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HPR-Produced Talk Shows
Every month The Conversation takes an in-depth look at a specific issue or trend going on in Hawaii. Topics like job automation, disaster preparedness, and invasive species are just some of the eclectic mix of subjects that will be explored by The Conversation team while speaking with experts from around Hawaii and beyond.

Local Effects of the Government Shutdown

American Federation of Government Employees
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Flickr

In December of 2018, a dispuite between President Trump and congressional Democrats over funding for a wall on the southern border led to the longest federal government shutdown in American history. 800,000 federal workers across the country were furloughed or forced to work without pay. This series explores how the shutdown impacted institutions, programs, and people in Hawaii. 

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Credit DHS / Flickr
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Flickr

Local Federal Workers Struggle with Financial Uncertainty

800,000 federal workers around the country are about to miss a paycheck as the partial government shutdown prepares to enter its fourth week. Many are in positions vital to public safety and national security, and have been forced to work without pay. With no end in sight, local workers are nearing the end of their financial resources. 

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Credit Courtesy of Coast Guard District 14
Honolulu-based Coast Guard members train with the Honolulu Police Department on ship search operations.

Coast Guard Continues Public Safety Missions Despite Missing Paychecks

On Tuesday, Members of the U.S. Coast Guard will miss their first paycheck since the partial federal shutdown began in December. Uniformed service members and essential civilians are still on duty performing missions vital to public safety and national security. But this isn't the first time the Coast Guard has been through this challenge. 

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Credit Wikimedia Commons

Non-Profits Contribute Funds, Staff to Keep Pearl Harbor Open During Shutdown

The Interior Department is one of 9 cabinet departments affected by the partial government shutdown. As a result, national parks around the country are clsoed or operating with reduced services. But that is not the case at the Pearl Harbor memorial, where a coalition of donors are providing funds and manpower to keep the park open.

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Credit Pixnio

Shutdown Could Lead to More Expensove Plane Tickets

The 27-day old partial shutdownof the federal government may soon hit the wallets of Americans who are not federal workers. The Federal Aviation Adiministration is one of the agencies operating without funding. That means the thousands of FAA air traffic controllers who manage U.S. airspace are working without pay. If they start to retire, quit, or take leave in large numbers consumers will likely see higher prices and flight delays.

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Credit Customs and Border Protection / Flickr
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Flickr
A CBP agriculture specialist inspects produce imports at the land port in El Paso, Texas.

The effort to control non-native species in Hawaii was dealt a significant setback by the 35-day partial shutdown of the federal government. Inspectors at ports of entry remained on duty, but research and mitigation efforts into previously established invasive species saw major reductions in available resources.

biosecurity_and_invasive_species.mp3

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HPR-Produced Talk Shows government shutdownhpr newsfederal government
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