Bill Dorman

The Year of the Snake has brought celebrations in Hawaiʻi and across Asia. It's also brought a lot of travel. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

As Hawaiʻi's population ages, caregiving is getting more attention from both residents and policymakers. South Korea is testing a new program that may provide insights that could be used elsewhere — including here. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

The final statistics are in and 2024 was a record year for tourism. Not for Hawaiʻi, but for Japan. HPRʻs Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

The pace of government action is about to pick up on both the state and national levels. The state Legislature opens Wednesday, and next week brings the presidential inauguration. However, in the Asia Pacific, some quieter government discussions are underway that may have a broad regional impact. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

President-elect Donald Trump made some news earlier this week by suggesting he would rename the Gulf of Mexico and call it the Gulf of America. It's an example of geography, politics and history colliding on a map. And it's not the only example. HPR's Bill Dorman explains in today's Asia Minute.

You may have heard the news that two of Japan's leading automakers are talking about joining forces to create the third-largest car company in the world. However, in many ways, Nissan and Honda make an unusual combination. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

Hawaiʻi needs more medical care, and that includes nurses. According to the Hawaiʻi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, the state will have a shortage of more than 3,300 nurses next year. This is also a growing concern in Japan, where the government is taking new steps to address it. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

This week's visit to Hawaiʻi by the president of Taiwan has made headlines around the world. Taiwan's government has said the president's trip to several Pacific island nations could lead to another round of Chinese military exercises in the South China Sea. But the activities of another regional power are also drawing attention. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

About 80 million Americans are traveling more than 50 miles for Thanksgiving this year. That's according to the American Automobile Association. But travel is a year-round activity, and several countries in Asia are taking steps to boost their visitor industries in 2025. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.

Tourism has been at the heart of Hawaiʻi's economy since the 1970ʻs. The visitor industry has gone through different phases here, and in other parts of the Asia Pacific. And in Australia, there's an area that's seeing some new growth. HPR's Bill Dorman has more in today's Asia Minute.