Hawaii Matters

Habilitat is a long-term addiction recovery program on the Windward side of Oahu. It was established in the 1970's by Vinnie Marino, using himself as an example of changing one self, one day at a time.

The two-and-one-half year program is often a last chance for a life of sobriety for men and women. Guests Ryden Gamatero shares his personal recovery outlook and Keoki Kama III talks about community support.

One of the ways Habilitat funds its programs is with their Hawaii Christmas Trees project (Christmas tree lots open November 16, 2026 until sold out), working with local schools and other charities to help raise monies for their causes.

Ryden and Keoki are each Sales and Marketing Representatives at Habilitat.

Kathy With a K is your host.

"Hawaii Matters", a Pacific Media Group Oahu community program that airs on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. Hawaii across our radio stations: KDDB 102.7 Da Bomb | KQMQ HI93 | KUMU 94.7 KUMU | KPOI 105.9 The Wave

To be featured or for inquiries on "Hawaii Matters", please email: [email protected]

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou is a listen back with past Guests and this episode includes:Dr. Jennifer Mbuthia (Physician Consultant with Hawaii Department of Health) wants you to understand that feeling unwell means calling your PCP (Primary Care Physician) and getting a proper diagnosis for treatment. 

What are the signs of a “common cold”, influenza, and other respiratory ailments?  

Dr. Mbuthia discusses what a flu vaccination or flu shot is, basic ways you can keep healthy through the year, and the general differences between having allergies and having a respiratory virus during flu season.

Kathy With a K is your host. 

Recorded on January 13, 2026 at Pacific Media Group Oahu, Honolulu, HI 96813

"Hawaii Matters", a public service community program that airs on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. Hawaii across ⁠⁠Pacific Media Group Oahu⁠⁠ radio stations:⁠⁠⁠

⁠KDDB 102.7 Da Bomb⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ KQMQ HI93⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠KUMU 94.7 KUMU⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠KPOI 105.9 The Wave⁠⁠

To be featured or for inquiries on "Hawaii Matters", please email: [email protected]

*Originally aired on February 1, 2026

Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou is a listen back with past Guests and this episode includes:Dr. Kim-Anh Nguyen, President and CEO with Blood Bank of Hawaii with reminders to donate blood, when you’re healthy and able. [original episode: June 7, 2026] Steven Norstrom, Information Specialist at Honolulu Board of Water Supply on ways to save money when you use updated water fixtures and appliances. [original episode: May 10, 2026] Dr. Jennifer Mbuthia, Physician Consultant with Hawaii Department of Health on why an annual wellness visit (with your PCP) can help you before experiencing cold or flu symptoms. [original episode: February 1, 2026] 

Zoe Lewis, Executive Director of AccesSurf talks about the success of their Wounded Warrior program. [original episode: Mar. 8, 2026] 

Antonio Williams, Chairperson for Move With MADD Hawaii 5K on the risks of driving impaired. [original episode: Sept. 6, 2026] 

Kathy With a K is your host."Hawaii Matters", a community program that airs on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. Hawaii across Pacific Media Group Oahu radio stations:

KDDB 102.7 Da Bomb | KQMQ HI93 | KUMU 94.7 KUMU | KPOI 105.9 The Wave

To be featured or for inquiries on "Hawaii Matters", please email: [email protected]

Guest Tati Guzman (Medicare Health Plan Specialist from HMSA) shares the history of Medicare and how people can understand selecting health plans for themselves and loved ones.

A few changes to Medicare will take effect in 2027 and the free HMSA Medicare Workshops can assist those with questions on overall parts and plans.  

Kathy With a K is your host.

"Hawaii Matters", a public service community program that airs on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. Hawaii across Pacific Media Group Oahu radio stations:

KDDB 102.7 Da Bomb | KQMQ HI93 | KUMU 94.7 KUMU | KPOI 105.9 The Wave

Contact email: [email protected]

Recorded: October 14, 2026 at Pacific Media Group Oahu, Honolulu, HI 96813

Guest Ed Nishioka (President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Hawaii) sees the need for more rooms for families to be near their children at Oahu hospitals and talks about Day One community support.

The Ronald McDonald House Hawaii provides a place for neighbor island families to stay when a seriously ill child is receiving treatment on Oahu. Their staff and volunteers work with local hospitals and their team to help alleviate the worry of where to sleep and rest while keiki may need further tests, await results, and get better.

Annual fundraising events include:

Red Shoe 5K Run Walk

Golf Classic Tournament

Benefit Gala and Auction

Kathy With a K is your host.

"Hawaii Matters", a community program that airs on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. Hawaii across Pacific Media Group Oahu radio stations:

KDDB 102.7 Da Bomb | KQMQ HI93 | KUMU 94.7 KUMU | KPOI 105.9 The Wave

To be featured or for inquiries on "Hawaii Matters", please email: [email protected]

Guest Kumi Macdonald (Executive Director at NAMI Hawaii) shares her own experiences as a Mom, a Daughter, and advocate for understanding mental health conditions in our different communities.

NAMI Hawaii has support groups for persons who may be on their newly diagnosed mental health condition journey and helps to provide a safe space to express one’s concerns, hopes, and wonderings.  

The annual NAMIWalks Hawaii fundraising walk will be held statewide on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Oahu’s NAMIWalks will be at Kaka’ako Waterfront Park from 9am to 12pm, with activities until 1pm. More: namihawaii.org 

Kathy With a K is your host. "Hawaii Matters", a community program that airs on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. Hawaii across Pacific Media Group Oahu radio stations:

KDDB 102.7 Da Bomb | KQMQ HI93 | KUMU 94.7 KUMU | KPOI 105.9 The Wave

To be featured or for inquiries on "Hawaii Matters", please email: [email protected]

Guest Grant Itomitsu joined Kapiolani Community College in 2003, thanks to a phone call from the Culinary Arts department at KCC asking if he’d be interested in returning to the campus as an instructor.

Since 2019, as KCC’s Culinary Arts Department Chair, he shares more on the Culinary Institute of the Pacific, the fundamentals in the kitchen, and how the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival helps new chef(s)-in-training get additional real world experience outside of the classroom.

Also, did you know about the Food and Dining options at KCC (as of 2026)? Good stuff!

Kathy With a K is your host."Hawaii Matters", a community program that airs on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. Hawaii across Pacific Media Group Oahu radio stations: KDDB 102.7 Da Bomb | KQMQ HI93 | KUMU 94.7 KUMU | KPOI 105.9 The Wave

To be featured or for inquiries on "Hawaii Matters", please email: [email protected]

Bernie Caalim (Director of Marketing Communications at Pacific Historic Parks) talks about the Honouli'uli National Historic Site [1943-1946] and the importance of preserving its history: "The largest incarceration site in Hawai’i that held POWs from many countries and US citizens through the duration of the war."

Guest Bernie Caalim talks on the fundraising event, "Honouli'uli: A History Awakened" to be held at the Hawaii Theatre on Sunday, September 27, 2026.

Kathy With a K is your host for this podcast

"Hawaii Matters", a community program that airs on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. Hawaii across Pacific Media Group Oahu radio stations:

KDDB 102.7 Da Bomb | KQMQ HI93 | KUMU 94.7 KUMU | KPOI 105.9 The Wave

To be featured or for inquiries on "Hawaii Matters", please email: [email protected]

Guest Elizabeth Pickett (Co-Executive Director of Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization) shares many ways a household can help to prevent the spread of wildfires and it begins with creating a clear-from-debris five-foot perimeter surrounding your house, office building, storage unit, and garage.  Everyday intentions can help a community become more resistant to the spread of wildfires.

Jason Scanlan (Senior Project Manager for Wildfire Risk at Ke Kula 'o Kamehameha) talks on how Kamehameha Schools and their properties are at work educating their staff on what to look for across the many land use types to maintain healthier vegetation and safely clearing debris. Removing invasive plants and reintroducing (in some cases) native plants to an area helps to reduce soil loss following heavy rains. 

The Wildfire LOOKOUT! Campaign includes evacuation planning guidance, ways to prepare your home and property, as well as “Ready, Set, GO!” information.  

Kathy With a K is your host.

"Hawaii Matters", a community program that airs on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. Hawaii across Pacific Media Group Oahu radio stations:

KDDB 102.7 Da Bomb | KQMQ HI93 | KUMU 94.7 KUMU | KPOI 105.9 The Wave

To be featured or for inquiries on "Hawaii Matters", please email: [email protected]## Hawaii Matters, Hana Hou ##

Antonio Williams (2026 Chairperson for Move With MADD Hawaii 5K) wants our communities to choose a designated sober driver to take the wheel at every occasion. This is the message every day, in every season: do not operate a vehicle if you've had alcohol or drugs. Some prescribed medications can affect one's ability to be a safe driver, too.

MADD Hawaii offers handbooks at their official site, MADD.org/Hawaii, that help parents and guardians talk about the consequences of DUI/Driving Under the Influence and DWI/Driving While Impaired with their children.

If you drink, don't drive. Use a rideshare, public transportation, and ask a family member or trusted friend to get you home safely.

Sign up a team, walk solo, or make a donation: Move With MADD Hawaii 5K 2026

Kathy With a K is your host.

"Hawaii Matters", a community program that airs on Sundays at 6:30 a.m. Hawaii across Pacific Media Group Oahu radio stations:KDDB 102.7 Da Bomb | KQMQ HI93 | KUMU 94.7 KUMU | KPOI 105.9 The Wave

To be featured or for inquiries on "Hawaii Matters", please email: [email protected]

Recorded on August 13, 2026 at Pacific Media Group Oahu, Honolulu, HI 96813