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Hawai’i’s annual visitor-industry conference is being expanded to the first-ever Global Tourism Summit.  About 25-hundred attendees are registered for the 3-day event. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

One of the most popular operas in the entire repertory, Tales of Hoffmann, will close Hawai‘i Opera Theatre’s 2016-17 season.  Live projections and a roster of fine voices mark this all original production, the last with Artistic Director Henry Akina at the helm.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa spoke to him about his tenure in Hawai‘i opera.

For decades, Bonnie Raitt has mixed her passion for music with philanthropy and activism. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend is continuing the tour for her 2016 release Dig In Deep with dates Friday at the MACC and Saturday at the Blaisdell Concert Hall before heading... deeper...

On Stargazer, in addition to some objects to try and spot in our dark island skies, we hear about the impacts of budget cuts at NASA as HPR All Things Considered Host Dave Lawrence speaks with Christopher Phillips.  

Simon Phillips is among the most talented drummers alive, and his resume is as impressive as his playing: The Who, Jeff Beck, Jack Bruce, Toto, Judas Priest, Joe Satriani, Frank Zappa, Al DiMeola, Peter Gabriel, Mick Jagger and Gary Moore are just some of the many names in his roster of experiences, which also includes roles as producer and engineer.

This week Helping Hand welcomes back the American Red Cross, Pacific Islands Region as part of Red Cross Month. The organization is marking their centennial in the Aloha State and urging folks to give back in a number of ways, like taking a Red Cross class to learn lifesaving skills, volunteering in a variety of projects, or making a donation. HPR All Things Considered Host Dave Lawrence speaks with CEO Coralie Matayoshi.

Master carver Kawika Eskaran has built canoes, he’s sailed and works with Polynesian navigators and directs special projects at BYU-Hawai‘i.  His sculpture at the corner of South and Ala Moana is designed to bring peace to an area with a troubled history.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports, it is also a navigational reference, for those who understand.

Steve Kimock and Friends play March 23 and 24 at the Blue Note Hawaii and March 25 at the Honoka'a People's Theatre. His resume is unusual, in that he's had the chance to perform or work with many of the heavy names associated with the Grateful Dead, including Bob Weir, Jerry Garcia, Donna Jean and Keith Godchaux, Billy Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart and Phil Lesh.

Honolulu is having an art moment.  The Honolulu Biennial is raising awareness, new construction is providing opportunities, and established businesses are realizing art’s marketing potential.  Without the benefit of traditional galleries, an alternative infrastructure has been preparing artists for this moment.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa traces how choice pieces, many representing Hawai‘i’s  stories and culture, are appearing around town.

Guitarist Earl Klugh has a significant fan base in the Aloha State; in fact, Hawaii ranks among his strongest markets for music sales.

This week Helping Hand welcomes back the Ronald McDonald House Hawaii, open 24 hours a day year-round as a temporary “home” for families that must come to Honolulu for specialized medical treatment for children. They celebrate their 30th anniversary in the islands this month, and HPR All Things Considered Host Dave Lawrence speaks with President Jerri Chong and Public Relations Manager Gene Davis of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawai‘i.

Art Biennials are big business, as you can tell by the proliferation of bi and triennials around the globe over the last twenty years.  Cities launch these high profile art extravaganzas to attract tourists, sales, and cultural cache.  The Honolulu Biennial has just opened in nine venues around town, HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports on how to make the most of it.

On this week’s Stargazer, in addition for a few items to look for in our dark island skies, we learn about a Cosmic Census conducted by one of the observatories atop Mauna Kea as HPR All Things Considered Host Dave Lawrence speaks with Christopher Phillips.

Learn more about the effort here on the Subaru Telescope's website.  

This week on Helping Hand we’re learning about the Best Buddies Hawaii first-ever Maui Block Party tomorrow at Maui Mall 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and their Best Buddies Oahu Friendship Walk Saturday March 11th 9 a.m. to noon at Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu.

Hugh Romney, named Wavy Gravy by B.B. King, was one of the stage announcers at the three major Woodstock music festivals (1969, 1994 and 1999), as well as other related events over the years.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell unveiled his 2018 budget today.  He is proposing to raise property taxes for investors and hotels, charge more for trash pickup and increase fuel and vehicle weight taxes.   He says there is no fat in the City’s budget and also took the opportunity to ask state lawmakers to fund the rail transit project.      

Legislation to tax investors and visitors to fund education advanced in the Senate today.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

State lawmakers are again considering a bill to allow clinical psychologists to prescribe medication for mentally ill patients.     HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.  

For Stargazer this week, we have some planets in our early evening skies to try and spot, plus we get some context on the recent discovery of several planets about 40 light years from Earth as HPR All Things Considered Host Dave Lawrence speaks with Christopher Phillips.    

This week Helping Hand has returning guest Helping Hands Hawaii discussing the range of ways they assist the vulnerable in the Aloha State, and sharing details about their 13th annual fundraising dinner, Thursday March 2nd at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

The State Legislature created a task force last session to provide recommendations to improve Hawai’i’s Correctional System.  They briefed lawmakers on an interim report today.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.  

Amidst the flurry of Executive Orders issued recently by President Trump, a seventy five year old Order is being re-examined.  Executive Order 9066 by President Roosevelt in 1942, banned “any or all persons” from “military areas” as determined by the Secretary of War and military commanders.  Though this order and the Japanese internment it caused have been discredited in the courts, political figures have used it recently to support new rules around immigration.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports on what is at stake.

State lawmakers were briefed on the current status of a disease that is worrying East Hawai’i Island residents.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Representatives from Hawai’i’s hospitality industry converged on the State Capitol today to brief lawmakers on their legislative priorities.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

No one person decided the rail system Honolulu is currently embarked on.  In 2008, 50.6% of voters decided to allow the construction of a steel on steel rail transit system.  There were expert panels, studies, reports, and key City Council decisions, which were shaped by input.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa talked with former Mayor Mufi Hannemann who was spearheading the rail project at the time.  It was pegged at 5.2 billion dollars.

On Stargazer this week, we hear about a pair of planets visible in the evening sky and learn about a new project the public is invited to participate in to discover a potential planet on the edge of the solar system… HPR All Things Considered Host Dave Lawrence speaks with Christopher Phillips.

Donavon Frankenreiter wraps up a current island tour with dates through Sunday at the Blue Note in Waikiki. The musician has island ties: he lives on the Garden Island, and released his first album on Jack Johnson's label, Brushfire Records, who he'll open for on the mainland this summer, including at the Hollywood Bowl.

This week on Helping Hand we’re privileged to welcome back the Hawai‘i Association of the Blind, state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. Their 50th anniversary HAB 2017 Annual State Convention is Saturday March 4th at the Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu.