This week Helping Hand previews the 2017 Footsteps to Transition Fair, tomorrow, Saturday October 21 at Windward Community College, 8:30 a.m. to noon for middle and high school students with special needs and their loved ones from across Oahu to assist in critical details of making transitions to adult life.

Two recent ground-breakings in Kapolei represent significant additions to their respective markets. Pacific Business News Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier has more on what it means for local businesses.

Painters are recording our lives in Hawai‘i today—what do they see? What do they have to say? Four young painters, survey the landscape, brushes loaded.

State lawmakers focused on affordable housing for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries today. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Reggae legends Black Uhuru have returned to the Aloha State, following a visit in May. This time, the tour starts tonight at the Blue Note, before hitting the Poipu Beach Athletic Club Friday, Uncle Roberts in Pahoa Saturday, and the MACC Sunday.

Events are being held across the state in October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. While domestic abuse is often associated with physical violence, pscyhological abuse is the wound no one can see.  HPR's Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi has this story. 

Research that reframes our thoughts about one of the biggest events in Hawaiʻi's history is sparking conversations.

The Great Māhele of 1848 changed landownership laws in Hawaiʻi forever by allowing private ownership of land. The conventional understanding is the māhele was key in native Hawaiians being dispossessed of land.

Geographer Donovan Preza uncovered information that departs from this storyline. His research argues the māhele helped secure Hawaiian rights in land rather than destroy them.

Preza explains:

Water can be a contentious subject, especially in East Maui, where streams have long been diverted for sugar. Now, a battle to restore these streams is coming to an end. We get more from contributing HPR reporter Colleen Uechi of The Maui News.

It’s been nearly a decade since the Superferry made its inaugural voyage to Kahului, Maui.   And, the feasibility of another interisland ferry came up during the Hawai’i Economic Association annual conference last week. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The wet season is nearly upon us in the islands – which may or may not bring relief to drier parts of the state this year.

A statewide coalition of health professionals, educators, business and community representatives are teaming up to record oral health data in Hawai’i. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

The Hawai‘i State Archives is joining the centennial commemoration of Queen Lili‘uokalani’s death with a unique viewing of Kingdom era flags, and, next week, an open house.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports a more complete picture is emerging of Hawai‘i’s last queen. 

Fire investigators have not been able to determine the source of the deadly Marco Polo fire.

The Hawai’i Economic Association Annual Conference last week focused on transportation of goods into the state. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

On Stargazer, we get a heads-up on a major celestial announcement as HPR All Things Considered Host Dave Lawrence speaks with Christopher Phillips.    

This week on Helping Hand, it’s distinguished returning guest Special Olympics Hawaii, offering participation in individual and team sports for intellectually disabled community members, and for people without intellectual disabilities in inspiring unified sports teams.

Amazon has embarked on a massive expansion. What does that mean for retail in America and for Hawaii? Pacific Business News editor-in-chief A. Kam Napier has more.

With over fifty years in the entertainment industry, Burt Bacharach, at 89, has truly earned the title of living legend. You may have heard him supporting Hawaii Public Radio during our recent pledge drive.

The state is hosting a Telehealth Summit this week with the goal of developing statewide coverage. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. 

Fiji gained independence from British colonial rule nearly 50 years ago, this month. For Fijians in the South Pacific and around the world, this is a day for celebration. Here in Hawai’i, celebration means partaking in the Fijian drink of choice. HPR’s Ku’uwehi Hiraishi has this story.

The State’s Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission conducted its first meeting today and received a briefing on a draft sea level rise report.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.

Soil may be one of the keys to offsetting carbon emissions.

The V-A estimates 20 to 22 U-S military veterans commit suicide each day.  One of the programs attempting to lower that rate is at Schofield Barracks this week.  HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports.  

After decades of tracking socio-economic and educational statistics and trends, a UH Mānoa professor charges that people in Hawai‘i appear to be quite tolerant of ethnic inequality.  Professor Jonathan Okamura says ethnic inequality here plays out in the same way racism does in other places.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa reports.

For Stargazer we hear about some prime viewing opportunities in our dark island skies, and get an update on a mysteriously dimming celestial object we’ve followed for some time, as HPR All Things Considered Host Dave Lawrence speaks with Christopher Phillips.

Two pottery pieces labeled “Atomic Ware” were delivered to Japan last week. As HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports, the unique artifacts were found during a garage sale in Hawai’i Kai. 

Studies have shown that learning a second language has multiple benefits for intelligence, memory, and concentration. But who wants to learn Spanish or Chinese? Everyone speaks that. You want a real challenge? Try a constructed language like Klingon or Dothraki. HPR’s Ku’uwehi Hiraishi delves into the world of made-up languages with a local linguist attempting to construct his own.

From October 12th to October 15th, the Aloha State gets a visit from an extraordinary legend in the world of show business: Burt Bacharach.

Guitar monster Tommy Emmanuel is playing Honolulu Thursday through Sunday at the Blue Note, and then on the Valley Isle Monday at the MACC, touring to support his latest release, Live at the Ryman.