Ready for showtime: (left to right) HPR producer Kevin Allen, 'The Conversation' host Catherine Cruz, HPR producer Lillian Tsang, and Kevin Rebello outside the HPU Esports Arena at Aloha Tower Marketplace before the live broadcast.
HPU’s Esports Arena at Aloha Tower Marketplace traded game controllers for microphones last month when they hosted Hawaii Public Radio's popular talk program The Conversation, the show's second on the road visit to HPU in recent months.
With Honolulu Harbor just beyond the arena's doors, host Catherine Cruz devoted the hour to the working waterfront. She sat down with Dre Kalili, deputy director of harbors for the state Department of Transportation, for a discussion on harbor construction, hurricane preparedness and the department's clean energy goals. Shannon McKee, president of travel consulting firm Access Cruise, Inc., followed with a look at trends in Hawaiʻi cruise activity and a forecast for a strong year ahead.
Listeners also heard from cruise passengers sharing their thoughts on the Green Fee and its additional tax for cruises in Hawaiʻi, from lawyers representing the cruise industry and the state debating the legality of the fee for cruise ships, and from Rep. Adrian Tam, chair of the House Tourism Committee, who explained why a potential compromise died in committee.
HPU Esports Manager Kevin Rebollo prepared the arena for the live show, ensuring the production ran smoothly from soundcheck to sign-off. The University extends a special mahalo to everyone at HPR and HPU who made the partnership possible and looks forward to the next installment of The Conversation on the road at HPU.
To listen to the full episode, click here.
