5 Questions With …

John Fink: The president of Aloha United Way tackles the needs of Hawaii residents seeking relief during the pandemic

• Dec. 25, 2020

What are your thoughts about the state’s COVID-19 rental relief program, and the problems encountered? Read more

Corey Rosenlee: The leader of Hawaii’s public school teachers union challenges Gov. Ige on furloughs, spending on education

• Dec. 18, 2020

Given the state’s projected $1.5 billion budget shortfall, is it reasonable for the governor to consider furloughs of teachers as well as other government employees? Read more

Kumi Macdonald: The head of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Hawaii helps people struggling with pandemic-related stress

• By Maureen O’Connell
• Dec. 11, 2020

What does NAMI Hawaii do? And how have restrictions/worries tied to the pandemic affected your work? Read more

Greg Payton: Mental Health Kokua brings needed services to homeless and those with behavioral health challenges

• Dec. 4, 2020

Has there been any change in the hygiene center usage since the pandemic began? Read more

Gary Maunakea-Forth: The co-founder of MA‘O Organic Farms wants sustainable food-based agriculture to grow in Hawaii

• Nov. 27, 2020

I’m still amazed that I put a seed in the ground and come back a few days later and it’s germinated into something that will feed people. The whole biological event still blows my mind. Read more

Su Shin: Hawaiian Telcom’s president keeps homebound customers connected, enabling work and study during the pandemic

• Nov. 20, 2020

Earlier this year, COVID-19 stay-at-home orders prompted a large increase in people working from home. How has Hawaiian Telcom responded to the sudden shift in demand for broadband services? Read more

Roseann Freitas: The Better Business Bureau executive wants a fair shake for both businesses and their customers

• Nov. 13, 2020

Is the risk of being scammed great now, with the pandemic? Has anything changed? Read more

Andreea Grigore: The advocate for legal vacation rentals helps businesses weather COVID-19 and other challenges

• Nov. 6, 2020

How is Hawaii’s short-term vacation rental market holding up with the coronavirus restrictions? Read more

Angela Keen: Former TV journalist helps track down quarantine scofflaws through her Kapu Breakers Facebook group

• By Maureen O’Connell
• Oct. 30, 2020

I’m a former TV news reporter. In my days at KGMB News (now Hawaii News Now), I often would dig up information for colleagues simply because I enjoyed being a super sleuth. For quarantine breakers, if a checked name comes back as someone who should be in quarantine, I then do a deep dig online. Read more

Hawaii community activist Larry Geller advocates for the vulnerable struggling with the coronavirus pandemic

• By Vicki Viotti
• Oct. 23, 2020

Larry Geller is project director of the GreenWheel Food Hub, past president and board member of the Kokua Council and secretary/treasurer for the Hawaii Coalition for Health. Read more

Sheryl Matsuoka: The executive director of the Hawaii Restaurant Association hopes to get local eateries open and thriving again

• Oct. 16, 2020

What has been the effect of the COVID-19-related Hawaii restaurant closures? Read more

Lisa Bishop: As tourism returns, the president of Friends of Hanauma Bay wants stronger safeguards for the nature reserve

• Oct. 9, 2020

What are conditions like at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, which has been shuttered since mid-March due to COVID-19 restrictions? Read more

James Koshiba: The advocate and social entrepreneur works to build sustainable and truly affordable communities

• By Asked by Vicki Viotti, Star-Advertiser
• Oct. 2, 2020

What are the housing needs right now you see resulting from COVID-19? Read more

Na‘alehu Anthony: Native Hawaiian filmmaker leads an effort to provide Hawaii residents with reliable, useful information about COVID-19

• Sept. 25, 2020

The Hawai‘i COVID Collaborative is a hui of private health care systems, businesses and nonprofits formed to address the unmet need for reliable, accurate, actionable public information. Read more

Dan O’Meara: The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii lawyer works to help tenants and their landlords survive the COVID-19 shutdown

• Sept. 18, 2020

What’s the latest on state and federal eviction protection due to COVID-19 upheaval? Read more

Ron Mizutani: COVID-19 pandemic puts pressure on Hawaii Foodbank and its president to meet a growing demand for food

• Sept. 11, 2020

How did the recent “virtual” Food Drive Day work out in terms of donations, both in-kind and cash contributions? Read more

Daniel Ross: The head of the Hawaii Nurses Association lobbies for more support for those on the front lines of COVID-19 care

• By Asked by Stephen J. Downes, Star-Advertiser
• Sept. 4, 2020

How many nurses are members of the Hawaii Nurses Association/OPEIU Local 50 and where do they work? Read more

Ed Hawkins: The city’s Office of Economic Development works to keep struggling businesses, including commercial fishermen, afloat

• Aug. 28, 2020

Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced on Thursday that $25 million will be added to the city’s Small Business Relief and Recovery Fund (SBRRF). How has the fund worked so far? Read more