The Governor covered his major priorities yesterday during his State of the State address to the Legislature. But the largest departmental budget includes much more than what was revealed. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.
Wayne Yoshioka is an award-winning journalist who has worked in television, print and radio in Hawaiʻi. He also has been on both sides of politics as a state departmental appointee and political/government reporter. He covered Hurricane Iwa (1982) as a TV reporter; was the State Department of Defense/Civil Defense spokesperson for Hurricane Iniki (1992); and, commanded a public affairs detachment in Afghanistan (2006). He has a master's degree in Communication from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is a decorated combat veteran (Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and 22 other commendation/service medals). He resides in Honolulu.
A bill to provide universal free school meals in Hawaiʻi is once again in jeopardy at the state Legislature. The Senate Committee on Education needs to schedule a hearing for House Bill 1775 by Monday for it to move on this session.
Thousands of students in Hawaiʻi already take advantage of programs for free or discounted school meals, but access often depends on a family’s income. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.