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 Bomb

KUMU-FM 94.7 KUMU

KPOI-FM 105.9 The Wave

KQMQ–FM HI93 93.1FM

Comments 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.