Off the News: From jokes to help for the hungry

During a Friday radiothon fundraiser for the Hawaii Foodbank, singer Paula Fuga recalled her childhood hunger when she used to be homeless, having to get food out of a trash can. But instead of empathizing about the hardship — endured by many here, including keiki — DJs “Slick Vic” Harris and “KreyZ” Oshiro joked initially about it, then again later even as Fuga became visibly upset. Both DJs have since been removed from their Island 98.5 morning gig over the “highly insensitive” comments, said the station’s general manager.

From this unfortunate episode comes one positive: iHeartRadio Honolulu and Fuga will be launching a statewide campaign to end hunger. Let’s hope that help for hungry people will include helpings of kindness.