94.7 KUMU - KUMU Kokua

Stacey Aldrich is the Hawaii State Librarian who oversees the fifty-one libraries across our major Hawaiian Islands and is a fan of those who love to read or are returning to the joy of reading. She's our Guest for this episode of "Hawaii Matters" with Host Kathy With a K.The Hawaii State Libraries are celebrating all with "Mele", the theme for their "E Heluhelu Kākou: Let's Read!" summer reading program. They also have a new look for their Library Card, if you're ready to update your existing account or want to officially sign up for your own.The summer reading program is June 1-July 31, 2025 and you can find more information at their official site.Thank you, Stacey, for the talk story!To connect with the Hawaii State Library, visit their official site: librarieshawaii.orgFollow on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTubeFor "Hawaii Matters" inquiries, email: kathywithak@1059thewavefm.com(Original airdate: June 8, 2025)

Lovelle Koike, Supervisor of the Whistleblower Protections Unit of HIOSH, Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health, is our guest for "Hawaii Matters", hosted by Kathy With a K.Lovelle shares her story about how she found her calling at the Hawaii State Occupational Safety and Health and specifically with the HIOSH Whistleblower Protections Unit. She explains what they do and just how crucial their division is for employees and employers alike.Thank you, Lovelle Koike, for your insights!

Host Kathy With a K  sits with "Hawaii Matters" Guest Sanoe Marfil, CEO of The Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture (INPEACE).Sanoe Marfil shares her rise from joining a class at INPEACE to becoming their CEO, the variety of programs they offer designed for young Native Hawaiian children and their parents as well as adults looking for an entrepreneurship program in West Oahu, and what's next as they celebrate 31 years in West Oahu and across the islands.HAWAII MATTERS airs on Sunday mornings at 6:30a.m. HST on all Oahu-based Pacific Media Group radio stations: KDDB-FM 102.7 Da BombKUMU-FM 94.7 KUMUKPOI-FM 105.9 The Wave KQMQ–FM HI93 93.1FMComments or Questions, please email: Kathy With a K

It's a tender subject no one wants to experience. But it happens. Sometimes, children get very sick. Some are terminal. Organizations like Navian Hawaii are here to help the patient navigate the rough waters of a life-threatening diagnosis. Joining us is the head of pediatrics for Navian, Joline Murillo. She'll tell us all about Navian, palliative care, hospice care, the needs here in Hawaii, and more.

In this episode, we talk to Leo Rodas, the Director of Hope Center Hawaii. It's the local affiliate of the worldwide organization helping people break free from addictive behavior. We'll hear how Hope Center works, the prevalence of substance addiction in Hawaii, methods, and their success rate.

Hawaii Congressman Ed Case joins us this week to talk about the first few months of the Trump administration, DOGE, the federal budget, Case and the SAVE Act, politics, and more. Michael T is your host.

The number of people who go hungry in Hawaii is staggering. Across our state, one in 10 is affected. The Hawaii Food Bank exists to help feed Hawaii's hungry. It doesn't matter who you are or what your situation is. If you're struggling to put food on the table, Hawaii Food Bank can help. Today, HFB President and CEO Amy Miller sits down with us to tell us how the Food Bank works, who is affected, how we can help, and lots more. Michael T is your host.

The fishing industry is a vital part of Hawaii's lifestyle. Some people fish because it's their job. Some, to put food on the table. Some, because it's an outdoor activity they enjoy. Thousands enjoy it. Even more benefit from it. The fishing industry wants everyone involved in fishing to be educated, informed, and aware. Helping to spread the word are Gil Kualii from Western Pacific Fishery Management Council and Alex Min from the Pacific Islands Fisheries Group. Michael T is your host.

We like to keep tabs on the Hawaii real estate market, if for nothing else, just to stay aware of market developments. Today's episode features Celester Thomas from Soldier to Soldier Realty. We'll hear about the name, challenges in Hawaii real estate, and one of his secret strategies to buying a home in Hawaii. We also talk to Sherrie Xiao from High Five Lending. She gets into the basics of securing a mortgage and she'll also tell us why HOA fees have skyrocketed recently. Michael T is your host.

Chances are, you have no idea what DAGS is. It's a department in the state government. DAGS stands for the Department of Accounting and General Services. DAGS is responsible for a wide range of areas from accounting to archives, construction to technology, elections to 9-1-1. Many more divisions and agencies come under the DAGS umbrella. We'll learn about a few of the things going on as we chat with the Director of DAGS, Keith Regan. Michael T is your host.

For more than 100 years, the American Red Cross Hawaii division has helped local people survive the aftermath of disasters. Today we talk to Matthew Wells, the Communications Director for the Pacific Region. We learn a little about the history of the Red Cross, what they do, why they do it, their response after the Maui fires, and more. Michael T is your host.

It's the biggest sporting event in Hawaii. It's responsible for driving more state tax revenue than the Pro Bowl ever did. It's the 4th largest of its kind in the US. People come from all over the world to do it and outnumber local participants. We're talking about the Honolulu Marathon. This episode features Dr. Jim Barahal, the President and CEO of the marathon. He's been at the helm for nearly 40 years and sees no signs of stopping. We talk about running in general, the boom in the sport, what the marathon means to Hawaii, and more. Michael T is your host.

Congressional representatives have a unique perspective on their home state. In this episode, we talk to Hawaii Congresswoman Jill Tokuda. We touch on the Maui fires, FEMA, her outlook on the changes the Trump administration is instituting, battling the high cost of living, and more. Michael T is your host.

So many people in Hawaii need a little bit of help. Organizations like Goodwill Hawaii offer that help in a myriad of ways. In this episode, we talk to Goodwill Hawaii's Pres. & CEO, Katy Chen. She highlights the five main program areas the organization offers. Michael T is your host.

Here in Hawaii, thousands of school-aged children have nowhere to go when the school bell rings at the end of the day. Where do they go? What do they do? After School All-Stars runs after-school programs in a handful of Hawaii middle schools to bridge that gap between school and home. It isn't only child care. ASAS teaches and nurtures middle schoolers at qualifying schools. The kids are learning and growing where they ordinarily may not have. In this episode, we sit down with the CEO of After School All-Stars Hawaii, Paula Fitzell. She details the types of things ASAS teaches in their program, how many kids are in the program, and the success they're having. Kathy With a K is your host.

It's tax season. That's a great time to review information about filing your taxes. In today's episode, we talk to Raphael Tulino, a media specialist with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You'll hear about what's new in 2025 for the 2024 tax year, big mistakes taxpayers make, deductions you may have missed, filing deadlines, and more. Michael T is your host.

For some people, the end of life can be a journey that needs to be navigated gently. Hospice care might be the answer. We talk to Joyce Bunyan from Islands Hospice about what hospice is, some of the myths, and some of the more nuanced aspects of this level of care. Kathy With a K is your host. We also revisit our conversation with Meli James from Mana Up, the local business accelerator that helps Hawaii businesses scale up to be global brands. In this Hawaii Matters Extra, Meli talks about the challenges that local entrepreneurs face and the mindset they need to succeed. Michael T is your host for this segment.

In this episode of Hawaii Matters, we talk to Kristen Kelly from the Aquatics division of the DLNR (Dept of Land and Natural Resources). She tells us about the problem of debris in our Hawaii waters and on our beaches. And she tells us what happens to some of the debris after it's collected. Kathy With a K is your host.

Last time we talked to our real estate expert Maila Gibson-Bandmann it was about selling your home. In this episode, we talk about buying a home in Hawaii. Yes, it can be done. We talk about financing, location, and keeping the dream of living in Hawaii alive. Michael T is your host.

Thousands of Hawaii residents moved to the mainland in 2024. Roughly 4,400 moved to Las Vegas. Moving away might mean selling your home. What are the important factors to be aware of when selling a home in Hawaii? Maila Gibson-Bandmann is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty in Hawaii. She's got the answers. This is part one of two episodes on real estate in Hawaii. Look for part two soon. Michael T is your host.

In this episode, we talk to local optometrist Dr. Dane Sultzer from Kahala Eye Clinic. It's all things eyes and eye health, how to care for your eyes, the importance of proper eyewear, problems with the eyes, surgery techniques, and more. Kathy With a K is your host.

The March of Dimes is one of the oldest charities in the United States. And yet, today few know what MOD is all about. Candice Fajardo, the Exec. Dir of the Hawaii chapter, wants to change that. The March of Dimes is all about educating mothers and fathers during their child-rearing years from pregnancy to post-partum. And making sure parents have access to resources and proper healthcare for their children. Kathy With a K is your host.

When an emergency hits, how we respond is crucial to survival. James Barros is the administrator for HI-EMA, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. He tells us what he would like to see from Hawaii's citizens and responders. It's something HI-EMA calls "a kakou effort." We'll also hear how the Maui wildfires and other situations have impacted Hawaii's emergency response. Kathy With a K is your host.

We've got two segments for you this week. Kathy With a K talks to Tati Guzman from HMSA. She's back with a review of Medicare during the open enrollment period. And in the second half of the show, we replay an excerpt from our show on homelessness. Michael T talks to Connie Mitchell from IHS (Insitute for Human Services).

Whether you know it or not, OMPO affects your life. OMPO is the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. In today's episode, we learn what OMPO is, what it does, and how they do it. It all has to do with transportation and traffic and all the related areas (there are more than you think). Michael T is your host.

Meet Don Mangiarelli. He runs the IT security firm, Cyber Security Hawaii. Don tells us about the perils that lurk when it comes to electronic information. It's a nasty world with the bad guys scouring the web trying to steal your vital, private information. According to Mangiarelli, your information probably already has been stolen. And if it hasn't, it will be. He tells us what we can do to protect our online info. Michael T is your host.

We tackle two subjects today with the help of Dr. Stefanie Park. She's VP and Chief Medical Officer at HMSA (Hawaii Medical Service Association). Baby Boomers are the second largest segment of the US population. Caring for our elderly is a major health concern. What are those concerns and what can our kupuna and their families do to keep them healthy? Dr. Park also helps us understand the importance of dental hygiene and how it's directly related to a person's overall health. Michael T is your host.

Let's talk about money. Specifically, personal finance-saving, spending, debt, budgets, and more. Today our guest is Bryan Yucoco. He's a Financial Wellness Manager at Hawaii USA FCU. Bryan has a passion for educating people about their finances. We'll also hear about Hawaii USA's efforts to educate Hawaii's youth about the basics of money management. Michael T is your host.

The state of Hawaii's Dept. of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) is a massive organization that few people are knowledgable about. In today's episode of Hawaii Matters, we talk to the top two at DBEDT to find out what they do and how they help Hawaii's businesses and industries. Our guests are James Tokioka (Director) and Dane Wicker (Deputy Director). In addition to the basics of DBEDT, we delve into the tourism and film industries. We learn about some of DBEDT's activities in these two important sectors of Hawaii's economy. Michael T is your host.

The Pacific Ocean is home to many, humans and marine life too. Today we talk to Devon Stapleton from the Hawaii State Dept. of Land and Natural Resources. She's a specialist in endangered marine species. Devon tells us why caring for these animals is important and what we should do when we encounter them. Some of the marine life she highlights are false killer whales, sharks, seals, rays, and more. Kathy With a K is your host.

Medicare is one of the most confusing topics for anyone, especially our seniors who need to consider it as they turn 65. Today, to help explain the ins and outs of Medicare, we talk to Tati Guzman from HMSA. She goes into detail about the different parts (A, B, C, and D), who needs what, who's eligible for Medicare, and how to make good decisions. Michael T is your host.

What is Medicaid? Who is it for? Do I qualify? How can it help me? So many questions. Health care can be confusing. Today, we tackle one aspect of health care-Medicaid. To help us navigate the ins and outs, we've invited Jerome Janicek and Kashmira Reid from AlohaCare to answer our questions and help us understand the basics. Michael T is your host.

The Institute for Human Services (IHS) is one of the state's larger relief organizations trying to lend a hand with Hawaii's homeless situation. In this episode, Michael T chats with IHS Executive Director Connie Mitchell. They discuss the history of IHS, the different causes and contributors to homelessness in Hawaii, and the multifaceted approach IHS uses to help the homeless population.

This week Kathy With a K talks to champion bodyboarder Jeff Hubbard about the Hubb Keiki Fest, a bodyboarding competition for Hawaii's youth. He also stresses the importance of ocean safety and how the ocean is so much a part of the Hawaiian culture. The second half of the show is an excerpt from our interview with Trini Kaopuiki Clark, the President and CEO of Make A Wish Hawaii from April 2024. Trini talks about the power of wish-granting and the wish-granting process. Michael T is your host.

On today's episode, we tackle two important topics. First Michael T talks to Emily Gordon from the Dept. of Health. She reminds us to prepare for emergencies from a health and wellness perspective. Surviving in an emergency situation is more than food, water, and shelter. There are a lot more things to remember. There's medication, refrigeration, kids activities, radios, and lots more. Then, Kathy With a K visits with Chanda Park, the co-founder of Safe Ride Hawaii. They want to keep Hawaii's roads free of drunk drivers, especially during and after major events. SRH provides transportation for you and your vehicle when you're impaired.

Today's guest is Elia Titiimaea. He's the Program Coordinator for the Hawaii Dept. of Health Diabetes Prevention Program. Diabetes can lead to serious health problems including kidney failure and amputation. We'll learn what diabetes is, its symptoms, how to battle it, and more. We'll also talk to Lei Jardine-Kanahele, a recent participant in the Diabetes Prevention Program. She tells us how the program works and how she succeeded. Michael T is your host.

This episode of Hawaii Matters focuses on your mouth and everything in it. We welcome Dr. Diane Paloma to the mic. Dr. Paloma is a local lady who ascended to be President and CEO of Hawaii Dental Service (HDS). We talk about the history of HDS, the mission, the importance of oral health, and more. Plus we touch on some of the initiatives that the HDS Foundation is promoting. Michael T is your host.

Sports is arguably the face of the franchise when it comes to school recognition. In today's episode, we talk to Craig Angelos, the Athletic Director at the University of Hawaii. We get an overview of the state of athletics, including facilities. And we dive into one of the biggest changes in all of college athletics, the so-called NIL (name, image, and likeness) money, and how it affects Hawaii. Michael T is your host.

This episode puts the spotlight on the non-profit organization, Let Grace In. They come alongside parents and families whose children have died. Let Grace In provides support, programs, coping methods, information, and more. Today we'll learn how the organization got started, the meaning behind the name, and some of the tender roads families travel during grief. Kathy With a K is your host. Click here for more: https://www.letgracein.org/

They're helping to bust the myth that it's difficult to succeed in business in Hawaii. Meli James and her partner and co-founder Brittney Heyd are helping Hawaii companies grow their businesses into global success stories. Their company, Mana Up, helps create a trickle-down effect that helps all of Hawaii thrive. Today's episode will show you how they do it. Michael T is your host.

Honolulu City Council Chair Tommy Waters joins us on HM. We talk about some of the highlights of the huge $3.6B budget, the duties of the city council, affordable housing, public safety, rail, and more. Michael T is your host.

It's that time of year to start thinking about getting kids ready for the new school year. In addition to school supplies, it's important and necessary to get your children properly vaccinated. In this episode, we talk to Dr. Jennifer Mbuthia, an immunology and allergy expert with the Hawaii Dept. of Health. She covers vaccines in general, who needs to get vaccinated, and why. Devon Nekoba is your host.

Personal technology is everywhere and our devices have become indispensable. But things do break. Jose Galeano specializes in fixing today's tech devices from phones and laptops to tablets and gaming devices, and more. What can be fixed? What should you buy new? What devices are easy and which are difficult to repair? We discuss all that and more. Devon Nekoba is your host.

IRS. Those three letters can stir fear in anyone. Hopefully not today. IRS Media Specialist Rodney Bearman answers questions about taxes and gives us advice on a number of different tax subjects. We also ask him what taxpayers can do to avoid that dreaded audit. Bearman also focuses on some of the free services the IRS offers that many don't know about. All that and more. Michael T is your host.

University of Hawaii President David Lassner is in his final six months of leading the institution. He looks back at his entire professional career (all at UH), talks about some of his early initiatives as president, touts the value of the UH Community Colleges, and touches on the ever-changing landscape of college athletics. Devon Nekoba is your host.

In this episode, State Rep. and Speaker of the House Scott Saiki sits down with Hawaii Matters. He talks about some of the issues our state government has been dealing with. He describes the challenge of helping Maui after the fires. He also talks about the state's efforts to tackle homelessness. Devon Nekoba is your host.

There's a surprising number of people in Hawaii who partake of menthol-flavored cigarettes. Flavored vapes are also on the rise and luring Hawaii youth. Jill Tamashiro from the Hawaii Dept. of Health and Ikaika Regidor from Papa Ola Lokahi discuss the dangers and challenges of flavored smoking products. They also reveal some of the marketing tactics used in Hawaii. Devon Nekoba is your host.

In today's episode, we talk pets with Anna Neubauer, the President and CEO of the Hawaiian Humane Society. She gives us the details on some of the organization's functions, pet breeding, issues they take to the legislature, the importance of chipping your pet, things the HHS does to help people keep their pets, and lots more. Devon Nekoba is your host.

In today's episode of Hawaii Matters, we talk to the king of all transportation in Hawaii, Ed Sniffen. He's the Director of the State Dept. of Transportation. H-DOT, as they like to call it, oversees state roads, airports, and harbors. Sniffen talks about transportation's impact on the lives of everyone in the state. We talk about freeways, trouble spots, technology, a little about rail, and lots more. Michael T is your host.

This episode of Hawaii Matters looks at one of the most successful drug addiction rehab programs in the nation. Habilitat was founded more than 50 years ago. They take in drug abusers, put them through a rigorous program, and get them employable. We learn what they do and how they do it. Kathy with a K is your host.

Trini Kaopuiki Clark is our guest on this episode. She is the President & CEO of Make a Wish Hawaii. Trini talks about what MAWH does in granting wishes to Hawaii kids with life-threatening illnesses, the process they go through, and the importance of the wish in the child's overall health. She also tells us the types of wishes they grant and how they integrate the entire family into the process. Trini also shares the biggest needs of MAWH right now. Michael T hosts the show.