The Conversation

It’s Friday, May 10 – From HPR2, it’s The Conversation

Can a community organizer better organize this community?

Jun Yang is three months into his job as the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing. He worked as a community organizer for a California grassroots group on affordable housing and low-income development. In 2008, Jun Yang moved to Honolulu to become the lead organizer for the Faith Action for Community Equity.

It’s Thursday, May 9 – From HPR2, it’s The Conversation

Teaching new meanings for mobile home

Teacher David Gardner, speaking with me earlier this week with an end of the year update about his choice of homelessness over debt. 

Escaping the fourth wall: a mouthy mystery talks back

It’s Wednesday, May 8 – From HPR2, it’s The Conversation

The “War To End All Wars” War Memorial war continues

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell was born in Waipahu and raised in Hilo before leaving Hawaii to study Urban Planning and Economics at Tufts University. He came home to attend the UH Law school, was Managing Partner at Ashford and Wriston and since 2002 has been in public service. How to serve a public divided over the future of the Natatorium is the issue no mayor has been able to answer in 45 years

It’s Tuesday, May 7 – From HPR2, it’s The Conversation

A visit from Jerry the Green Giant

Jerry Yudelson is often called the "Godfather of Green," He’s one of the world's first green building consultants, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design trainers - and writers about sustainable development. He advocates for the transformation of buildings and cities into more sustainable urban places, with fewer adverse impacts on the natural world...which is why he's in Honolulu this week to speak at the Build and Buy Green Conference on Friday.

It’s Monday, May 6 – From HPR2, it’s The Conversation

A highly inappropriate gift for Mother's Day

Peter Whiticar has been chief of the STD/AIDS Prevention Branch of DOH since 1994.  He serves on the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) Executive Committee. The organization administrates HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis healthcare, prevention, education, and supportive service programs funded by state and federal governments.

It’s Thursday, May 2 –From HPR2, it’s The Conversation

City feet meet complete streets

Dan Burden is the director of innovation and inspiration, of the Walkable and Livable Communities Institute, the organization he co-founded. He has spent the better part of 40 years advocating, teaching and designing sustainable communities. In 2008, Time magazine called him one of the six most important civic innovators in the world -and he's back in Honolulu this week for a series of community meetings.

It’s Wednesday, May 1st - From HPR2, it’s The Conversation

A more transparent shade of opaque

It’s Monday, April 29– From HPR2, it’s The Conversation.

Former inmates take door  number two.

US District Judge Leslie E. Kobayashi serves the District of Hawaii  She was an Obama nominee and from 2010-2011, she was the presiding judge of the pilot program for the District of Hawaii’s Reentry Court.  The program's team  - public defender, prosecutor, probation officer and judge - work with high-risk offenders who are reentering the community from federal prison. The goal is to  reduce recidivism, improve public safety, and help offenders lead productive and law-abiding lives.

It’s Friday, April 26 – From HPR2, it’s The Conversation.  

An NRA HRA shoot out

Harvey Gerwig is President of the Hawaii Rifle Association. It was established in 1857. Its goals are the preservation of the Second Amendment and the advancement of sports involving shooting. The HRA  is the State Affiliate of the National Rifle Association...and later today we may see which perspective - the NRAs or the HRAs - persuades  lawmakers about the necessity of SB69.

It’s Thursday, April 25 – From HPR2, it’s The Conversation

Ag to go or ag to grow food?

Ashley Lukens is the Vice President of the Hawaii Food Policy Council and a PhD candidate studying alternative food systems in the Department of Political Science at UH Manoa. She is also a Sea Grant Graduate Trainee, documenting the impact of shifting land use practices and has been following two potentially game-changing bills that could alter the balance of how Hawaii feeds itself.

It’s Wednesday, April 24 – From HPR2, it’s The Conversation

Misconduct conducts bad cops to the door

Darryl Perry is the Chief of the Kauai Police Department. He previously commanded the Juvenile Division, the Narcotics/Vice Division, and the Criminal Investigations Division, all after retiring from the Honolulu Police Department.  He was born and raised on Kauai.

Sowing sustainable seeds of hope

Legally bound: a labor saver sticks new owners with old staff

Matt DiGeronimo is the Senior Managing Director of Smith Floyd Mergers & Acquisitions. He also hosts the firm's weekly  radio show on KGU AM. HB634, the bill to compel a new owner to keep existing employees in businesses with over 100 staffers, is in conference today.

Culture clashing women report conflict

It’s Monday, April 22 – From HPR2, it’s The Conversation

An Earth Day look at the legislature

Leilei Shih is on the Executive Committees of Surfrider Foundation and Sierra Club O'ahu. She's also the Chair of Capitol Watch Hawaii, a portal into the Hawaii legislative process for  those interested in following environmental bills. Several environmental bills are still moving, including SB15 SDHD 2 is in conference this morning.

 Solar companies owned off island w/ Jeff Davis
Shop local, buy local, generate a local economy. We frequently get those messages and sometimes respond with our hearts before our heads can do a little due diligence. That can be dicey according to Jeff Davis, known to some as The Solar Guy. He’s critical of his industry and the renewable energy tax credits going to photovoltaic lease companies owned by investors outside of the state. So what’s a caring consumer to do.