It's A Hawaii Thing

The name "Anuhea" translates from Hawaiian as a fragrance or cool breeze. In the world of island/reggae music, Maui songbird Anuhea Jenkins has been JUST that: A cool breeze to the island music scene. This multi-talented artist entered the room in 2009 like a breath of fresh island air, beautifully blending vibes of reggae, pop, R&B, and even country. Anuhea's eclectic and multi-faceted musica...

Tumua Tuinei is one of Hawaii's top and hottest comics! Tumua has been doing comedy in the islands for five years.  Recently he sold out 29 consecutive shows since December 2020.  Including three SOLD-OUT Shows at The Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolulu, Oahu.  The local boy is also a former University of Hawaii Football Player.  While at UH, Tumua found his passion for stand up...

Mika Miyashima is the evening anchor of KITV4 Island News at 5, 6, and 10 p.m. Since joining KITV4 in 2016, Mika has also served as a multimedia journalist, weather, and traffic anchor. Mika was born in Los Angeles, California and raised in Sandy, Utah. She graduated from the University of Hawaii has lived in the islands for a total of about 11 years.   Mika is the oldest sister of three...

Tavana is a multi-instrumentalist from Honolulu, HI who uses his feet to lay down a variety of grooves while simultaneously playing guitar, banjo, lap steel, or ukulele and singing soulful, island-inspired Rock and Blues.  ​ "I perform everything live and use no looping. Everything is played moment to moment...It's hard to explain how fun it is to do this. It's like having a whole band in you...

Alika Tengan is a Hapa Hawaiian/Asian filmmaker based out of Honolulu, Hawai’i. In 2017 he earned a mentorship under Joe Robert Cole (Black Panther), who oversaw the development of what would become his short, Mauka To Makai, which was awarded Best Made In Hawai’i Short at the Hawai’i International Film Festival. Alika followed up Mauka with Moloka’i Bound, which premiered at ImagineNative 2019 an...

Francois Chau is an Asian-American actor of Cambodian and Vietnamese descent. In his 40 year career, he has worked extensively on stage, voiced and narrated many diverse characters in animation, video games, and audiobooks, has appeared in numerous feature films, and guest-starred in over 100 television shows. Some of his better known roles include "Dr. Pierre Chang" in LOST, "Shredder" in Teenage...

Nick Verreos is the Co-Chair of Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising/FIDM in Los Angeles. He is also a Fashion Designer, Author, Red Carpet Expert and a Consulting Producer on Bravo’s “Project Runway”. Nick was also a contestant on Project Runway in Season 2. Celebrities including Heidi Klum, Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Carrie Underwood and Miss Universe Brook Lee have wo...

Lela Lee is a cartoonist, actress and writer. Her "Angry Little Girls" weekly comic strip and six anthology comic books is syndicated by Universal Press and published by Abrams and Perseus books respectively. “Angry Little Girls” is the umbrella name for her main character, the “Angry Little Asian Girl” which Lee created in 1994 while she was a sophomore at UC Berkeley.     In addit...

Dante Basco (born August 29, 1975) is an American film, television and voice actor. He is best known for his role as Rufio, the leader of the Lost Boys in Steven Spielberg's Hook, and for his many voice acting roles, most notably as Prince Zuko from Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender, Jake Long from Disney Channel's American Dragon: Jake Long, and Spin Kick from Carmen Sandiego.  It's A...

Mark Kanemura is a dancer from Honolulu most noted for being a finalist on season 4 of So You Think You Can Dance. After moving to Los Angeles, he collaborated with Lady Gaga as her dancer. He has also appeared on Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, RuPaul's Drag Race and more.   It's A Hawaii Thing Productions. Quality content for the Hawaii Enthusiast and travel...

Sterling Sulieman is an American actor from Oahu, Hawaii. While he may have attended Punahou High School like Barack Obama, he has no aspirations of becoming the President of the United States. Unless its in a Motion Picture or Television Show. Or if this whole acting career thing doesn't work out. Then, maybe a presidency. But lets not bet on that.   It's A Hawaii Thing Productions. Quality...

Raiatea Mokihana Maile Helm is an authentic Hawaiian singer from Molokaʻi, Hawaiʻi who is known for her powerful vocals accompanied by an authentic ukulele strum. She has played for audiences around the world, places including China, Tahiti, Japan, and Okinawa. It is no surprise her hard work and dedication for preserving the authentic Hawaiian culture has landed her several prestigious awards inc...

Ever since I can remember I was always outside. Maybe it was because my father loved to fish and always took us along. He taught me and my brothers many different ways to catch dinner. We started with bamboo poles, graduated to rods and reels, and then went onto throwing nets and spear fishing. Fishing took up much of my young life until I was introduced to surfing. Once I caught that first wave,...

Mary Ann Changg is the original creator of the make-up, hair and photography studios copied in Hawaii, the U.S., and l the world.  She is a proud graduate of Kamehameha Schools and worked as a boutique owner and clothes designer, magazine publisher, photo journalist, actress, musician and agent.    Mary Ann was the on the Board of Directors and Secretary-Treasurer for SAG (Scre...

known as Jimmy T, is an American actor currently based in Singapore. He is known for his work on Glória (2021), RoboCop 3 (1993) and Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991).  It's A Hawaii Thing Productions. Quality content for the Hawaii Enthusiast and traveler.  Celebrities, artists & community leaders vomming together to showcase the spirit of the islands. New weekly program dedicated to...

PIDGINMOJI was started by Ka'ohele (on da left) and inspired by Kamalu (on da right), two brothers who grew up in Waialua (when it was still a plantation town) on da North Shore of O'ahu. Ka'ohele (Ka'o for short) wen grad Waialua High School in '94 and Kamalu (Malu for short... Kamaluonapi'olani for long) wen grad Waialua High School in '99. He also wen go Kamehameha.  Ka'o created da origin...

James Mane is a larger than life Samoan stand up comedian, actor, and podcast host from Hawaii. He is the first Samoan to do stand-up comedy on American television via FNX’s First Nations Comedy Experience which highlighted many Native American comedians and other indigenous people and can be seen on Amazon Prime.  Mane is a co-star of an Adult Swim TV hit called, ‘Decker’ where he played Lan...

Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Tia Carrere is an accomplished actress in motion pictures and television as well as a two time Grammy award-winning musical artist.   Since she was discovered in a grocery store for her first movie role in “Aloha Summer”, she has shown her range of acting talent and versatility starring in numerous blockbusters- -“Wayne’s World 1 & 2” with Mike My...

Most days you can find me chasing my children, sitting in front of my green screen, nose in a book or consuming personal and professional development online. I’m a Big Island girl at heart, and now a Maui mama. I’m a wife to my husband Kaimi, and devoted mother of two amazing, spirited, kolohe (rascal) little ones. I’m a podcaster, journalist, host, producer, coach, consultant, writer, singer, tea...

Mahi Crabbe is a local singer and songwriter in Hawaii, but now resides in Las Vegas. He first made national recognition while being a finalist on American Idol, and since then he has continued to work on his craft and perform around the world. He always brings energy to his performances and continues to share his gift around the globe. You may hear his music on local radio stations in Hawaii and...

Ari South is one of Hawaii's most recognized young fashion designers. She is the youngest of five kids and was raised by a single mother who was an immigrant from Laos. Now her family currently resides in Waianae, Hawaii. She gained national recognition and attention as a designer on Season 8 of Project Runway. She was also seen on Season 3 and 6 of Project Runway All Stars. She is based in Honolu...

Inspired by his long time love of hip hop, sports, and pop culture, Aaron Sakai founded Sleep Times over in 2016 along with his good friend Kavet the Catalyst. Growing up on Oahu, he has a unique and diverse perspective on daily life. During his weekly shows he blends current events with the subtleties of Hawaii living.    As a talk show host, Aaron prides himself in introducing vie...

Sylvia Jefferies used to do pretend commercials and sing songs from The Muppet Show and Fame to her stuffed animals before she risked it all and moved to New York City to audition for The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. When she completed her time there, having odd jobs that gave her insurance and 800number so that she could call her Mama, she left and began her carnie life moving where the act...

Ken Takemoto is a native of Hawaii, born in Haleiwa on August 18, 1934. He spent his childhood in Kaka‘ako and his teenage and college years in Kapahulu. He went to Washington Jr. High and McKinley High School (Class of 1952). He graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1957 and went on to UCLA in Los Angeles to get teaching credentials in art. He started teaching in 1960 and retired in 1996 aft...

“Da Braddahs” local comedy is a celebration and culmination of our proud island culture. How? “Jus’ buckaloose!” Da Braddahs is Tony Silva & James Roache, an ‘ohana-favorite household name. With 24 years as local entertainers, they continue to bring our island community and ‘ohana together for a grand variety of events- baby luau, birthdays, graduations, corporate events, concerts, prison talk...