Episode 403:
The King's Royal Yacht
Did you know King Kamehameha II owned a royal yacht? Now you do! On this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili revisits Kauaʻi Museum and sits down with Executive Director Uncle Chucky Boy Chock to continue their conversation about Kauaʻi’s rich history. Originally named Cleopatra’s Barge, the ship was built in Massachusetts in 1816, and later became the Royal Yacht of King Kamehameha II. Boasting mahogany inlays and decorative trim, velvet seats and even the first flushing toilet—this vessel was a luxurious floating palace. The King wanted to build a fleet of naval ships because he understood the power of having a Navy. Unfortunately, the ship sank in Hanalei Bay in 1824, while the King was in London, where he also died. Today, the yacht continues to lie at the bottom of Hanalei Bay, and occasionally remnants of the ship wash ashore to later be displayed at Kauaʻi Museum. Learning about the ship, and other exhibits at the Kauaʻi Museum, has gotten easier thanks to augmented reality software. Now guests at the museum can scan QR codes with their phones and have the exhibits and paintings come to life with stunning visuals and sounds.
Episode 412:
Navigating Hawaiʻi's Sky
In this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili revisits Bishop Museum to rediscover the ancient art of Hawaiian voyaging. The episode begins with a visit to the Bishop Museum’s Planetarium, where Romee Gaoiran, the Planetarium Manager explains what a planetarium is and introduces Kamaka to the variety of exhibits and shows that bring the night sky to life. This modern tool has played a key role in reviving the navigational techniques used by ancient Hawaiian voyagers.
Kamaka then steps inside the planetarium for a conversation with navigator Kaʻiulani Murphy. She shares the significance of the night sky in Polynesian wayfinding and points out some of the most important constellations used for navigation.
The journey concludes at Kānehūnāmoku Voyaging Academy in Kāneʻohe, where Kamaka meets Bonnie Kahapeʻa-Tanner. Bonnie explains how the knowledge gained from the planetarium is applied practically on the canoe, out in the open ocean.
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Episode 406:
The Identity of Māhū
In Hawaiʻi, lies a concept deeply ingrained in the fabric of society: māhū. In a captivating episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili delves into the intricacies of māhū identity through an enlightening conversation with community leader Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu.
Māhū, a Hawaiian term, refers to individuals who embody both masculine and feminine qualities, transcending conventional gender binaries. Within Hawaiian culture, māhū have long held respected roles as caretakers, healers, and educators, contributing significantly to the community’s social and spiritual fabric.
In this episode, viewers are offered a rare glimpse into the nuanced understanding of māhū identity, as Kumu Hina shares her personal experiences and insights. As a revered community leader and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Kumu Hina brings a wealth of knowledge and authenticity to the discussion.
Episode 409:
Exploring Bishop Museum
In this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili goes on a captivating journey through the prestigious Bishop Museum. Kamaka first sits down with Marques Marzan, the museum’s Cultural Advisor, who digs into the rich history of how the Bishop Museum came to be.
Next, Kamaka speaks with Kapalikū Maile, the Education Programs Manager. Kapalikū provides insights into the diverse range of facilities the museum offers.
Finally, Marques takes Kamaka on an exclusive tour of the museum’s collections that are typically off-limits to the public. Among the treasures they explore are the ʻumeke, traditional Hawaiian bowls, and a remarkable makaloa mat with a letter intricately woven into its fibers.
Join Kamaka where history, culture, and education come together to celebrate the legacy of Hawaiʻi’s beloved Bishop Museum.
Episode 408:
Legacies of Hawaiian Music
In this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili digs into the rich legacies embedded within Hawaiian music. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of how music serves as a vessel for cultural preservation and storytelling in Hawaii.
Kamaka sits down with Aunty Kuʻuipo Kumukahi from the Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society. Aunty Kuʻuipo passionately discusses the importance of Hawaiian music, emphasizing its role in keeping the spirit and traditions of Hawaiʻi alive. Through her insights, viewers gain a deeper appreciation of how each melody and lyric serves as a bridge between generations, fostering a continuous connection to Hawaiian heritage.
Other special guests include Dottie Bacon Browne, the granddaughter of the revered Hawaiian scholar Mary Kawena Pūkuʻi, and Ipo Cole, the granddaughter of Bina Mossman.
Episode 402:
Music of Maui
On August 8, 2023, wildfires ripped through the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, Lāhaina. For those affected, the journey to recovery will take time, but music has the power bring communities together. On this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili is joined with Aunty Kuʻuipo Kumukahi of the Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society to feature Hawaiian singers and songwriters with ties to Maui, to uplift and heal the lāhui. Hear music and words of inspiration from Alakaʻi Paleka, Liz Morales, and Kamakakēhau Fernandez.
SEASON 4
Episode 407:
Celebrating Lei Day
In this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili sits down with master lei maker Uncle Bill Char, diving deep into the rich cultural significance and intricate techniques behind lei making. Bill Char, a revered artisan in the realm of lei making, shows viewers the diverse array of lei styles that adorn the islands, some with cultural significance.
While lei making is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture, similar traditions exist in various cultures around the world, including India. In India, floral garlands hold significant cultural and religious importance, often used in ceremonies, celebrations, and religious rituals. Uncle Bill also shares his experience of making lei for the Dalai Lama and his reasoning for choosing a certain style of lei.
Uncle Bill’s passion for preserving and perpetuating this cultural heritage shines through, inspiring viewers to connect with the aloha spirit woven into each lei.
Episode 401:
Waikīkī Surf Club Celebrates 75 Years
This year marks 75 years of the Waikīkī Surf Club. In this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili sits down with the President of Waikīkī Surf Club Luana Froiseth, and Secretary Glenell Choy to learn about the club’s rich history.
Waikīkī Surf Club was founded in February of 1948 by a group of Beach Boys who wanted to compete in canoe racing after being turned away from joining other canoe clubs. When thinking of a club name, they chose “Waikīkī Surf Club”, as opposed to the obvious choice “Waikīkī Canoe Club” because it was founded by surfers, not canoe paddlers.
Aloha Authentic is a show celebrating Hawaiian culture. Through conversations with local artisans, cultural practitioners, kūpuna and community members, we all learn more about Hawaiʻi, our native culture and unique lifestyle.
Episode 411:
Sustaining Hawaiʻi's Native Ecosystem
In this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili returns to Bishop Museum to explore the ongoing efforts to restore Hawaiʻi’s native ecosystems. Kamaka first sits down with Norine Yeung, Malacology Curator at Bishop Museum, who shares about the protected Kahuli snail.
Next, Kamaka speaks with Taylour Chang, Director of Public Programs & Community Engagement, about the endangered honeycreepers, a group of native Hawaiian birds. The conversation highlights the museum’s new exhibit at the Science Adventure Center, which celebrates the “Year of the Honeycreeper.”
Finally, Kamaka travels to Pia Valley, where he meets Nicholas Walvoord, the Seed Bank Collection Manager for Bishop Museum. Nicholas discusses the vital work being done by Protect and Preserve Hawaiʻi, in partnership with the Bishop Museum, to reforest Pia Valley with native Hawaiian plants.
Episode 404 Web Exclusive:
Arrival of the Military
Welcome to the web exclusive segment for the arrival of the military on Mōkapu Peninsula. If you haven’t already, be sure to watch the full Aloha Authentic episode regarding Mōkapu Peninsula and the military’s occupation.
Episode 405:
Celebrating Women in Hawaiian Music
In this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili sits down with some of the women from the concert to speak upon women in Hawaiian music. Karen Keawehawaiʻi is joined by her granddaughter Piʻikea Lopes and shares the first time both of them performed together at the concert with Piʻikea playing her grandfather’s steel guitar. Mailani Makaʻinaʻi, originally part of the group Keahi Wai, expresses why she decided to leave contemporary “local” music to pursue Hawaiian music, and Geri Arias-Nomura shares what it was like sharing the stage with some of her closest friends and the significance music has in healing.
Episode 404:
Mōkapu and the Military
The Mōkapu Peninsula on Oʻahu’s windward side has been inhabited since the 13th century. Originally valued by Hawaiian royalty, this land has been the spot for vacation homes for aliʻi as well as a productive agricultural area. The presence of the United States military has been seen since 1918. In this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili sits down with the Commanding Officer of Marine Corps Base Hawaiʻi Col. Jeremy Beaven and Senior Cultural Resources Manager June Cleghorn, to learn about the peninsula’s role in Old Hawaiʻi and the efforts the Military is doing to be good stewards of the ʻaina.
Episode 410:
Hawaiian Literacy
In this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili sits down with Hawaiian language advocate and Professor Emeritus Puakea Nogelmeier. This episode looks into the rich history of Hawaiian newspapers and the remarkable literacy rates Hawaiʻi had. Did you know Hawaii once boasted one of the highest literacy rate in the world?
The conversation explores the role of Hawaiian newspapers in preserving and promoting the Hawaiian language and culture. Uncle Puakea was a pioneer in digitizing old Hawaiian newspapers. Utilizing optical character recognition, he’s able to now search for keywords on a computer, rather than skimming through pages of newspaper.
Uncle Puakea also shares commonly asked questions about Hawaiian language and terminology, addressing the controversial question: is it Honolulu or Hanalulu? He explains the linguistic nuances and historical context that influence the pronunciation and spelling variations. Additionally, the meaning and implications of the term “haole” are clarified, shedding light on its cultural significance and common misconceptions.
Episode 404 Web Exclusive:
Arrival of the Military
Welcome to the web exclusive segment for the one-on-one conversation with the MCBH Commanding Officer. If you haven’t already, be sure to watch the full Aloha Authentic episode regarding Mōkapu Peninsula and the military’s occupation.