Hawaii Matters 2020

1/05/20 – Jacce Mikulanec, President and Executive Director Japanese Cultural of Hawaii

On this Sunday’s Hawaii Matters, Devon welcomes Jacce Mikulanec, President and Executive Director Japanese Cultural of Hawaii.  He talks about some of the JCCH’s programs and discusses his recent work with the Honouliuli national historical project, which preserves the Honouliuli internment camp that was used in World War II to house Japanese Americans during the war.

1/12/20 – Dr. Mason Turner from Kaiser Permanente

Devon welcomes back Dr. Mason Turner from Kaiser Permanente on Maui to talk about stress. What it is, how it affects your body and mind, and most importantly, ways to not let it control your life.

1/19/20 – Denise and Gus Solderholm

Denise and Gus Solderholm join Devon on today’s show to speak about mobility options for the disabled. There are many things that need to be kept in mind when trying to find options to keep your mobility and transit independence, and Denise and Gus discuss some things to look for, and how to maximize the effectiveness of the solutions that are available to you should you need mobility assistance.

1/26/20 – Terryn Davis, the Regional Care Manager for the Golden West Chapter of the ALS association

Terryn Davis, the Regional Care Manager for the Golden West Chapter of the ALS association, stops by to talk with Devon about Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) otherwise known as Lou Gherig’s disease. Though there is no known cure, the Golden West Chapter has been working hard to help people living with ALS get the help they need to manage this insidious disease. We hear about what it’s like to care for someone with ALS, and how you can help in their fight against the battle to cure it.

2/2/20 – Trisha Kajimura, Executive Director for Mental Health America of Hawaii

This week, Devon welcomes in Trisha Kajimura, Executive Director for Mental Health America of Hawaii.  She and her staff are part of a national organization that helps promote mental wellness through education, advocacy and service.  She speaks about how MHA of Hawaii tries to help reduce the stigma of mental illness and improve the overall care, treatment and empowerment of those with mental illnesses and their families.

2/9/20 – Dr. Nicholas Nelken, Vascular Surgeon with Kaiser Permante

Dr. Nicholas Nelken, Vascular Surgeon with Kaiser Permante joins Devon in the Hawaii Matters studio to speak about Smoking cessation, and also takes time to discuss the vaping craze and how it has not necessarily helped curb smoking, plus some of the dangers of vaping.

2/16/20 – Mayoral Candidate Keith Amemiya

Keith Amemiya, candidate for mayor, stops by to talk to Devon about his life and what has led him to decide to run for Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu.  He also discusses his time as the director for the Hawaii High School Athletic Association, and how he feels this experience will help him run the city.

2/23/20 – Mayoral Candidate Kymberly Pine

Councilmember Kymberly Pine takes some time to meet with Devon to discuss her decision to run for Mayor.  She also discusses her time in the state legislature and council member, and how those experiences helped shape her into the person she is today.  She also talks about what about those experiences led her to decide to run for Mayor.

3/1/20 – Dr. Stephen Chang, Interventional Cardiologist with Kaiser Permanente

Dr. Stephen Chang, Interventional Cardiologist with Kaiser Permanente, explains how his department helps to save people who have had heart attacks, and gets into more details of how to keep yourself heart healthy so that you won’t need to see him!

3/8/20 – Michelle Kauhane, Senior Vice President of Community Grants & Investments

Michelle Kauhane, Senior Vice President of Community Grants & Investments, spends some time with Devon talking about the mission of the Hawaii Community Foundation and what they do.  She also discusses their new CHANGE framework, and how it will help guide the organization as they continue to help service and provide grants to groups that are doing great things to help all of us in Hawaii.

3/15/20 – Dr. Kevin Murphy, a podiatrist with Kaiser Permanente

This week on Hawaii Matters, Devon welcomes Dr. Kevin Murphy, a podiatrist with Kaiser Permanente, to talk about foot health.  We talk about everything from sprains to bunions and also how to take care of your feet if you’re diabetic.  You’ll be surprised to know how much important having healthy feet is to your overall health.

3/22/20 – Progressive Supranuclear Palsy with Dr. Sharin Burton

Dr. Sharin Burton from Kaiser Permanente talks about Progressive Supranuclear Palsy or PSP. PSP is a disease that can seem like Parkinsons, but can be much more severe in the way it affects people afflicted with it. Dr. Burton explains more about what causes it and how to spot it if you are wondering if someone you know is suffering with it.

3/29/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

Our guest is the Lt. Governor of the State of Hawaii, Josh Green. He talks about the state’s efforts to curb the coronavirus. As an emergency room doctor, he also brings insight into disease control, the measures that need to be taken globally, nationally, locally, and personally, to stop the spread and keep healthy. Dr. Green also addresses the various issues and misinformation surrounding the pandemic.

4/5/20 – Congressman Ed Case

Hawaii Congressman Ed Case joins the discussion on the coronavirus and addresses the crisis at the Federal level. What is the stimulus package all about? Who is eligible? How does one claim the money? Rep. Case breaks down the complexities of the bills that Congress has passed to date.

4/12/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

Lt. Gov. Josh Green is today’s guest. He is the state’s health care coronavirus liaison and an emergency room doctor. The LG updates Hawaii on the progress of the state’s battle against coronavirus. He encourages listeners to do all the recommended actions to help flatten the curve of the progress of the virus. Green points out the importance of getting to April 30^th, as a milestone in the fight. What does someone do if they think they have the virus. He also addresses people who may  be asymptomatic.

4/19/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green visits for his weekly update on the coronavirus in Hawaii. He applauds the efforts of Hawaii residents in applying all the recommendations to help limit the spread of the virus. He addresses testing in Hawaii, the number and the limitations. The LG gives his prediction on how and when Hawaii might start to open up again. He reminds people of the importance of wearing a mask and how it helps limit the spread.

4/26/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green provides his weekly update on Hawaii’s fight against Covid-19. What is the outlook for loosening restrictions? The LG addresses some of the confusion that exists between the state and city’s conflicting information. He addresses the tourism lockdown-how it has affected Hawaii and how it has helped fight the spread of the virus. What needs to happen before people go back to work? Recommendations on how to test for coronavirus. How will travel to a Hawaii be affected in the coming weeks?

5/3/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Governor David Ige

The Governor gives an update on the state’s efforts to battle Covid-19. He addresses the conflict he seems to have with Honolulu’s mayor. He gives an update on the activity at the hospitals-ICU occupancy, ventilator use, overall capacity and the readiness of hospitals to be ready for an outbreak. What is the outlook for the state relative to recovery? The governor addresses the impact of the shutdown on the state. Unemployment has skyrocketed. The antiquated unemployment insurance system. When will businesses start to open up again? What will it look like when our tourism market opens up?

5/10/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

It’s the weekly update from the Lt. Gov. He addresses some of the reopening of Hawaii, as the state has done well to limit the spread of coronavirus. He contrasts that with the spread on the mainland, which is seeing some very disturbing increases. How does the mainland reaction affect Hawaii? What are some of the indirect side effects of this shutdown? Suicide, abuse, increased alcoholic consumption, etc. At this point, what kind of activities can we open up? What can Hawaii expect with the local economy? And the tourism economy? How does Hawaii avoid future spread of the virus?

5/17/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

This is a weekly update from the Lt. Gov. He speaks about the reopening of Hawaii and mental health concerns due to economic issues and social isolation. He also answers questions like: Is it okay to go to the beach? When will medium risk businesses like bowling alleys be safe? What about graduation parties? How do we rectify reopening and going to malls when the stay at home order was extended until June 30? As for reopening to tourism, he explains there are new protocols that will be happening at the airport for health and safety. He speaks about the opening of Aloha Free Clinic, which should be open from June, July, August to assist those who cannot afford healthcare now.

5/24/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

A weekly update from the Lt. Gov. describing reopening. How do we make tourism safe? Airports are going to have a better screening and more rigorous process. He is urging inter-island travel quarantine to be gone within the next week and speaks of future plans for COVID screening. How important is mask use? How concerning is a second wave? How will the COVID-19 crisis be affected by the hurricane season? How will it affect hurricane shelters? He answers these questions and speaks about the Aloha Free Clinic opening and how you can volunteer if you’re a healthcare worker. He speaks about why it’s a bad idea to take hydroxychloroquine to prevent COVID and about its side effects.

5/31/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

Lt. Gov. provides a short summary of our state and COVID cases and updates. He speaks about how some people are asymptomatic. When can inter-island travel resume? When can quarantine for those from the mainland end? He stresses how you need to wear masks and how important it is to do so when you go out in public. Resuming public school, HSAA sports, and marching band is also discussed.

6/7/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

Lt. Gov. Josh Green comes in with another COVID update. They discuss the opening of inter-island travel and mainland travel. They discuss the next phase of reopening to tourism. What would need to be done when we open to mainland travel? What are the issues with requiring tests for travelers? How can we open international travel safely? They discuss fall travel plans and safety screenings. A listener asks about sports and resuming football, a listener asks about gyms and if it’s safe, a listener asks about massages and how safe it is.

6/14/20 – Special Edition Hawaii Matters: Black Lives Matter

This special edition of Hawai‘i Matters is a dialogue with some of Hawai‘i’s most influential leaders to discuss the issue of systemic racism and hate violence claiming Black lives. How does a diverse state like Hawai‘i compare with the rest of the United States in its efforts to be more inclusive and equitable? Our guest leaders join us in this important discussion on the objective of full equality. Panelists include: Susan Ballard, chief of the Honolulu Police Department; Alphonso Braggs, president of the Honolulu-Hawai‘i NAACP; Dr. Akiemi Glenn, executive director of the Pōpolo Project; and Noelani Goodyear-Ka’ōpua, professor of political science at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. You can listen here.

6/21/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

Another weekly update with Lt. Gov. Josh Green, they discuss surges and clusters in cases. He stresses wearing a mask when out of your house. A listener asks about health issues and being exempt from wearing masks. What are the guidelines for nursing homes? They discuss the proposal about bringing people back to Hawaii and getting COVID testing 4 days after they return to possibly shorten the 14 day quarantine. When will sports come back? What might the protocols look like? What about chorus and band classes? What about live music and those who rely on it? They speak about implementing plans to end the travel quarantine. They discuss the Aloha Free Clinic and how you can get an appointment (by emailing alohafreeclinic@gmail.com).

6/21/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

The Lt. Gov. talks about the coordination it takes to open the state to both locals and tourists. He addresses the importance of testing for Covid-19. The LG also talks about the recent spread of the virus as a local nursing facility. He talks about people who are exempt from wearing a mask because of conditions that make it difficult to wear one. He reviews the proposed plan the state wants to implement when tourists do start visiting Hawaii again. The LG answers questions about group activities like sports and band in schools. He also talks about new information about the coronavirus as we’re learning something new seemingly every day. He updates listeners about the Aloha Free Clinic that was founded as a response to job losses after Covid.

6/28/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

The LG addresses the state’s plan to open up the tourist economy and the multiple challenges that go along with that. He also answers listeners questions regarding testing, quarantine, penalties for quarantine breakers, and the challenges residents are having in light of opening up our local economy. The LG also talks about the recent uptick in Covid-19 cases in Hawaii and the rest of the nation. He answers the question, at what point does the state look at the increases in cases and say “that’s enough, we have to change things”?

7/05/20 – Dr. Christopher Lum, an Ophthalmologist from Kaiser Permanente.

He talks about ophthalmology and what the area covers. Dr. Lum talks about what cataracts is, the problems caused by cataracts, the history of treatment, who it affects, how it’s treated today, the process of the surgery.

7/12/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

7/19/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

7/31/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

8/09/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

The Lt. Gov. updates us on the COVID-19 Pandemic. He discusses what surging beyond the capacity for hospitals means, contact tracers, and how COVID is affecting the Pacific Islander community. He also speaks about public schools, private schools, and families needing to decide whether their children should or shouldn’t go back to school. Uncertainty for tourism reopening and military COVID-19 cases is also discussed. What can we do to help small businesses? What grants are being discussed in addition to PPP?

8/16/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

8/23/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

8/30/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

9/06/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

Hawaii Lt. Gov. Josh Green joins us for his weekly update on the coronavirus in Hawaii. Topics include: the changes at the upper levels of the Hawaii Department of Health, including the retirement of the director and especially the leave of absence of Hawaii’s state epidemiologist, Sarah Park; the differences between the types of tests people can take for coronavirus detection; how to behave during the Labor Day weekend; conflicting information from the CDC; COVID-19 vs the flu; information about vaccines, their trials, timeline, and effectiveness. The Lt. Gov also answers listeners questions regarding life during the pandemic.

9/13/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

The Lt. Gov. updates us on the latest on the coronavirus in Hawaii. He covers the extension of the 2-week extension of the lockdown; He analyzes some of the specific rules of behavior for the lockdown; He discusses the results of the recent surge testing that took place. Also discussed are infection rates and daily cases. How does Hawaii’s tourism look at this point? The LG takes questions from listeners. He covers the recent changes at the State Dept. of Health. The LG also reviews his proposed 5-point plan to further combat the virus. He also walks through the procedure for one of the latest tests.

9/20/20 – Dr. Heather Goff, Psychiatrist for Kaiser Permanente

Mental health in 2020. Dr. Heather Goff is a psychiatrist who lives on Maui. She discusses the challenges of raising children in this social media-dominated world. Dr. Goff also addresses the current challenge parents have with their children during the COVID-19 lockdown. We also address the stigma of having a mental health issue and how parents deal with it in the children. Dr. Goff also touched on how adults deal with mental health especially during lockdown. How to identify stress and anxiety in your life-what are the signs to look for. How telemedicine affects mental health practices. How COVID-19 and the distancing has affected people in general. How to spot problems in your children while you’re in lockdown. She reiterates her mantra, “it’s ok to not be ok.”

9/27/20 – COVID-19 Interview with Lt. Governor Josh Green

The Lt. Gov. contracted COVID-19. He has recovered and talks about his experiences as a patient. Other topics: the upcoming opening of the travel restrictions for tourists wanting to visit; the testing process for incoming travelers; he talks about the trends in Hawaii’s COVID statistics and their implications; will Hawaii be using CARES Act money to help finance testing; he addresses the problem bars are having reopening; he addresses the questions and outlook for a vaccine. The Lt. Gov. reminds everyone to observe the usual safety practices.

We also talked to Todd Lewis the COO of the Blood Bank of Hawaii. He addressed: the dire need to build up the state’s blood supply; what types of blood are needed; how to donate; the procedures in place to give blood during the pandemic.