PlatPhorm Podcasts

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.

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Episodes

7/23/2026

The Conversation: Sen. Karl Rhoads reflects on 20 years; Preserving coconut palms artwork

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The Conversation: Sen. Karl Rhoads reflects on 20 years; Preserving coconut palms

The Conversation

Sen. Karl Rhoads, longtime chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, reflects on his career in the State Legislature; Vicky Durand and Indrajit Gunasekara, of the Koali Niu Coconut Gene Bank, share how the nonprofit preserves and protects the native coconuts of Hāna Maui.

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7/22/2026

The Conversation: Remembering Master Navigator Sesario Sewralur; The new face of Anna O’Brien’s artwork

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The Conversation: Remembering Master Navigator Sesario Sewralur; The new face of Anna O’Brien’s

The Conversation

Nainoa Thomspon, CEO of the Polynesian Voyaging Society, and Chamorro navigator Ron Acfalle pay tribute to the late Grand Master Navigator Sesario Sewralur; musical artist Tavana becomes the new owner of beloved bar and music venue Anna O’Brien’s.

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7/21/2026

The Conversation: Guam Red Cross; Kauaʻi’s native birds artwork

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The Conversation: Guam Red Cross; Kauaʻi’s native birds

The Conversation

Ken Quintanilla, executive director of the Guam Red Cross, delivers recovery updates after Super Typhoon Bavi; animal researchers Dr. Lisa "Cali" Crampton and Justin Hite raise awareness about the decline of Kauaʻi's native birds.

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7/20/2026

The Conversation: Ethics Commission gets new director; Irish pub gets new owner artwork

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The Conversation: Ethics Commission gets new director; Irish pub gets new owner

The Conversation

Sandy Ma discusses her new title as Executive Director and Legal Counsel for the Honolulu Ethics Commission; Business owner Bill Comerford makes his Irish exit as he sells beloved live-music bar Anna O'Brien's.

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7/16/2026

The Conversation: Gov. Green and the National Guard; Hawaiʻi ranks last in business artwork

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The Conversation: Gov. Green and the National Guard; Hawaiʻi ranks last in business

The Conversation

Gov. Josh Green explains why members of Hawaiʻi’s National Guard are deployed in the nation’s capital; Sherry Menor, President and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, reacts to the state scoring last on CNBC’s Top States for Business ranking.

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7/14/2026

The Conversation: Makaha Mangoes; A look at Liquefied Natural Gas artwork

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The Conversation: Makaha Mangoes; A look at Liquefied Natural Gas

The Conversation

Mark Suiso, of Makaha Mangoes, shares tips on mango farming and explains why mango season is late this year; HPR and Canary Media team up to report on the debate around Liquefied Natural Gas.

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7/13/2026

The Conversation: Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago; Record-breaking solo row artwork

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The Conversation: Chief Elections Officer Scott Nago; Record-breaking solo row

The Conversation

Hawaiʻi Chief Election Officer Scott Nago discusses preparations for the primary elections; rower and social media sensation Kelsey Pfendler celebrates her record-breaking solo rowing voyage from California.

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7/9/2026

The Conversation: Super Typhoon Bavi strikes Rota; New Driver’s License artwork

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The Conversation: Super Typhoon Bavi strikes Rota; New Driver’s License

The Conversation

Northern Mariana Islands journalist Thomas Mangloña II shares his firsthand account of the destruction left by Super Typhoon Bavi; Hawaiʻi locals and city officials share their thoughts on the Driver’s License redesign.

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7/8/2026

The Conversation: Bringing golf back to Hawaiʻi; Funding foster youth artwork

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The Conversation: Bringing golf back to Hawaiʻi; Funding foster youth

The Conversation

A new pro golf tournament, Play Hawaiʻi Golf, is being organized to replace The Sentry tournament by the PGA Tour; Maui philanthropist Ed Freedman talks about funding investment accounts for Hawaiʻi foster youth.

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7/7/2026

The Conversation: New UH Chancellor; Street psychiatry artwork

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The Conversation: New UH Chancellor; Street psychiatry

The Conversation

Vassilis Syrmos, the new Chancellor of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, speaks with HPR about his new role; Honolulu street psychiatrist Chad Koyanagi shares his story helping those suffering on the streets.

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7/6/2026

The Conversation: Super Typhoon Bavi; Supreme Court ruling reflections artwork

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The Conversation: Super Typhoon Bavi; Supreme Court ruling reflections

The Conversation

HPR’s Cassie Ordonio reports on a super typhoon passing through Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands; Common Cause Hawaii director Camron Hurt discusses the U.S. Supreme Court’s final rulings for 2026.

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7/2/2026

The Conversation: Hawaiian history on display; Top Chef winner artwork

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The Conversation: Hawaiian history on display; Top Chef winner

The Conversation

HPR contributor Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton shares Kānaka opinions on Hawaiian artifacts kept in museums; Hawai’i Island Chef Rhoda Magbitang celebrates her recent “Top Chef” season 23 win.

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6/30/2026

The Conversation: Birthright citizenship ruling; Maya Soetoro-Ng artwork

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The Conversation: Birthright citizenship ruling; Maya Soetoro-Ng

The Conversation

ACLU of Hawaiʻi Legal Director Wookie Kim speaks on the U.S. Supreme Court rulings on birthright citizenship and transgender athletes; Maya Soetoro-Ng, sister to Barack Obama, reflects on the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.

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6/29/2026

The Conversation: RIMPAC 2026, Surf Film Festival artwork

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The Conversation: RIMPAC 2026, Surf Film Festival

The Conversation

Ann Wright, retired United States Army colonel and peace activist, speaks out against RIMPAC 2026; Filmmakers Anna Trent Moore and Ronald Moore share their film about legendary big wave surfer Buzzy Trent.

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6/26/2026

The Conversation: a Hana Hou show on Title IX artwork

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The Conversation: a Hana Hou show on Title IX

The Conversation

The Conversation marks the 54th anniversary of Title IX by highlighting past guests who championed the landmark legislation for academic gender equality.

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6/25/2026

The Conversation: Gun limits struck down, Red Hill settlement artwork

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The Conversation: Gun limits struck down, Red Hill settlement

The Conversation

HPR speaks with attorney Kevin O’Grady about the recent Supreme Court decision striking public property gun restrictions; attorney Kristina Baehr shares updates on the court settlements from the Red Hill fuel spill lawsuit.

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