O’ahu’s escalating 8.3 billion dollar rail transit project is in deep financial trouble. Now, lawmakers controlling the City’s budget are weighing-in. 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.
The Honolulu City Council underwent significant changes in leadership last week, leading to some optimism and uncertainty about the direction the council will go. HPR's Mark Ladao reports.
The Honolulu City Council voted to shake up its leadership team in a tense meeting that some say is good for council operations, but others are convinced is “political retaliation.” The circumstances around the proposed reorganization did lead to concerns from the public, including several who said it was a response to the council's recent sewer fee vote.