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 law enforcement officers are now present around the clock at the abandoned Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel. The state owns the run-down hotel, which has attracted or enabled trespassing, drug use and other illegal activities.
Gov. Josh Green has made several changes in the latest version of his emergency proclamation on housing. The changes now exclude the area affected by the Lāhainā wildfire, restore cultural and environmental protections, and reinstate open meetings through the Sunshine Law.