Scott Simon is one of America's most admired writers and broadcasters. He is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and is one of the hosts of NPR's morning news podcast Up First. He has reported from all fifty states, five continents, and ten wars, from El Salvador to Sarajevo to Afghanistan and Iraq. His books have chronicled character and characters, in war and peace, sports and art, tragedy and comedy.
With a background in teaching biology and performing arts, Big Island-based author and artist Erzsi Kuba Palko has shifted her love of ecology and visual storytelling from the classroom and stage to the page in a new children’s picture book with opaque watercolor paintings inspired by ʻōhiʻa trees and native species.
Architect, community leader and former HPR board member Francis Oda has died. He was a cofounder of the local design firm G70. He served on the HPR board for several years and was chair in 2021.