This special edition of Insights on PBS Hawai‘i goes beyond the usual prepared talking points and sound bites to bring voters a live, loosely structured conversation with incumbent Mayor Kirk Caldwell, and his leading challengers – Peter Carlisle and Charles Djou.

In this election year, the next topic is Politics and Small Business. Hawai‘i’s small businesses are a mainstay of our local economy. Yet our state is consistently ranked among the lowest in the country for friendliness to small business.

INSIGHTS kicks off Election 2016 coverage with an overview discussion on key local races and the issues driving these races – including the messy Presidential contest, local elections for Mayor and your district’s state representative. Leaders from Hawai‘i’s Democratic and Republican parties, along with political analysts, take a look at what’s at stake.

In Hawai‘i, an average of 50 people die each year from the abuse of prescription painkillers. Are doctors prescribing too many pills to help manage pain?   Your questions and comments are welcome via phone, email and via Twitter during the Live Broadcast.

We continue to examine The Fatherless Factor. Studies show that children who grow up without an involved father experience more behavioral problems and achieve lower academic success than those who have Dad around.

The number of fatherless households is rising, according to a study by the Hawai‘i State Commission on Fatherhood. What’s behind this upward trend? And how does it affect children to grow up without a father at home?   Your questions and comments are welcome via phone, email and via Twitter during the Live Broadcast.

Service animals provide essential support for those with disabilities, and the law says all establishments must allow them access. But what about comfort animals that provide emotional support? INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI‘I discusses both types of working animals, and whether comfort animals have a place alongside service animals.

Home to 10,000 threatened species and 44 percent of the rare plants in the nation, the Hawaiian Islands are known as the endangered species capital of the world. What will it take to keep these threatened species from becoming extinct? INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI‘I explores the challenges to safeguard Hawai‘i’s fragile ecosystems.

The Honolulu Zoo lost its accreditation after the Association of Zoos and Aquariums determined that the zoo receives inadequate funding from the City and community partners, and suffers from inconsistent leadership and political wrangling. City leaders vow to turn things around.

With news of another dolphin encounter program coming to Hawai‘i, INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI‘I examines the debate over marine mammals’ life in captivity. Is it right to hold marine mammals in captivity for entertainment or research purposes? Dolphins, sea lions, and seals are mainstay attractions at venues across the country.