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The Conversation: Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016

Cigarette Tax; Coral Health; Youth Sports Concussions; Musicians Nick and Danny Kaleikini

SB2690, Increase Excise Tax on Cigarettes and Little Cigars: Tom Yamachika

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Tom Yamachika

You’ve probably heard someone say that if you want to stop people from buying a certain product, just heavily tax it. That link between taxation and how to influence behavior is apparent in a measure still on the move this session. It would increase the cigarette and small cigar tax. This morning the House Health Committee will consider Senate bill 2690’s latest draft which ditched the actual amount of the tax, the allocation of revenue  and the effective date to facilitate further discussion - that’s the line that frequently shows up to focus on the intent and not the specifics of a bill . And the intent of this bill is at the heart of comments made by the Tax Foundation of Hawaii. It’s President, Tom Yamachika joins us now.

Intro Music: Gilded Age by Lotus

Outro Music: Taxman by Karl Latham, Mark Eaganand and Vic Juris

Aquarium Lecture on Corals: Dr. Ruth Gates

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Ruth Gates

Credit Wikipedia
Bleached coral

Worldwide concern is growing over the continuing decline of coral reefs as our understanding grows of their essential role in marine ecosystems. It’s a bleak picture, but Dr. Ruth Gates, Director of the University of Hawaii’s Institute of Marine Biology, sees signs of hope. She looks at some especially resilient corals and says there are ways their resilience can become a resource for others. She’s giving a talk on the subject as part of the Waikiki aquarium’s Distinguished Lecture Series, and she’s on the line with us this morning.

Intro Music: Mele Pau`ole by Pat Simmons & HAPA
Outro Music: Team Zissou by Seu Jorge

SB2557, Youth Concussion Education Program : Nathan Maruta

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Nathan Maruta

Credit Wikipedia

Interscholastic sports and youth sports leagues are often touted as character builders. Of late, concern over the concussion potential and later trauma influenced behavior of contacts sports including football and hockey has made some parents think twice about allowing their kids to participate. Locally, calls for better training have found root in a measure to expand the youth concussion education program for middle schoolers, with money appropriated to the UH  Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science. Nathan Maruta is the Chair of the department and is on the phone with us.

                                                                                                         Intro Music: Funeral Beds by The Districts
                                                                                                           Outro Music: Fearless Riddin by Head Concussions

"Aloooha" EP release, Nicholas and Danny Kaleikini

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Nicholas and Danny Kaleikini

Credit kaleikinimusic.com
Nick (L) and Danny (R) Kaleikini

The title of the recording “Alooooha” should give you all the hint you need. For decades, it was singer Danny Kaleikini’s signature greeting. Danny retired more than 20 years ago, but the music has never left him, and now his grandson Nicholas has become a keeper of the flame. “Aloooha” is the first collaboration a reworking of Hawaiian music classics with a modern perspective; Nick and Danny are in our studio to tell us about it.

Intro Music: Akaka Falls by Nicholas and Danny Kaleikini

Outro Music: Einei Kuu Hoaaloha by Nicholas and Danny Kaleikini

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