Hawai'i Radio Hour at Kahilu

Aloha kākou! On the Jan. 4, 2025, show we talk to one of Hawaiʻiʻs most inspiring stewards of ʻaina: Aunty Cindi Punihaeole. For our ʻike kūpuna segment we are going to learning more about the concept of Kilo. And we will be hearing mele from Kohalaʻs own, Lorna Lim, who sings "Polinahe" from Kalani Peʻaʻs Christmas concert at Kahilu. And we will finish with a moʻolelo from Rebekah Lussi...

Aloha kākou! On the Dec. 28, 2025, we are highlighting some of our most treasured moʻolelo told from the Kahilu Theatre stage. The show this week is hosted by the Hawaiʻi Storytelling Fellows, Gilian Santiago and Mahealani duPont, and features stories from Kalena and Kalaʻe Parish, Chelsey Dickson and Debbie Roberts. Moʻolelo, moʻolelo and more moʻolelo... All on the Dec. 28, 2025, episode of the...

Aloha kākou! On the Dec. 21, 2025, we are highlighting wonderful holiday music from the Kahilu Theatre stage. The show this week is hosted by the Hawaiʻi Storytelling Fellows, Gilian Santiago and Mahealani duPont, and features holiday music from Kalani Peʻa, Jake Shimabukuro, Henry Kapono, Blayne Asing, Britni Paiva and the Waimea Community Choir. Mele, mele and more mele... All on the Dec. 21, 20...

Aloha kākou! On the Dec. 14, 2025, show we talk about a word we use all the time on the program: Moʻolelo. Kuʻulei Keakealani helps us understand the intricacies of moʻolelo. For our ʻike kūpuna segment we are going to be listening to Lopaka Kapanui. And we will be hearing mele about the Kumulipo from Kumu Micah Kamohoaliʻi and Halau Na Kipuʻupuʻu. And we will finish with a moʻolelo about Puakea F...

Aloha mai kākou! This week’s show was recorded in front of a live audience at Kahilu on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025. This show features Mileka Lincoln’s interview with Micah Kāne, the new head of Parker Ranch. For our ʻike kūpuna segment we take a closer look at kapa making with Roen Hufford. And we will be hearing mele from Amy Hanaiali’i. And we will finish with a moʻolelo from Elizabeth Pickett, one...

Aloha kākou! On the Nov. 30, 2025, show we return to taking a closer look at the military leases of state-owned land and future of governance on Mauna Kea by speaking with Dr. Noe Noe Wong-Wilson. For our ʻike kūpuna segment we are going to be listening to Aunty Shirley Kauhaihao talking about how to prepare ‘ulu. And we will be hearing mele from Nobuntu a trio from Zimbabwe. And we will finish wi...

Aloha kākou on the Nov. 23, 2025, show, hosted by Mahealani duPont and Naka Nathaniel,  we return to taking a closer look at the 23rd Annual Slack Key Guitar and Ukulele festival held at Kahilu Nov. 14 and 15. Jeff Peterson discusses the intricacies of ki ho’alu, the Hawaiian slack key guitar. And we hear the mega-jam with Nathan Aweau, Sonny Lim, Emma Coloma-Nakano, Ledward Kaapana, Jeff Peterson...

Aloha kākou! On the Nov. 16, 2025, show, we revisit a few of our favorite moʻolelo and share something new from one of our in-person shows. For our ʻike kūpuna and mele segments we are going to be listening to Aunty Doreen Kama. And we will share moʻolelo from Max and Ippy Aiona, father-and-son restaurateurs from Waimea. And we will finish with a moʻolelo from Gilian Santiago.  News, ‘ike kūpuna,...

Aloha kākou on the Nov. 9, 2025, show we return to taking a closer look at the future of governance on Mauna Kea. For our ʻike kūpuna segment we are going to be listening to Aunty Pua Case talking about what keeps her up at night when it comes to our most precious resource - wai. And we will be hearing mele from the Grammy-nominated and multi-Nā Hoku Hanohano award winner, Amy Hanaialiʻi. And we w...

Aloha kākou on the Nov. 2, 2025, show we will take a closer look at the Micronesian community in Hawaii. For our ʻike kūpuna segment we are going to be listening to Uncle Willy Kaupiko talk about fishing for opelu. And we will be hearing mele from Slack Key musician, Jeff Peterson. And we will finish with a moʻolelo from Kenny Tagavilla – Kenny T –  about bouncing back from a low point in his life...

Aloha mai kākou on todayʻs program we'll be discussing the future decision making process for Mauna Kea with Lanakila Mangauil. For our ʻike kūpuna segment we are going to be listening to Keahualani Marshall about the Kohala field system and ʻuala. We will hear mele from an all star lineup of musicians from last year's Slack Key and Ukulele Festival. And we will finish with a moʻolelo from...

Aloha mai kākou! This episode was ecorded in front an audience at Kahilu Theatre! On the program we'll be talking to Representative Jill Tokuda about the shutdown of the federal government. For our ʻike kūpuna segment we are going to be listening to Rowen Hufford talk about her kapa making practice. We will hear mele from Kanani Kahaunaele from last year's Slack Key and Ukulele Festival. A...

Episode 20: Oct. 12, 2025 Aloha mai kākou on todayʻs program we'll be examining the state of the Hawaiian diaspora (or Hawaiʻi Pāmamao) by talking to those who have returned to Hawaiʻi. For our ʻike kūpuna segment we are going to be listening to Uncle Lloyd Case and the importance of puaʻa here in Hawaiʻi. And we will hear Hoʻopono Wong from last year's Slack Key and Ukulele Festival. And...

Aloha mai kākou on todayʻs program hosted by Kolby Akamu Moser and Naka Nathaniel, weʻre going to be speaking with Rowan Hufford and Andy Behrle about "Ma kāhi o ka hana ola ma laila: Textiles of Moku o Keawe." For our ʻike kūpuna segment we are going to be listening to the lovely singing voice of Aunty Doreen Kama. We will hear “The Spirit of Rice” from taiko master Kenny Endo. And we w...

Aloha mai kākou on todayʻs program hosted by Mileka Lincoln and Naka Nathaniel, weʻre going to be speaking with John de Fries, the executive director of the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority about the future of astronomy on the Mauna. For our ʻike kūpuna segment we are going to be listening to the lovely singing voice of Aunty Doreen Kama. We will hear “Pueo, Tara and Me,” one of the l...

Aloha mai kākou! Itʻs time to get your groove on. Brother Noland and the Island Incredibles are on the Hawaiʻi Radio Hour to make our Sunday afternoon as groovy as it can get here in Hawaiʻi. The program is hosted by Kolby Akamu Moser and Naka Nathaniel and they take a quick look back at Chief of War. Donʻt worry! No spoilers! And we will feature moʻolelo from Fred Peals and his  sweet memories of...

Aloha mai kākou on todayʻs program hosted by Mileka Lincoln and Kolby Akamu Moser  weʻre going to be speaking with Elizabeth Pickett about wildfires and the lessons weʻve learned – and the lessons we still need to learn here in Hawaiʻi. For our ʻike kūpuna segment we are going to be learning about the art of lei lio or making lei for horses from Aunty Audrey Velario. And we will hear mele from Kah...

On this weekʻs program weʻre going to be speaking with Sarah Kehaulani Goo about her new book, “Kuleana.” “Kuleana” is a story about cultural identity, land preservation, and the challenges faced by the Hawaiian diaspora. For our ʻike kūpuna segment we are going to be learning about ʻulu from Aunty Shirley Kauhaihao. And we will hear mele from 4-time Grammy Award winner Kalani Peʻa.  And we will f...

Leading off, we have a hard to believe mo’olelo from the legendary storyteller Boots Lupenui. What makes the story hard-to-believe is that it’s a happy story from Washington, D.C. Next weʻll head down to in Napo’op’oo to hear ʻike kūpuna about ‘opelu fishing and net making from one of the area’s masters - Uncle Chuck Leslie.  For our mele segment  we will hear from ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukur...

On today's episode, a beautiful mo'olelo by Chelsey Dickson about cooking on the deck of the Makali'i. Also, a special performance by Big Island musician Sean Parks and 'ike kūpuna by a 3rd generation Waimea farmer, Earl Yamamoto. News, mele, mo’olelo and ‘Ike kupuna all on this week’s Hawai’i Radio Hour at Kahilu. Mahalo to our sponsors: The Richard Smart Fund of the The Hawaiʻi C...

On todayʻs show we’re going to hear from DC. We sat down with Senator Brian Schatz here in Kahilu Theater to talk about Federal impacts on Hawaii. Weʻll also hear ʻike kūpuna from local paddling legend - Uncle Manny Vincent. Our mele this week features the Mana Music Quartet from their performance at Kahilu this spring of Eddie Kamae’s classic “Ku’u Morning Dew.” And we will finish with a mo’olelo...

On today's episode, we're going to be looking at one of the most water-stressed places in all of Hawai'i. Also, a special performance by 'ukulele legend Brittni Paiva, 'ike kūpuna by a world-renown pahu drum maker from Keaukaha and a mo'olelo about one of the most ancient human arts, weaving. News, mele, mo’olelo and ‘Ike kupuna all on this week’s Hawai’i Radio Hour at Kahilu. Mahalo to our sponso...

On the program today, we will share a story about a pilotʻs daring attempt to deliver supplies to Lahaina days after the fires. Weʻll also hear about the process of gathering ʻike kūpuna. And we will hear mele about the Manu o Ku from Amy Hānaiali'i and a mo’olelo, a story, from Gilian Santiago. News, mele, mo’olelo and ‘iIke kūpuna all on this week’s Hawai’i Radio Hour at Kahilu. Mahalo to ou...

On the program today, weʻre speaking with the mayor of Hawaiʻi County as we continue our look at the way changes in D.C. are affecting us here on Hawaiʻi Island. We also have mele from 'ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro who brought his take on the blues to the stage at Kahilu. News, mele, mo’olelo and ‘iIke kūpuna all on this week’s Hawai’i Radio Hour at Kahilu. Mahalo to our sponsors: The Ric...

On the program today we have ʻike kūpuna from Uncle Fred Cachola with a powerful story of why he called himself a "Son of Kohala," mele from a Hawaiʻi-based group mixing reggae, soul, blues, funk and hip hop to share songs of triumph and moʻolelo from a baker creating innovative delicacies with kalo and other island crops. News, mele, mo’olelo and ‘Ike kupuna all on this week’s Hawai’i R...