The Conversation is a weekday show on HPR’s news and information program stream, KHPR 88.1FM. For, by, and about the people of Hawaii, The shows host Chris Vandercook will be talking to all sorts of people about all sorts of things, from the state’s budge

The U.S. Navy announces the decision to reopen a shaft involved in the Red Hill water crisis; U.S. Poet Laureate Arthur Sze discusses his work with poetry and translation.

Gov. Green speaks after assessing storm damage after Hurricane Lowell on Kauaʻi; HPR returns with the latest installments of its segments 'Homeroom Hawaiʻi' and 'Hawaiʻi Skies.'

Former University of Hawaiʻi Law School Dean Avi Soifer explains how and why Kamehameha Schools could lose their tax-exempt status; HPR joins Pokémon fans in line trying to catch ‘em all on franchise's 30th anniversary.

State Senate President Ron Kouchi shares how f Kauaʻi is recovering after Hurricane Lowell; UH Professor Karl Kim shares what disasters — both manmade and natural — can teach us.

Today, The Conversation is broadcasting live on the Ala Wai Canal — on the edge of Waikīkī.

Hawaiian Electric Company VP of Communications Jim Kelly shares the latest on Kauaʻi's recovery efforts; HPR returns with the latest installment of Homeroom Hawaiʻi.

Kauaʻi's electric utility works to restore power across the island; Punahou president Mike Latham remembers alumni who died; Filmmaker talks LNG documentary

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami addresses Hurricane Lowell impacts; HPR's Mark Ladao has more on Lowell on Oʻahu; UH researcher talks pilot whale study

Handling the constant storms and disasters; Honolulu takes part in Youth Climate Action Fund; Volcano Minute; Lahaina resident's mail woes; Director Destin Daniel Cretton talks Maui film lab

Hawaii Business magazine's list of most profitable companies; Database tracks billion-dollar disasters; AI and the backbone of the American economy

HART CEO Lori Kahikina talks about the timeline on the latest leg of the Skyline into Honolulu's urban core; Filmmaker Stephan Boeker shares his award-winning short film documenting the work of a Maui architect.

Gaye Chan, of the Oʻahu Rapid Response Coalition, shares their mission to monitor ICE activity on Oʻahu; Honolulu Director of Transit Jon Nouchi shares how the city's public transportation plans are progressing.

City Council candidates speak after the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruled Tommy Waters ineligible to run in the general election; Maui-based motivational speaker Eric Saperston shares his new card game creation, "Three Things."

Hawaiʻi Island Mayor Kimo Alameda shares recovery updates after Hurricane Lala devastated areas like the Nāʻālehu Cemetery; The Center for Oral History at UH Mānoa plans new projects after receiving over half a million dollars in new funding.

HECO shares updates on getting the lights back on after Hurricane Lala; HPR shares more stories from students and staff across the islands in the second installment of “Homeroom Hawaiʻi.”

John Bravender, of the National Weather Service, shares news of a third weather disturbance forming after Tropical Storm Moke; Capitol Modern combines several art festival events into one day: "Super Saturday."

HPR reports on hurricane insurance and how much home insurance policies actually protect; Army Sgt. Clara Davis fights her discharge from the military following President Trump's transgender military ban.

Recovery efforts continue on Hawaiʻi Island after Lala while Moke makes its way across Molokaʻi; recently appointed Honolulu Police Chief David Lazar talks public safety after Lala took out power on Oʻahu.

Today, we are discussing how communities can access information on how to rebuild following the destruction caused by Hurricane Lala. Lala left many without power and damaged homes across the islands.

Gov. Josh Green shares information about another potential tropical storm, and why hurricane season isn't over; HPR presents Homeroom Hawaiʻi, a segment that shares the stories of students and staff across Hawaiʻi's schools.

HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote reports on HECO's progress restoring power to the islands; Peter Oshiro, head of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health's Food Safety ranch, advises on how to prepare food for a hurricane.

Kauaʻi Mayor Derek Kawakami shares how the Garden Isle fared during Hurricane Lala; business owners and residents from O'ahu and Hawai'i Island share how they're rebuilding amid storm damage and continued power outages.

City and state officials deliver the latest updates on Hawaiʻi's recovery after Hurricane Lala; residents share their experience in the aftermath.

HPR's Bill Dorman reports with the latest developments on Tropical Storm Lala; Mililani Trask, sister of Haunani Kay-Trask, responds to a possibly AI-generated use of her late sister's likeness.

HPR speaks with state Sen. Karl Rhoads about concerns around a possibly AI-generated campaign commercial; Punahou School President Mike Latham discusses the new Mary Kawena Pukui Learning Commons.

HPR's Cassie Ordonio reports on the results for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs races; Mokulele Airlines begins test flights with BETA Technologies' fully-electric Alia aircrafts.

HPR reviews the results of the 2026 primary election; national Solar Observatory scientists capture the highest-resolution images of the surface of the sun ever taken.

On the eve of the 2026 primary election, The Conversation highlights past stories about engaging in the democratic process.

Bishop Michael Thomas Tupou Castori speaks with HPR about his journey and connection with the Pacific; HPR speaks with District 4 voters and Tommy Waters about his ousting from the election.

JERA Vice President of Development Erik Montague answers questions about liquefied natural gas; fingerboard and kendama enthusiasts share where their passions have taken them.

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda speaks with HPR about her time spent in Maui three years after the Lahaina fires; Honolulu Department of Planning & Permitting director Dawn Takeuchi Apuna explains why CivCheck, an AI tool, is required for residential permit applicants.

Clinical psychologist Dr. Amithea Love explains a new pilot program to ease the state's mental health physician shortage; HPR speaks with Hele Rolls food truck owners and America's Got Talent duo Nyjah Rhythm and Zyah Rhythm.

HPR's Mark Ladao reports on the latest developments in the bribery case involving Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke; Podcaster Kamaka Dias reflects on his time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Madagascar.

Today, our panel discusses a new statewide policy to restrict student cell phone usage beginning next school year — which starts next week.

Increased fuel prices from the Iran war place a burden on TheBus budget; Former UH head swim coach Jans Prins breaks down the biomechanics of swimming in his new book, "Freestyle Biomechanics."

Honolulu Civil Beat's Ben Angarone and UH political science professor Colin Moore discuss City Councilmember Tommy Waters' ineligibility to run for office; Hawai'i residents react to the new restrictions on truck bed-riding.

International military officials share their thoughts as RIMPAC 2026 concludes; Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Nathan Tan explains the recent national outbreak Cyclosporiasis

The Conversation takes a look through the archives to curate a list of local literature to add to your library.

Sen. Karl Rhoads, longtime chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, reflects on his career in the State Legislature; Vicky Durand and Indrajit Gunasekara, of the Koali Niu Coconut Gene Bank, share how the nonprofit preserves and protects the native coconuts of Hāna Maui.

Nainoa Thomspon, CEO of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, and Chamorro navigator Ron Acfalle pay tribute to the late Grand Master Navigator Sesario Sewralur; musical artist Tavana becomes the new owner of beloved bar and music venue Anna O'Brien's.

Ken Quintanilla, executive director of the Guam Red Cross, delivers recovery updates after Super Typhoon Bavi; animal researchers Dr. Lisa "Cali" Crampton and Justin Hite raise awareness about the decline of Kauaʻi's native birds.

Sandy Ma discusses her new title as Executive Director and Legal Counsel for the Honolulu Ethics Commission; Business owner Bill Comerford makes his Irish exit as he sells beloved live-music bar Anna O'Brien's.

Gov. Josh Green explains why members of Hawaiʻi's National Guard are deployed in the nation's capital; Sherry Menor, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, reacts to the state scoring last on CNBC's Top States for Business ranking.

Have a question or comment on Hawaiʻi's media landscape? Send a note to talkback@hawaiipublicradio.org or leave a voicemail at 808-792-8217.

Mark Suiso, of Makaha Mangoes, shares tips on mango farming and explains why mango season is late this year; HPR and Canary Media team up to report on the debate around Liquefied Natural Gas.

Hawaiʻi Chief Election Officer Scott Nago discusses preparations for the primary elections; rower and social media sensation Kelsey Pfendler celebrates her record-breaking solo rowing voyage from California.

The Conversation takes a trip back to past broadcasts on the world of travel and transportation.

Northern Mariana Islands journalist Thomas Mangloña II shares his firsthand account of the destruction left by Super Typhoon Bavi; Hawaiʻi locals and city officials share their thoughts on the Driver's License redesign.

A new pro golf tournament, Play Hawaiʻi Golf, is being organized to replace The Sentry tournament by the PGA Tour; Maui philanthropist Ed Freedman talks about funding investment accounts for Hawaiʻi foster youth.

Vassilis Syrmos, the new Chancellor of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, speaks with HPR about his new role; Honolulu street psychiatrist Chad Koyanagi shares his story helping those suffering on the streets.

HPR's Cassie Ordonio reports on a super typhoon passing through Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands; Common Cause Hawaii director Camron Hurt discusses the U.S. Supreme Court's final rulings for 2026.