polio

Oʻahu infestations of little fire ants are on the upswing; Department of Education official optimistic about future initiatives; Big Island resident opens up about living with 'post-polio syndrome'; and a combat medical officer talks about life defined by Vietnam War experience

During the pandemic, we heard from Big Island resident Robert "Bobby" Camara. He contracted polio before his fourth birthday and lost the use of one of his arms. The 72-year-old was recently diagnosed with “post-polio syndrome,” a condition marked by muscle loss and other disabling symptoms.

Susan Au Doyle says growing up as a polio survivor gave her the empathy to thrive as a nonprofit executive. She spoke to The Conversation about surviving polio.

The head of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association provides an update on the 2022 crop and lawsuit settlement; Kauaʻi Police Department shares its thoughts on concealed and open carry firearms in Hawaiʻi; a retired nonprofit executive shares her story about living life with polio; Three photographers featured in a new exhibit share the origins of their pieces and passion for photography.

Following The Conversation's interview with polio survivor Leigh Wai Doo, a Big Island listener reached out to share his experience.

When Queen Elizabeth II and her son Prince Charles visited Hawaiʻi in 1963, then-Gov. John A. Burns and first lady Beatrice Burns greeted the royals. The Conversation talked with local broadcaster Emme Tomimbang Burns — who was married to their son, the late Hawaiʻi Intermediate Court of Appeals Chief Justice James “Jim” Burns.

HPR's Ian Capps reflects on his memories of Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II; Local broadcaster Emme Tomimbang shares the life of polio survivor and former Hawaiʻi First Lady Beatrice Burns; NOAA discusses the risk of Hawaiʻi marine life contracting avian flu; and the leaders of a Polynesian agroforestry pilot project on the Big Island talk about akamai agriculture

Hawaiʻi's polio immunization rate sits at 88%, below the national average. Ronald Balajadia, immunization program manager for the state Department of Health, says officials are focusing on how to amp up the state's protection.

Honolulu businessman and philanthropist John Henry Felix, 92, knew Dr. Jonas Salk and was intimately involved in the history of the Salk Institute in San Diego. Felix talked to The Conversation about that period of history in the fight against polio.

Environmental Protection Agency official discusses Hawaiʻi's environmental issues; Enduring legacy of polio research and vaccines; Downtown Honolulu going along with the ebb and flow of change