Former KUMU co-host Mandy has a snack-making business

Question: I miss Mandy on morning radio. What happened? What is she doing now?

Answer: Mandy Suganuma, the former co-host of KUMU 94.7 FM’s “Rise & Drive Morning Show,” was let go in March, and has since focused on building a gourmet snack and cupcake business, Mandy’s Munchies.

She’s open to another radio gig if the right offer comes along.

Another reader also asked why she “had left KUMU,” but Suganuma said the departure wasn’t voluntary.

“I didn’t leave; I was asked to leave because the station ‘decided to go in another direction.’ Pretty standard line. … It wasn’t dramatic or anything,” Suganuma told Kokua Line via Facebook messaging. “After 15 years there, I had pretty much made peace with the fact that that’s the way things go in radio. I love radio. I’ve always thought of it as a privilege to be in the business and I don’t think it’s quite done with me but the (right) next gig hasn’t come along just yet. In the meantime, I’ve always had a passion for cooking so I started my own business. … It’s in the super early stages.”

Mandy’s Munchies ­(mandysmunchies.com) features homemade, flavored marshmallows (coconut, lili­koi or li hing mui) and candied pecans, as well as custom cupcakes. Visit the website, call 722-8632 or email mandymunchieshawaii@gmail.com for information about ordering. Some packaged snacks are sold at Sweet Treats by Kris in Waipahu at the old Ara­kawa’s building, 94-333 Waipahu Depot St.

Meanwhile, Suganuma’s former radio show rolls along, with co-host Devon Nekoba now partnered with TeHani Gonzado. KUMU’s program manager declined to discuss Suganuma’s departure, saying it is against company policy to comment on personnel matters.

Q: Sometimes it is reported that DLNR has cited hikers for trespassing on private land or on closed public lands. The news will say the hikers “were cited” or “received citations.” But what does that mean? Are there fines involved? Do they have to go to court? Can they dispute the ticket? If it’s a tourist, can they just go home and forget about the citation? I am wondering what penalty the citation brings.

A: Dan W. Dennison, a spokesman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, responded to your questions:

“There are generally fines associated with citations, but the amount of the ultimate fine is left to the courts. These citations do require a court appearance and failure to appear can lead to an arrest warrant (similar to failing to show for a traffic ticket). It’s up to individuals to call the court to explain circumstances which may prevent them from making their court date and again entirely up to the court as to whether to reschedule, etc. As with any citation, they can dispute the ticket.”

Social media has popularized Hawaii trails, waterfalls and other natural spots that once attracted fewer people. DLNR cracked down on hikers and other nature enthusiasts who trespass to reach their destinations. One example, which we believe inspired your questions: DLNR issued trespassing citations to 49 adults and warnings to 14 minors last weekend in the closed Kohala Forest Reserve on Hawaii island. The DLNR said hikers admitted crawling over two locked gates and ignoring numerous “closed” and “no trespassing” signs to reach the man-made water flume on what’s known as the White Road hike.

Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.