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.
Hawaiʻi Attorney General Anne Lopez updated lawmakers on the state's involvement in 27 ongoing lawsuits against the federal government, including cases regarding immigration, employee layoffs, and federal funding freezes and terminations.
About 10 years ago, the Hawaiʻi Department of Education was given $100 million to install air conditioning in 1,000 classrooms. A recent report by the state auditor found that the department not only fell short of its goal, but also had serious lapses in accounting for the funds.