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 American Civil Liberties Union argues that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to overly restrict access to mifepristone, a medication used for abortions and miscarriage management. A Hawaiʻi doctor and health care associations are suing over the restrictions.
The Honolulu City Council is moving along a resolution that would require the commission’s vetting process to include obtaining and reviewing references from candidates’ peers, supervisors and subordinates, and completing background checks and performance evaluations.