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The Conversation: Tuesday, January 17th, 2017

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Colleen Hanabusa’s Thoughts on 115th Congress; Life On Mars; Hope for Maui’s Coral Reefs

Day of Resistance at UH: Marguerite Butler

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Marguerite Butler

Credit Wikimedia Commons
Inauguration Day, 2005. A 'Day of Resistance' has been planned for Friday in response to the inauguration of Donald Trump as President.

Some of you may not be going to work on Friday, others may choose not to buy anything. Since the November election, plans for a Day of Resistance in activity and purchases have included call outs from the American Civil Liberties Union, Planned Parenthood, the Southern Poverty Law Center, World Can’t Wait - and UH Manoa.  A resolution passed by the Faculty Senate a month ago gives their reasons why including that quote the election campaign and continuing strategies of the President-Elect were and are based on divisiveness; racism; xenophobia; the undermining of civil rights; the passive acceptance and active encouragement of such; and a willful disregard of fact and the historical and scientific record. Marguerite Butler is the chair of the Faculty Senate.

Intro Music: Hell of A Season by The Black Keys

Outro Music: Resistance by Muse

New Mars Simulation Mission Launchs on Mauna Loa: Brian Ramos

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Brian Ramos

Credit HI SEAS
University of Hawaii's HI-SEAS habitat on the slopes of Mauna Loa.

America’s upcoming mission to Mars will take it into unknown territory in a number of ways -- not least of them, as a test of human endurance.  In NASA’s words, “Astronaut crews far from Earth will rely on a social resilience and team cohesion previously untested in deep space…” In other words, they’re going to have to be able to put up with each other in close quarters in a long-duration mission that will challenge tem in ways that are all but impossible to anticipate.  But forewarned is forearmed, and that’s why the NASA research program known as HI-SEAS, for Hawai’i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation, is so important.   Brian Ramos is a member of the crew, which will be simulating Martian conditions on the north slope of Mauna Loa, and he’s with us this morning.

Intro Music: Marvin The Martian in the 3rd Dimension Theme

Outro Music: Starman by David Bowie

Civil Beat Reality Check: Legal Assistance for Condo Owners

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Chad Blair

Credit Flickr - Daniel Ramirez
Condo construction in Honolulu's Ala Moana neighborhood. Condos are the only affordable option for many owners, but often come with very expensive hidden fees.

In past legislative sessions, we’ve heard from condo owners who say they need some help dealing with their associations. This session they may get it. Civil Beat reporter Chad Blair has a reality check.

Intro Music: As the Romans Do by Theo Katzman

Outro Music: I'm A Ram by Al Green

Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa Returns to Washington

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Colleen Hanabusa

Credit Colleen Hanabusa
Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa of Hawaii's First Congressional District.

By the end of the week, Hawaii Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa will be back in Washington for the inauguration of Donald Trump. What happens after the festivities, for many, seem shrouded in uncertainty.  Some issues are clear: the Affordable Care Act will not stay in its present form, and Democrats and Republicans will likely not see eye to eye on foreign policy, defense spending or perhaps much of anything. So where does that leave Hawaii’s bluer than blue Congressional delegation?

Outro Music: Present Ghosts by DopapodDeclining Reefs Around Maui: Dr. Bob Richmond

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Bob Richmond

Credit Wikipedia
Coral death is a major problem worldwide, but there is cause for hope.

Maui’s coral reefs are under siege from any number of human impacts. Nearly a quarter of them have been lost and as such are a bellwether for the state of reefs in Hawaii and the world. Last week, the Maui Coral Reef Recovery Team met to outline ways the reef can be saved. Dr. Bob Richmond, Chair of the Maui Coral Reef Recovery Team, shares its findings and the path ahead.

Intro Music: Second Song by Assembly of Dust
Outro Music: Ride On The Train by Hollis Brown

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