Mark Ladao
News ProducerMark Ladao moved to Hawaiʻi as a teenager and graduated from Moanalua High School. He graduated from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa with a bachelor's in biology and, later, in journalism. He was a general assignment reporter at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser for four years before coming to Hawaiʻi Public Radio as a news producer in 2023. He usually spends his free time rewatching Amélie.
Contact him at mladao@hawaiipublicradio.org.
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The Community Representation Initiative for Red Hill announced this week that chemicals, also known as PFAS, have been found in the Navy’s water system. The detections were found at homes at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
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State lawmakers approved a bill to protect local macadamia nut farmers. It now awaits the governor’s signature to become law. Similar to a coffee labeling measure passed this year, the macadamia nut bill would require sold packages to indicate if they contain foreign-grown nuts.
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For two weeks 17 “bellwether” families shared how they were affected after the 2021 leak from the Navy’s fuel tanks into its water system, which serves 93,000 people.
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The Friends of Haʻikū Stairs argued in court last week that the removal would cause irreparable damage. A judge has denied the group's request, moving the demolition forward. The city said that workers are not expected to fly any of the stair modules off the mountain for at least a few days because of current weather conditions.
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As it stands, only 10% of coffee in packages labeled "Hawaiʻi grown" must be sourced locally. Growers say that's deceptive to buyers and harmful to the local industry. New legislation awaiting the governor's signature would require roasted, instant or ready-to-drink coffee marketed as "locally sourced" to have at least 51% local coffee. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.
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Agricultural declaration forms for passengers flying to Hawaiʻi could go digital due to a measure passed in this year's legislative session. State Sen. Glenn Wakai, who introduced the measure, said the paper forms don't really protect the state from invasive species. The state has been using paper forms since 1950. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.
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This week, state senators held a briefing to get an update on the nurseries that have been knowingly selling plant material infested with little fire ants, one of the most problematic invasive species in Hawaiʻi.
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Senate Bill 3202 would allow two accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, to be built on residential properties. Most of the opposition came from lawmakers who represent urban Honolulu.
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It’s the end of the state’s legislative session, and lawmakers have made it clear that invasive species are a top priority. The state Department of Agriculture is receiving substantial support for its invasive species programs and staff.
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The city wants to build 18,000 affordable housing units by fiscal year 2029, according to its 2023 housing plan, but the availability of land and city funding continue to be two of some of the most expensive obstacles to doing that.
