PODCAST

The Conversation

Whether you live in our state or far from our shores, you’ll know what’s happening in Hawaiʻi with HPR"s daily hour of locally focused discussions of public affairs, ideas, culture and the arts. Guests from across the islands and around the world provide perspectives on life in Hawaiʻi — and issues that have not yet reached Hawaiʻi. Hosted by HPR"s Catherine Cruz. Have something to say? Send a comment to talkback@hawaiipublicradio.org or call our talkback line at 808-792-8217.

news & politics

All Episodes

The Conversation: Filipino survivors of the Lahaina...

The Conversation ·

2025/07/10

The author of report on Filipino survivors of the Lahaina wildfire push back on a characterization of its findings by the Department of Homeland Security; HDOT director Ed Sniffen talks about efforts to modernize Hawaiʻi's airports

The Conversation: U.S. Rep. Ed Case on immigration;...

The Conversation ·

2025/07/09

U.S. Rep. Ed Case shares his thoughts on immigration policy and the recently passed GOP-led spending bill; Office of Hawaiian Affairs chair Kai Kahele breaks down the agency's budget

53:43

The Conversation: A call-in on illegal fireworks

The Conversation ·

2025/07/08

We're opening our phone lines to discuss the crackdown on illegal fireworks. Have a comment or question? Call 808-941-3689 during the live show or email talkback@hawaiipublicradio.org.

54:05

The Conservation: Tourism; Pope Leo XIV's ancestry

The Conversation ·

2025/07/07

Keith Vieira with KV & Associates Hospitality Consultants shares his outlook on tourism; Genealogist Jari Honora talks about Pope Leo XIV's ancestry as Hawaiʻi marks nearly two centuries since the first arrival of a Catholic priest in the islands

53:49

The Conservation: HTA next steps; Apple TV's Chief of...

The Conversation ·

2025/07/03

DBEDT director James Tokioka discusses next steps for the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority; "Chief of War" co-creator Thomas Paʻa Sibbett shares why he wants to bring the story of the unification of the Hawaiian islands to an international audience

The Conversation: University of Hawaiʻi; Lost Manu...

The Conversation ·

2025/07/02

University of Hawaiʻi president Wendy Hensel reflects on her first six months on the job; Scientists Sam Case and Molly Hagemann document interactions between Hawaiʻi's native birds and plants

48:56

The Conversation: UH Astronomy; Hawaiʻi Tourism...

The Conversation ·

2025/07/01

University of Hawaiʻi's Institute for Astronomy Director Doug Simons discusses the proposed federal funding cuts to science; Former Gov. Ben Cayetano reflects on the origin of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority as the agency faces restructuring

53:56

The Conversation: Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority; Maui...

The Conversation ·

2025/06/30

What's next for the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority?; Maui County conservationists work to restore the island's sand dunes with native plants

53:55

The Conversation: Gov. Josh Green; Progress on the...

The Conversation ·

2025/06/27

Gov. Josh Green discusses the Hawaiʻi Tourism Agency's restructuring, proposed Medicaid cuts; HART officials share progress on the Skyline, which is expected to open its second segment in October

The Conversation: Hawaiʻi's dependence on oil; Math...

The Conversation ·

2025/06/26

Hawaiʻi Chief Energy Officer Mark Glick discusses Hawaiʻi's dependence on oil amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East; The National Council on Teacher Quality rates Hawaiʻi's math teacher training as "unacceptable"

The Conversation: Hawaiʻi Island short-term rentals;...

The Conversation ·

2025/06/25

Erik Kloninger, Director of Finance at Aloha Hospitality Consulting, provides a snapshot on the economic impact of short-term vacation rentals on Hawaiʻi Island; Filmmaker Sayla Whalen discusses her debut film "First Comes Love," which is screening as part of the Honolulu Rainbow Film Festival