General News

2017 is being dubbed the Year of Sustainable Travel by the World Tourism Organization. “Sustainability” may seem like a buzzword for an industry historically known for making a profit at the expense of the local environment, culture, or community. So what makes tourism sustainable? HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi looks at a local organization setting that standard for Hawai’i’s visitor industry.  

The number of patients registered under Hawai’i’s medical cannabis program has grown by 54 percent since 2015. That’s according to the state Department of Health. As patient demand continues to grow, so too will the demand placed on doctors and nurses tasked with serving these patients. With no courses dedicated to medical cannabis at Hawaiʻi’s medical school, a local nurse is on a mission to educate health care professionals about this emerging industry. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi has this story.

The concept of private property was introduced to Hawaiʻi with the Great Māhele of 1848. That action is often blamed for a lack of land ownership among native Hawaiians…a situation that lasts to this day. Some also say it plays a role in explaining why Native Hawaiians are statistically at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to quality of life. HPRʻs Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports on research that sheds new light on this complex history of land in Hawaiʻi.

Stolen money, falsified police reports, planted evidence – what sounds like a plot for a police drama is playing out in real life in Hawai’i. Former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha, his wife, and a handful of HPD officers were released on bond after being indicted by a federal grand jury in a public corruption case. Allegations of corruption at the HPD following a case of a stolen mailbox led to a two-year federal investigation that uncovered much more. HPR’s Ku’uwehi Hiraishi reports.

Events are being held across the state in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. While domestic abuse is often associated with physical violence, pscyhological abuse is the wound no one can see.  HPR's Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi has this story. 

Fiji gained independence from British colonial rule nearly 50 years ago, this month. For Fijians in the South Pacific and around the world, this is a day for celebration. Here in Hawai’i, celebration means partaking in the Fijian drink of choice. HPR’s Ku’uwehi Hiraishi has this story.

Studies have shown that learning a second language has multiple benefits for intelligence, memory, and concentration. But who wants to learn Spanish or Chinese? Everyone speaks that. You want a real challenge? Try a constructed language like Klingon or Dothraki. HPR’s Ku’uwehi Hiraishi delves into the world of made-up languages with a local linguist attempting to construct his own.

Mensa, that genius society, is staging a test to recruit new members here in Honolulu. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports.

Culture and commerce are often seen as forces in conflict. But here in Hawaiʻi, the culture is one of the driving forces of the state’s largest commercial sector – tourism. This week, HPR takes a closer look at tourism as part of our series - Travelling Money: Managing Hawai’i’s Tourism Future.  HPR reporter Ku’uwehi Hiraishi looks at the role of Hawaiian culture in the future of tourism.

Final oral arguments in the contested case hearing for the Thirty-Meter Telescope land use permit will be heard today in Hilo. Parties to the contested case will make their case before the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. HPR’s Ku’uwehi Hiraishi tells us what we can expect.

From hiking trails to beaches, the feeling of being overrun by visitors can be inescapable on some weekends here in Hawai’i. This week, HPR takes a closer look at tourism as part of our series - Travelling Money: Managing Hawai’i’s Tourism Future. HPR Reporter Ku’uwehi Hiraishi asks how much is too much?

Events are being held across the state this week for National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is still a taboo subject for many, and the next generation is taking action. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi has this story.

Invasive seaweeds have taken a stronghold on Hawaiʻi reefs over the last half of the 20th century, contributing to a decline in the health and productivity of once-thriving marine ecosystems. HPR's Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi visits one community that is fighting back. 

There is a national physician shortage…and Hawai‘i is not immune. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the United States could be short more than 100,000 doctors by 2030. But Hawai‘i may have a solution. HPR’s Ku’uwehi Hiraishi has this story.

Every other day in Hawai’i, someone dies of suicide. That’s according to the state Department of Health’s latest figures. While suicide at any age is cause for concern, youth suicide has its own unique challenges. HPR’s Ku’uwehi Hiraishi reports.

It’s Labor Day. For some this means a long three-day weekend. But across the United States, it’s a celebration of worker rights and the labor movement. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi takes a look at a pivotal moment in Hawai’i’s labor history and how it shapes our lives today.

It was the matchmaking event of the 2017 Hawaiʻi Agriculture Conference. More than 70 local farmers and distributors took part in the first-ever Grower-Buyer Meet-Up. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports.

There’s an ongoing court battle involving the health and future of the woman some call Hawai’i’s last princess. Apart from the legal case itself, it’s a story of royalty….and how that lineage continues to this day. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi gives us a look at the history that brought about Hawaiʻi’s princess.

The Transient Accommodation Tax or T-A-T is the buzzword of the week. At least it will be at the Hawai‘i State Capitol, where lawmakers are in special session to come up with a plan to finance the Honolulu rail project. HPR’s Ku‘uwehi Hiraishi tells us why this tax is so popular. 

The Big Island is celebrating this weekend. Hawaiʻi County will become the first county in the United States to receive a Blue Zones designation. The Blue Zones health initiative launched in East and North Hawaiʻi in 2015, and is already seeing results. HPR's Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports.

The who’s who of Hawaiʻi’s medical cannabis dispensary program will be meeting today. The Medical Cannabis Working Group has been meeting every month for the past year. This will be the first meeting since dispensaries have opened. HPR’s Ku’uwehi Hiraishi has this story.

Cultural access to military training grounds in Mākua Valley began in a court battle between the military and the native Hawaiian community. Nearly two decades later, the cultural access program has begun to foster a transformation in mutual understanding and relationship building. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports.

It has been less than two months since Biki – Honolulu’s bike sharing business launched. And now, a car sharing business is set to launch in Kaka‘ako by the end of the year. HPR’s Ku’uwehi Hiraishi has this story.

The Mahalo, Hawaiʻi sail kicks off this afternoon, and the Polynesian Voyaging Society has a lot to mahalo. For most of its 40 plus years in existence, PVS has been a small budget operation until now. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports.

One of Hawaiʻi’s oldest stories is making a new appearance on a local stage. It’s a legend that has been passed down through hula for generations, and it is now being performed in Hawaiian. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi talks with Hawaiian playwright and director Kauʻi Kaina.

The fate of Hāʻiku Stairs could soon be returning to another agency of the City and County of Honolulu. Supporters of reopening the stairs say the move is more symbolic than it is significant. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports.

Hawaiʻi’s first medical marijuana dispensary opened for business on Maui yesterday. The dispensary is one of two licensed to serve patients in Maui County. But what about patients living on Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi? HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi has this story.

Back to School. Today is the first day of the 2017 school year for tens of thousands of Hawaiʻi public school students. For many families, getting ready for going back to school has not only been a time-consuming process – but an expensive one. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports.

Roads leading to the summit of Haleakalā are once again open to the public today. Park officials say the construction convoy delivering equipment for the new Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope was successful. This follows the latest round of protests against the solar telescope under construction. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports.

Hawaiʻi will be making quite a debut this weekend at the Pacific Ink and Art Expo. Among more than 100 tattoo artists from around the world will be Hawaiian tattoo artist Keliʻi Makua. Makua has consistently represented Hawaiʻi at the expo since its inception six years ago, but this year is different. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi has more of his story.