Emergency management experts say to be prepared we should have a two-week supply of food and water on hand, a battery operated radio and several other safety related items. Good advice. How many of us follow it? In the next KĀKOU: Hawai‘i’s Town Hall we will bring together community leaders and emergency management experts to discuss this question, “Are We Really Ready for a Natural Disaster?”

The city of Honolulu is set to open its controversial, delayed and overbudget rail project in June or at least the first 10-plus miles of it from East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium. The project has been plagued with problems almost from the beginning and there are lingering questions about the project’s financing. PBS Hawai‘i is bringing together stakeholders from city government, business leaders, and community members to discuss this next step in KĀKOU: Hawai‘i’s Town Hall, Honolulu Rail: Worth the Wait?

Thousands of Hawaiʻi high school graduates head out of state every year for an education and opportunity beyond school. Many do not come back. The reasons are varied but they include issues that have been talked about for decades including the lack of affordable housing and the high cost of living compared to other communities on the mainland. Itʻs a stressful decision too many of our state’s best and brightest have to make.

In the next KĀKOU: Hawai‘i’s Town Hall, we will bring together decision makers, including law enforcement representatives and other stakeholders, in a live 90-minute program, How Do We Keep Habitual Offenders Off Our Roads?

All four Hawai‘i counties are issuing concealed carry permits to gun owners following a U.S. Supreme court ruling last summer that expanded gun rights. PBS Hawai‘i is bringing together community leaders and citizens with varied perspectives to discuss next steps.

Does Hawai‘i have a plan to combat beach erosion? What can residents do to help? Is there hope? Join us on KAKOU: HAWAIʻI'S TOWN HALL: Climate Change-Our Disappearing Beaches where PBS Hawai‘i is bringing together multiple stakeholders to discuss this real and frightening problem.

So, where are the workers? PBS Hawai‘i is bringing together industry representatives, organized labor leaders, workers, economists and workforce trainers to discuss this issue in a live 90-minute program.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a frightening vulnerability here that has been decades in the making; Hawaiʻi’s reliance on imported food which is estimated at 85 to 90 percent. Native Hawaiians were self-sufficient for centuries. Studies have shown that although a complete shift back to ancient ways is not feasible, the adoption of a sustainability mentality would go a long way. How do we as a community achieve this? What are the first steps and how do we get buy-in to make change?

Hawai‘i’s visitor count has come roaring back much quicker than experts predicted from the nearly empty days during the past year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The resurgence of visitors has raised concerns from the community to limit the number of tourists. Join us for KĀKOU: Hawaiʻi's Town Hall where we'll discuss what the possible next steps are for our number one industry.

PBS Hawaiʻi visited communities and asked residents a series of questions on tourism. We asked. You answered.