In this episode of Hawaii Matters, we talk to Kristen Kelly, Marine Species Specialist and Outreach Coordinator with DLNR's (Department of Land and Natural Resources) Division of Aquatic Resources. She tells us about the problem of debris in our Hawaii waters and on our beaches. Some goes to recycling, repurposing, and what happens to wildlife when these items are not removed from our shorelines and waters.

Kathy With a K is your host.

Last time we talked to our real estate expert Maila Gibson-Bandmann it was about selling your home. In this episode, we talk about buying a home in Hawaii. Yes, it can be done. We talk about financing, location, and keeping the dream of living in Hawaii alive. Michael T is your host.

Thousands of Hawaii residents moved to the mainland in 2024. Roughly 4,400 moved to Las Vegas. Moving away might mean selling your home. What are the important factors to be aware of when selling a home in Hawaii? Maila Gibson-Bandmann is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Realty in Hawaii. She's got the answers. This is part one of two episodes on real estate in Hawaii. Look for part two soon. Michael T is your host.

In this episode, we talk to local optometrist Dr. Dane Sultzer from Kahala Eye Clinic. It's all things eyes and eye health, how to care for your eyes, the importance of proper eyewear, problems with the eyes, surgery techniques, and more. Kathy With a K is your host.

The March of Dimes is one of the oldest charities in the United States. And yet, today few know what MOD is all about. Candice Fajardo, the Exec. Dir of the Hawaii chapter, wants to change that. The March of Dimes is all about educating mothers and fathers during their child-rearing years from pregnancy to post-partum. And making sure parents have access to resources and proper healthcare for their children. Kathy With a K is your host.

When an emergency hits, how we respond is crucial to survival. James Barros is the administrator for HI-EMA, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. He tells us what he would like to see from Hawaii's citizens and responders. It's something HI-EMA calls "a kakou effort." We'll also hear how the Maui wildfires and other situations have impacted Hawaii's emergency response. Kathy With a K is your host.

We've got two segments for you this week. Kathy With a K talks to Tati Guzman from HMSA. She's back with a review of Medicare during the open enrollment period. And in the second half of the show, we replay an excerpt from our show on homelessness. Michael T talks to Connie Mitchell from IHS (Insitute for Human Services).

Whether you know it or not, OMPO affects your life. OMPO is the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. In today's episode, we learn what OMPO is, what it does, and how they do it. It all has to do with transportation and traffic and all the related areas (there are more than you think). Michael T is your host.

Meet Don Mangiarelli. He runs the IT security firm, Cyber Security Hawaii. Don tells us about the perils that lurk when it comes to electronic information. It's a nasty world with the bad guys scouring the web trying to steal your vital, private information. According to Mangiarelli, your information probably already has been stolen. And if it hasn't, it will be. He tells us what we can do to protect our online info. Michael T is your host.

We tackle two subjects today with the help of Dr. Stefanie Park. She's VP and Chief Medical Officer at HMSA (Hawaii Medical Service Association). Baby Boomers are the second largest segment of the US population. Caring for our elderly is a major health concern. What are those concerns and what can our kupuna and their families do to keep them healthy? Dr. Park also helps us understand the importance of dental hygiene and how it's directly related to a person's overall health. Michael T is your host.