In a special 90-minute election doubleheader, INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI‘I features two hotly contested primary election contests:   –State Senate District 23 covers the area from Ka‘a‘a‘wa on the Windward side of O‘ahu to Mokulē‘ia on the North Shore.

INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI‘I presents a series exploring the quality of life on each island, with residents from each island driving the conversations. What issues matter most to each island? These episodes are a precursor to our upcoming Election 2018 coverage. Our first discussion explores the issues most important to the residents of Kaua‘i.

In his 2018 State of the City address, Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced his plan to introduce a bill to take back O‘ahu’s sidewalks to clear the way for their intended use – for pedestrians.

TOP STORY Students from Waiākea High School in Hilo on the Big Island introduce us to a man who’s spreading his motto: “Stay Humble, Pray.” This philosophy grew out of Kyle Quilausing’s experience during a decade in prison.

Hawai‘i continues to be heavily reliant on imports to feed its 1.4 million residents and 8 million visitors. About $3 billion a year is spent to ship in approximately 90 percent of our food, with 6 million pounds of food arriving daily by cargo ships and planes.

TOP STORY Students from Kaua‘i High School in Lihu‘e introduce a new story genre to HIKI NŌ: the Personal Essay. In her essay “The Fact of You,” Kaua‘i High School student Haven Luper-Jasso explores the nature of truth.

The demand in Hawaii for residential rooftop solar permits has declined between 50-70% when you compare any given week in 2012 vs. 2016. The reasons have been widely reported and debated.

State Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, who has represented District 13 for 26 years, is retiring at the end of this term, leaving this local race without an incumbent. District 13 includes a portion of Downtown Honolulu and the outlying neighborhoods of Nu‘uanu and Liliha.

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.