The Conversation: Fireworks safety; Sea level rise

By Catherine Cruz,

Maddie Bender

Published December 29, 2025 at 11:42 AM HST

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The destruction of a home following a deadly explosion of an illegal cache of fireworks in the Salt Lake-Aliamanu neighborhood on O‘ahu. — The destruction of a home following a deadly explosion of an illegal cache of fireworks in the Salt Lake-Aliamanu neighborhood on O‘ahu on Jan. 1, 2025.

Hawaiʻi Sen. Glenn Wakai shares concerns about accountability after last year's deadly NYE fireworks explosion
University of Hawaiʻi researchers Nori Tarui and Talal Khan say sea level is devaluing coastal properties
Carol MacLennan, author of "Sovereign Sugar: Industry and Environment in Hawaiʻi," discusses the history of Alexander & Baldwin, which is up for sale

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Catherine Cruz

Catherine Cruz is the host of The Conversation. Contact her at ccruz@hawaiipublicradio.org.

See stories by Catherine Cruz

Maddie Bender

Maddie Bender is the executive producer of The Conversation. She also provided production assistance on HPR's "This Is Our Hawaiʻi" podcast. Contact her at mbender@hawaiipublicradio.org.

See stories by Maddie Bender

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