Political Situation in Tonga; 14th Annual "Art of Aloha"; Health Connector/Insurance Exchange Update; Kauai Chorale
Political Situation in Tonga: Dr. Michael Horowitz
In late December 2014, Tonga’s Democracy Party came to power. That was after almost a century and a half as a nation ruled by monarchy. But the transition has not been smooth. A raucous street demonstration last May by the Catholic Women’s League eventually led the government to renege on its pledge to ratify the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Later, an October petition by the former CEO of the Ministry of Education called for the dismissal of the current Minister and Acting Minister of Education. So can the Democracy Party effect the fundamental economic reforms to keep it in power in the 2018 elections? Dr. Michael Horowitz is university dean at the ‘Atenisi Institute in the Kingdom of Tonga, and at the moment a visiting Scholar at the East-West Center.
- Intro Music: Walking Away by Streetlight Manifesto
- Outro Music: Lomipeau by Hala Kuo Papa
14th Annual "Art of Aloha" at Lahaina Galleries: Lyle Sopel
Lyle Sopel is a sculptor who works with materials that are harder than steel: gemstones like jade, quartz-crystal, amethyst, lapis lazuli, rubies, sapphires and diamonds. He’s fascinated with the shapes and contours of nature, and his work will on display at Lahaina Galleries
- Intro Music: Mercy by 10 Ft. Ganja Plant
- Outro Music: Bell Star by 10 Ft. Ganja Plant
Health Connector/Insurance Exchange Update: Angus McKelvey
The last time we talked about the Hawaii Health Connector, the Connector was devolving as a portal to access insurance. And yet there are bills that squarely brings the Hawaii Health Connector back to mind back in. There’s one that’s going to be heard later today, HB726. It would require health insurers with a greater than 20 percent share of the State's small group health insurance market to offer gold and silver level health plans to participate in the individual market of the Hawaii Health Connector, which could be a little confusing. We called Representative Angus McKelvey to get the status of exactly where we are now with the Hawaii Health Connector, which starts with some housekeeping.
- Intro Music: Wait For the Spring by Liza Carbe
- Outro Music: The Answer by The Black Seeds
You can get a lot out of singing with a community choir, and many who have been hesitant about their vocal abilities have found new confidence as part of a chorus. That’s how it has been for more than fifty years at the Kauai Chorale, which is recruiting new members this month for its spring concerts.
- Intro Music: Groovin’ by Black Square
- Outro Music: Sleep by Eric Whitacre
