Wayne Yoshioka is an award-winning journalist who has worked in television, print and radio in Hawaiʻi. He also has been on both sides of politics as a state departmental appointee and political/government reporter. He covered Hurricane Iwa (1982) as a TV reporter; was the State Department of Defense/Civil Defense spokesperson for Hurricane Iniki (1992); and, commanded a public affairs detachment in Afghanistan (2006). He has a master's degree in Communication from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and is a decorated combat veteran (Legion of Merit, Bronze Star and 22 other commendation/service medals). He resides in Honolulu.
The Voter Participation Center sent 17,000 postcards to residents who are not registered to vote. The postcard includes a QR code that will take the person to the Hawaiʻi Office of Elections website, where they can register.
A lawsuit challenges Hawaiʻi's new tourist tax on cruise ship passengers, claiming it is unconstitutional. Gov. Josh Green signed the legislation in May. It boosts taxes to address climate change issues like eroding shorelines and wildfires. Starting next year, an 11% tax will be levied on cruise ship bills.