Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum: East-West Center President launches a strategic plan for the Indo-Pacific region

• Feb. 3, 2023

The East-West Center successfully sought an increase in funding, effective this year. Does this reflect growing national appreciation? Read more

Dawn Takeuchi Apuna: The director takes aim at permitting delays and corruption

• Jan. 20, 2023

How many employees does DPP need to hire to address your staffing shortages? What about recruiting? Read more

Ken Hon: The scientist-in-charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory explains the recent eruption of Mauna Loa

• Jan. 6, 2023

Can you explain in layman’s terms how scientists determine when geological signs warrant a public watch or warning of an impending eruption? Read more

Dan Foley: Leading advocate for civil rights pushes for improving ethical conduct in the public sector

• Dec. 16, 2022

Explain your role on the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct (CISC). Read more

Kevin Nakaoka, Honolulu’s new postmaster, prepares for modernization plan

• By Stephen Downes
• Dec. 2, 2022

Kevin Nakaoka, Honolulu’s new U.S. Postal Service postmaster, prepares Oahu’s mail workers for an ambitious modernization plan. Read more

ClimbHI founder Julie Morikawa builds pathways that lead students toward their goals

• By Vicki Viotti
• Nov. 18, 2022

Founded in 2009, ClimbHI seeks to inspire students to finish high school and proceed to post-secondary education or employment by exposing them to future career paths and the steps necessary to achieve those goals. Read more

Amy Miller Marvin: Hawaii Foodbank grapples with a new problem

• By Elizabeth Kieszkowski
• Nov. 4, 2022

What services does Hawaii Foodbank provide, and what is its budget? Read more

Sheldon K. Hao: Honolulu’s fire chief sees progress in fire safety as COVID-19 wanes

• By Stephen J. Downes
• Oct. 21, 2022

Sheldon K. Hao, Honolulu’s fire chief who assumed the top job on Dec. 31, sees progress in fire safety as COVID-19 wanes Read more

Leo Asuncion Jr.: The Public Utilities Commission chair works to modernize agency while driving forward renewable-energy expansion plans

• By Vicki Viotti
• Oct. 7, 2022

What are the PUC’s principal goals in the next few years? Read more

Denise Eby Konan: The dean of UH’s College of Social Sciences takes on the mission of teaching students how to change the world

• Sept. 16, 2022

Tell us about the College of Social Sciences — what services it provides and how many students it will serve this year. Read more

Kathleen Ho: The state Health Department deputy director confronts the Navy to make it clean up Red Hill

• By Stephen Downes
• Sept. 2, 2022

Q: Are you concerned that more fuel has been spilled than has been publicly acknowledged? How much fuel is in the Red Hill tanks now? Read more

Phil Acosta: With prices rising and economic insecurity growing, the head of Aloha Harvest wants us to stop wasting food

• By Vicki Viotti
• Aug. 19, 2022

How would you describe Hawaii’s food insecurity problem? Read more

David Bissell: The CEO of Kauai Island Utility Cooperative shows how an island can have 100% renewable power

• By Elizabeth Kieszkowski
• Aug. 5, 2022

What can other islands learn from Kauai’s progress in renewable energy? Read more

Laura H. Thielen: The director of the city’s parks department discusses progress in maintaining and improving Oahu’s recreational oases

• July 15, 2022

What are the biggest challenges facing the city’s Parks and Recreation Department today? Read more

Caroline Carl: The executive director of Hawai‘i Energy helps guide the public in saving energy and adopting renewables

• July 1, 2022

How much money is generated by the public benefits fee from electric ratepayers, and how does your office use it? Read more

Sam Aiona: Palama Settlement reopens its campus as it celebrates 125 years of service to the Kalihi-Palama community

• June 17, 2022

Palama Settlement is celebrating 125 years of service to the Kalihi- Palama community and beyond. We serve more than 1,000 people through a multitude of programs, which include sports/recreation, community services, senior enrichment programs, computer education and other programs aimed to empower those in our neighborhood who have the greatest needs. Read more

Henry Gabriel: The head of the city’s recycling branch looks for new ways to help keep trash out of the landfill

• June 3, 2022

What is the status of plastic recycling? What percentage of the collected containers, if any, has a market for recycling, as opposed to being burned at H-POWER? Read more

Heather Cutter: The Hawaii Automobile Dealers Association’s new president wants to prepare the state for an electric-vehicle future

• May 20, 2022

How have issues such as the pandemic and supply- chain problems affected the price and availability of new cars in Hawaii? Read more