Emily Tom

Wildfires have devastated Maui and Hawaiʻi Island. Firefighters and crew are responding to the burning buildings and fatalities as they try to wrangle the flames under control.

Hop on a nine-seater plane to Molokaʻi and you'll find miles of farmland and a tight-knit community. Often known as the “Friendly Isle,” Molokaʻi has had its fair share of land and food struggles — especially when the pandemic isolated families from crucial access to basic resources.

Last month saw record-setting heat waves sweeping across the country. Hawaiʻi may not be part of the continent, but that doesn't mean the islands are in the clear. Coral is the foundation of ocean ecosystems, providing for countless other organisms.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation recently announced the results of "Operation Cross Country," a nationwide sweep targeting sex traffickers. The effort involved local police departments, non-profit groups and more. Read and listen to the full story from The Conversation's Catherine Cruz.

The military plans to begin defueling millions of gallons of fuel at its Red Hill facility in a little over two months. The Joint Task Force invited members of the House Special Committee on Red Hill to tour the area last week.

Imagine trying to make ends meet while living on an island owned by one of the richest people in the world. That’s the reality for some residents on Lānaʻi, who say the power dynamics of land control can get… complicated. In this episode, we talk to some of those residents who call Lānaʻi home — and have no plans of leaving.

Before James Dole transformed Lānaʻi into one of the world's largest pineapple plantations, another man set his sights on the island. In 1909, businessman William Irwin bought nearly the entire island of Lānaʻi for $1. But who put it up for sale in the first place?

Sex education is not just about one's health. For Dr. Sara Vogel, it's also about unlearning harmful messages surrounding bodies and sexuality. A Native Hawaiian sex educator from the Big Island, Vogel founded Ladybits and Leadership, an organization aimed at changing the landscape of sexual violence prevention.

The home of high chiefs, kalo farms, and a black sand beach — Waipiʻo Valley is one of the most sacred places on Hawaiʻi Island. But when threats of rockfall restricted access to the only road in and out of the valley, a dispute grew between local residents. Which locals should enter, and who belonged?

Twelve years ago, a nuclear power plant in Fukushima was damaged during a deadly tsunami that struck northeastern Japan. Now the Tokyo Electric Power Company, or TEPCO, is preparing to release radioactive water into the ocean.