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.
State officials expect the Hawaiʻi State Hospital to finally open its new psychiatric facility in about two weeks after more than a year of delays. The $160 million facility in Kāneʻohe was finished in early 2021.
A newly constructed Hawaiʻi psychiatric facility sits empty because of problems including sloping showers and door fixtures that could be dangerous for suicidal patients.