Covering the Cost

Covering the Cost

Locals say we’re “lucky we live Hawaii,” but at what cost? Join Annalisa Burgos as she breaks down the numbers behind Hawaii’s affordability crisis in candid conversations with financial experts, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. From skyrocketing housing prices to the country’s highest tax burden, Annalisa is covering the cost of aloha in America’s most expensive state and offering practical strategies, policy insights, and honest talk about what it really takes to call Hawaii home.

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Most Recent Episode

Covering the Cost
Covering the Cost: How to lower the cost of construction and remodeling your home in Hawaii

In this episode of “Covering the Cost” on April 29 at 12:30 p.m., Annalisa Burgos digs into Hawaii’s high cost of home construction with Evan K. Fujimoto, president of local custom residential design-build firm Graham Builders, and Honolulu City Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, who represents District 6 (portions of Kakaako, downtown Honolulu, Chinatown, Punchbowl, Papakōlea, Pauoa Valley, Nuuanu, Iwilei, Liliha, Alewa Heights, Kalihi and Kalihi Valley).

00:49:10
Apr 29, 2026 5:40 PM
Clean

More Episodes

Covering the Cost
Covering the Cost: How to lower the cost of construction and remodeling your home in Hawaii

In this episode of “Covering the Cost” on April 29 at 12:30 p.m., Annalisa Burgos digs into Hawaii’s high cost of home construction with Evan K. Fujimoto, president of local custom residential design-build firm Graham Builders, and Honolulu City Council member Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, who represents District 6 (portions of Kakaako, downtown Honolulu, Chinatown, Punchbowl, Papakōlea, Pauoa Valley, Nuuanu, Iwilei, Liliha, Alewa Heights, Kalihi and Kalihi Valley).

00:49:10
Apr 29, 2026 5:20 PM
Clean
Covering the Cost
The potential cost of the HMSA-HPH merger

Annalisa Burgos talks to Ray Vara, President/CEO of Hawaii Pacific Health (HPH), and Mark Mugiishi, President/CEO of Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA), about their proposed partnership known as “One Health Hawaii.” UHERO health economist Tim Halliday will also weigh in on the impact of the proposed merger in light of current health economic policies.

00:47:22
Apr 15, 2026 3:32 PM
Clean
Covering the Cost
The cost of AI-driven scams after Kona low storms, disaster recovery

Annalisa Burgos talks with Blair Bautista, a cybersecurity and AI governance expert with GR Consultants (Governance, Risk & Compliance), about the cost of AI-driven scams that rise after disasters, including the current recovery efforts after the recent Kona low storms.

00:31:08
Apr 1, 2026 4:40 PM
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Covering the Cost
The cost of Hawaii residents having the highest tax burden in the U.S.

Annalisa Burgos talks with Tom Yamachika from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii about finding savings in our tax returns.

00:36:57
Mar 18, 2026 1:15 PM
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Covering the Cost
The cost of energy and the highest electric bills in the U.S.
Annalisa Burgos sits down with energy policy expert Henry Curtis of nonprofit Life of the Land
00:36:08
Mar 4, 2026 6:43 PM
Clean
Covering the Cost
The cost of consumer fraud
Annalisa Burgos sits down with Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) to disucss the cost of consumer fraud and deceptive business practices.
00:27:14
Feb 26, 2026 4:38 PM
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Covering the Cost
The cost of keeping local working families in Hawaii

Annalisa Burgos talks to Josh Wisch of nonprofit Holomua Collective, who says the outmigration of middle-income workers negatively impacts the local economy.

00:30:21
Feb 19, 2026 11:37 AM
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Covering the Cost
The cost of building truly affordable housing

In this episode of “Covering the Cost with Annalisa Burgos,” Annalisa talks with Kimo Carvalho, executive director of HomeAid Hawaii, a local nonprofit developer that builds deeply affordable housing solutions for those experiencing or at-risk of homelessness.

She also talks to Dean Minakami, executive director of the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation about new programs to help lower the barriers to homeownership through lower mortgage rates and downpayment assistance.

00:37:13
Feb 5, 2026 1:41 PM
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Covering the Cost
The cost of starting a business in Hawaii

Annalisa Burgos sits down with Meli James from Hawaii Venture Capital Association and Mana Up to discuss what it takes to be an entrepreneur in Hawaii.

00:33:30
Jan 29, 2026 11:55 AM
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Covering the Cost
New online tool shows disparities between communities on basic needs

Annalisa Burgos sits down with Hawaii Appleseed to find out how its Economic Justice Data Dashboard can help focus government spending in Hawaii.

00:33:58
Jan 29, 2026 11:50 AM
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