Crystal methamphetamine or “ice” remains the top illicit drug in Hawaiʻi but fentanyl use is on the rise, with deadly consequences. The synthetic opioid killed a record number of people across the islands last year, according to the State Health Department. And there is no sign that it is letting up.

How productive was this year’s legislative session, which started with a new administration, a large freshman class of lawmakers and promises to address perennial issues like the lack of affordable housing and homelessness?

Hawaiʻi, like the rest of the country, is experiencing a mental health crisis among its youth. Concern has been growing for years with the situation amplified by the pandemic. Reports indicate a rise in suicide and self-harm, as young people face a number of challenges that range from bullying to depression and isolation to the pressures created on and by social media. With limited resources, many are wondering how can we help our struggling youth?

Aloha Stadium has been closed for more than two years. Fans said a final goodbye in February. The initial plan to replace the stadium included an entertainment district with hotel rooms, retail outlets, housing units and more. Then that plan was put on hold, and then it came back with a different twist and then things kind of stopped. So we’re asking, What’s Up With Aloha Stadium?

Beautiful hiking trails are among the many attractions Hawaiʻi has to offer. Every year, dozens of people are rescued from these trails for varying reasons. In many cases, those being rescued should never have been on the trail in the first place because the trail was closed to the public or otherwise off limits. A bill making its way through the Legislature would require government entities to seek reimbursement for some or all of the cost of the rescue.

State lawmakers created the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority in 1998 to, among other things, promote Hawaiʻi. Now, there are competing efforts in this year’s legislative session to reshape the HTA or even dissolve it completely. Join the discussion on the Future of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority Thursday at 7:30 pm on Insights on PBS Hawaiʻi.

Oʻahu homeowners want relief from rising property taxes that skyrocketed due to significant double-digit increases in the assessed value of their properties. The city administration has proposed a one-time $300 property tax credit to qualified homeowners. Is that enough?

Hawaiʻi’s dire lack of affordable housing has been deemed a crisis for decades and yet nothing seems to change. In the 2022 election, candidates for office at the state and county levels across multiple political parties said solving the problem should be a priority. So what is being done? Join the conversation on Affordable Housing, Is It Possible? Thursday at 7:30 pm on Insights on PBS Hawai’i.

There is a multi-million dollar initiative to expand preschool options across the state. Ready Keiki aims to open dozens of new preschool classrooms next year, with hundreds more being created over the next decade. With the clock already ticking, how close is the state to meeting its first goal? And will it be enough to fill the gaps in availability and affordability facing many families?

A year ago, there was public outrage when a former state senator and a sitting state representative were charged with accepting bribes to steer legislation. Since then, dozens of measures have been introduced with the goals of fighting corruption and increasing transparency and accountability in state government? What bills have a chance of becoming law and can the public trust elected officials to regulate themselves when it comes to the issue of corruption?