence speaks with Shawn Laatch from the Imiloa Astronomy Center for our Stargazer report.

Government workers who deal with documents sometimes come across cases of mistaken identity. But a recent situation in China takes the concept to a new level. HPR’s Bill Dorman explains in today’s Asia Minute.

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.

The East West Center is offering a rare chance for Hawai’i audiences to experience authentic music from Afghanistan.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa offers a taste of what is in store this weekend from “Voices of Afghanistan".

The East-West Center Arts Program Presents:

Voices of Afghanistan featuring

 Ustad Farida Mahwash, vocals

Homayoun Sakhi, rubâb, vocals

and the

Sakhi Ensemble

Sat. April 6, 8:00 p.m. &

Sun. April 7, 4:00 p.m.

Imin Center-Jefferson Hall

1777 East-West Rd. (opposite UHM Kennedy Theatre)

Tickets: Gen admission, $25; seniors & military, $20; students, $15

Toll free:  1-800-838-3006

ewcarts.brownpapertickets.com