Politics

The prices for residential dwellings on O’ahu are on the verge of another explosion… even though construction of new housing is scheduled to come on-line in a few years.  That’s the conclusion of a Hawai’i Venture Capital Association and Think Tech panel today.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports …   

Hurricane Awareness Week begins May 26th in Hawai’i on the heels of a devastating tornado in Oklahoma Monday that killed 24 and destroyed at least 13-thousand homes.   But as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports … forecasters are predicting a somewhat mild 2013 hurricane season for Hawai’i… 

Republican candidates in Hawaii garnered less than one third of the total votes cast in 2012. With less than 18 months remaining before the 2014 General Elections, GOP officials are trying to expand their voter base to make a better showing in future elections. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Administrators and representatives for Public Employee Retirement systems nationwide are in Hawai’i this week for their annual 4-day conference.   And, like so many other gatherings here,  conducting a business conference in Hawaii has come under fire once again in some mainland states.    But, as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, the Governor was on point and in attack-mode today.  

The Honolulu City Council is urging the State to exempt certain residential properties over 50 years old from being classified as being historic structures.   But the State says the law is the law and all properties will have to follow stringent guidelines. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The legislature passed a bill last month to provide landlords with more options for renting to people with pets. The measure was a joint effort by animal protection advocates and property rental agents. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

A Honolulu City and County plan calls for taxpayers to pay for rental apartments to provide the chronically homeless on

O’ahu with housing before treatment.  Will it work?   As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports … some of the homeless say they are happy and content living where they are …

Envision Hawai’i hosts a monthly First Tuesday get-together to enable its members to connect and share ideas to bring about positive change. As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, the social entrepreneurs received a message about the importance of living your values.

State lawmakers will be considering a full docket of appropriation-related bills tomorrow …just days before adjournment on May 2nd.   One of those funding measures has to do with a long-range project to enable the state to become a center of space exploration.    HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports …

According to the State Legislative Reference Bureau … Hawai’i imports more than 65 percent of its vegetables and fruits … and is reliant on out-of-state sources for much of what it consumes.   But…as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports … some Agriculture Officials say local food production can be increased without growing more crops or using more agricultural lands …

The Governor signed the Compassionate Care Bill into law yesterday … which provides female sexual assault victims access to emergency contraception upon request.  The measure was the top priority for women lawmakers this session… but there are more bills they want passed in the final days before adjournment May 2nd.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports …

More than one billion people in 192 countries were expected to participate in Earth Day activities today… marking the 43rd year of focusing on environmental awareness.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka accompanied a group of hikers yesterday … who celebrate Earth Day more than once a year …

The City Administration is in the process of developing what it hopes will be a comprehensive plan to ease homelessness on O’ahu. The plan is due May 1st.  Meanwhile, as HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, UH students at the John A. Burns School of Medicine conducted a workshop to address the problem ....

  Hawai’i lawmakers will meet in conference committee soon to draft an agreement on the state’s 24 billion dollar operating budget for the next two years. Half of that money will have to come from state taxes …and a panel of lawmakers and government officials discussed fiscal policy as it relates to the 2013 legislative session. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports …

The future of growing food in Hawai’i rests on the ability of farmers to continue making a living. According to one UH study, farmers receive only 19 cents out of each dollar spent on locally grown produce and vegetables.  The rest of the money goes to packaging, marketing, refrigeration and transportation.   But one family-owned farm has revamped its strategy and business model and has branched out into new venues.   HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The Honolulu City Council will convene a special meeting tomorrow afternoon to discuss homeless housing and services on Oahu in an effort to look at solutions for this growing problem. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka accompanied a team of outreach workers who meet with the homeless on the streets year-round.