The Conversation

Spike in COVID cases on Hawaii Island and Lanai; Small businesses respond to state pivot grants; Police union stifling info to public; Future of sustainable transportation; Safety net for Oahu's homeless teens

Two 2020 Nobel Prize winners. Two women with Hawaii ties. We discuss gene editing and black holes from top minds in their respective fields, Jennifer Doudna and Andrea Ghez.

Hemp & the Maui Hemp Institute; Environmental Report Card; Reality Check: Lanai Covid Cluster; Manu Minute

Queen's CEO Jill Hoggard Green; Deploying COVID saliva tests at Mauna Lani resort; Feds probe United Public Workers union; Aloha Harvest on feeding the hungry during the pandemic

Update on Honolulu's rail project; Maskne (acne caused by wearing masks) now a thing; COVID vaccine to go to health workers first under Hawaii plan; HPU President's memories with RBG

It was 30 years ago today that history was made on the Hawaiian Island of Kaho’olawe.

 That's when live fire exercises and target practice on the island officially ended. Here’s what led up to that. 

The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed in 1941, the U.S. Military used Kahoʻolawe for target practice: live-fire military exercises -ship to shore shelling, amphibious landings, gunnery practice, torpedo blasting, and bombing.

One week into Hawaii tourism's reopening; Wedding industry cautiously optimistic on industry rebound; Oahu gyms, arcades, vacation rentals could reopen soon; How the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election will be decided

Interviews with the top candidates for Hawaii's 2nd Congressional District, which covers the Neighbor Islands and Oahu outside of Honolulu; Tulsi Gabbard joins Army Reserve in California

State Check-in with Governor Ige; Reality Check: Hilo Veteran's Home Death; Nobel Prize Winner Jennifer Doudna

Funding relief for Honolulu arts and culture; Hawaii Craftsmen debut Downtown Arts Center; Honolulu Museum of Art reopens; Book and music festival tackles big issues; Addressing Hawaii's housing issues; Interview with Na Hoku Song of the Year producer

Looking ahead as Hawaii residents cast their ballots; Looking back at Hawaii's political history

Business leaders discuss rent relief; Maintaning mental health during the COVID crisis; Rail CEO still wants public private partnership; What's on Kauai's voters minds?; Local author on Hawaii as vegan paradise

Unite Here! Local 5 wants a seat at the table to discuss tourism reopening plans; U.S. Navy asks UH for help on Red Hill fuel tank; HPD chief disputes case closing data; Teaching kids about physical distancing

Nobel Prize Winner; Presidential Health Issues; Reality Check: Alaska Travel Testing Program Not Going as Planned: Black Identity in Hawaii; Keeping Ag Lands in Hawaii Affordable

Mayor Caldwell on Rail; Hawaii Farmers Union United; Reality Check: Bleak Forecast for Rental Market; Board of Water Supply

Hawaii Tourism Authority CEO on tourism reopening; Visitor Aloha Society of Hawaii's role during COVID-19; Navatek CEO showed no sympathy to workers during pandemic; State and nonprofits launch job training for emerging industries

Hawai’i Foodbank; Molokai Food Distributor; Bounty From the Sea; Western Regional Fisheries; Oahu Fishing; Hawaii Arts Alliance; Local Artist Zachary Angeles

Hawaii Adjutant General Kenneth Hara; Economist Paul Brewbaker; Reality Check: HPD Crime-Solving at Record Low; ESG Metrics

Today we throw the spotlight on fraud, waste and abuse. The state has launched a campaign urging the public to be on the alert during this time of free flowing government dollars. The money is supposed to help those most affected by this health and economic crisis, but is someone helping themselves to the funds or diverting the aid where it should not go? We look at the state ethics laws that may apply and talk about what to do if you suspect wrongdoing. Will you be protected for speaking up if you flag a problem?

Our guests today:

A roadmap to Hawaii's economic recovery; WiFi on Wheels helps students in disadvantaged communities; Will Hawaii's tourism plan work?; Connecting caregivers to seniors in need; Celebrating Queen Liliuokalani's music

  Spending CARES Money; Maui County EMS Budget Cuts; Reality Check: Possible Rail CEO Replacement; Gauging Vaccine Willingness; National Public Lands Day

 John Gotanda on Ginsburg; Hilo Veterans Center; Reality Check: Schatz Furious at Veteran Deaths; Hu Honua; Timeshare Report

Academy for Creative Media; State Film Commissioner; Kawainui Apartments; Honolulu Chamber Music Society; Honolulu Printmakers; Chef Mark Oyama

Big Island Veterans Home; Social Security; Reality Check: DOH Shakeup; Hawaii Defense Economy Website; Pandemic Personal Trainer

Rental Assistance Program; Small Business Update; Reality Check: Military Economy; Recruit Military Virtual Career Fair; Kimo West

Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami; Reality Check: Hilo Veteran Home Deaths; HPR Recruiting Efforts; Urban Forestry

Update from Maui County Mayor Mike Victorino; The latest on Maui's homeless; Rail board concerned about finances; Kokua Council files petition with Hawaii Supreme Court; Turning ulu into vodka

EPA on growing problem of imported, unregistered chemicals; Email drama on Hu Honua project; Where did COVID grants go?; Addressing youth suicide on Kauai; Hawaii Ulu Cooperative on getting crops to market