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LFA at Kualoa Ranch; Lessons from Masdar City; Honolulu Mayoral Race; Promise of Statehood

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... into the Asia Pacific. She explored how her family musical and Quaker roots have influenced a lifetime of music and giving back with HPR All Things Considered Host Dave Lawrence . In this very special...

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. Currently he's touring with the Trio Project featuring pianist Hiromi Uehara and bassist Hadrien Feraud , at the Blue Note Hawaii through...

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. Helping Hand is a weekly feature on HPR1 stations statewide and online...

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. Steve was said to be among Jerry Garcia's favorite guitarists. He took time to explore some of his many experiences, including a...

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. During his current Blue Note Hawaii run that continues through Sunday, he and his band ( Al Turner bass/musical director, David Lee Spradley keyboards, Ron Otis drums and Tom Braxton sax/flute) return to ATC for a conversation with HPR All Things Considered Host Dave Lawrence . The topics in this fun and informative get-together included a wide range of...

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 30 th 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. Helping Hand is a weekly feature on HPR1 Friday...

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 11 th 9 a.m. to noon at Magic Island, Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu. Best Buddies is an international organization promoting inclusion for those with intellectual and development disabilities, and HPR ATC Host Dave Lawrence speaks with Sarah Man, State Director of Best Buddies Hawaii. The Best...

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. The counterculture figure also made a name for himself supporting the Seva Foundation , as well as hosting his own Camp Winnarainbow in California. But his story is rich with many other chapters and experiences, from meeting Albert Einstein as a child, to having Lenny Bruce as his manager at one...

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. “We’re looking at an operating budget of $2.45 billion dollars. Its higher than last year’s operating budget by 5.1 percent, that equates to a $118 million dollar...

Can Hawai’i solve its Affordable Housing crisis? Developers say, “Yes.” HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. There are more than 50 babies born each day in Hawai’i and many of them will need a place to live in when they grow up. Developer Christine Camp says housing prices can be stabilized if real estate speculation is kept in check. “Glut the market with rental housing. Rental housing will make it so there’s less speculation in the “for sale” housing because people are not going to buy a unit...

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.