Episode 501:
Hawaiʻi's Ghost Stories
In this episode, host Kamaka Pili, kicks it off with a captivating guest: master Hawaiian ghost storyteller, Lopaka Kapanui. Known for his spine-chilling tales and deep knowledge of Hawaiian spiritual traditions, Lopaka shares the fascinating journey that led him to become a storyteller.
During the episode, Uncle Lopaka recounts his early experiences in the supernatural world, particularly his mentorship under Glen Grant, renowned for the Obake Files. Grant played a pivotal role in introducing Lopaka to the art of ghost storytelling, and their collaboration helped shape Lopaka’s career. The conversation reveals how Hawaiians view spirits and the deep-rooted respect for the unseen forces that surround the islands. Lopaka’s insights into the Hawaiian spiritual perspective reveal a unique connection between the physical and spiritual realms. In his view, these beliefs are not mere superstition but are woven into the fabric of Hawaiian culture and ancestry.
Episode 506:
Celebrating 50 years of Hōkūleʻa
On this special episode of Aloha Authentic, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hōkūleʻa, the legendary voyaging canoe that sparked a cultural renaissance for Native Hawaiians and the Pacific. To honor this milestone, host Kamaka Pili sits down with Nainoa Thompson, who helped bring traditional wayfinding back to life.
For Nainoa, the journey to becoming a master navigator began with a deep question: How did our ancestors cross the vast Pacific without modern instruments? That curiosity led him to study the ocean, the stars, and the ways of the great navigators who came before him. But it wasn’t just books or research that guided him—it was his teachers.
In our conversation, Nainoa shares the powerful lessons he learned from his mentors, including the late Mau Piailug, the master navigator from Satawal, and Herb Kawainui Kāne, the visionary artist and historian who helped design Hōkūleʻa. Mau, in particular, was the key to unlocking the knowledge that had nearly been lost.
Episode 508:
Learning About Lauhala
In this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili welcomes cultural practitioner and 8th-generation weaver Keoua Nelsen to share his ʻike of lauhala. Keoua shares how his journey began under the guidance of his grandmother. Like many, he had a hard time getting the hang of the actual weaving. When frustration set in, he offered to help his grandmother gather leaves and material for her to weave. What seemed like a pause in learning became a foundational lesson.
For Keoua, understanding where the leaves come from, how they grow, and the energy they carry is even more important than the weaving itself. He explains that the color of a hala leaf isn’t just about the plant, it’s shaped by its environment. Soil, minerals, water, and even weather all affect the quality and appearance of the leaf.
Lauhala was originally woven for functional uses like mats, pillows, and baskets. Today, it is still rooted in tradition, however it has taken a more decorative role with its complex patterns and designs.
Episode 502:
Digitizing Hawaiʻi's Past with Bishop Museum
In this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili showcases the important work being done at Bishop Museum to preserve and share Hawai‘i’s cultural heritage through digitization. These efforts are helping to connect the stories of the past with the needs of the present, ensuring that the history of Hawai‘i remains accessible for future generations.
Kamaka begins by speaking with Brandon Bunag, Vice President of Public Programs at Bishop Museum, about the Mau Ka Leo project and Hawai‘i Alive. These initiatives focus on making the museum’s vast collections available online, providing resources for educators, researchers, and the public to engage with Hawai‘i’s history in new and meaningful ways.
Next, Kamaka sits down with Kauʻi Sai-Dudoit, Project Manager at He Aupuni Palapala, to learn about the museum’s ambitious project to digitize Hawaiian-language newspapers. These historic publications are rich with stories, opinions, and records that reflect the voices of the past. Kauʻi shares a fascinating example—a letter written of Timoteo Ha‘alilio during his travels from Mexico to New Orleans—illustrating how these documents help bring history to life.
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 503:
Board & Stone with Uncle Earl Kawaʻa & KOKA
On this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili visits Keiki O Ka ʻĀina to sit down with Uncle Earl Kawaʻa, a cultural practitioner and social worker whose life experiences offer profound lessons in community and connection.
Uncle Earl shares stories of his childhood growing up in Hālawa Valley on the island of Molokaʻi, a place rich in natural beauty and cultural history. He recalls the values instilled in him from an early age from his mother and father, which continue to guide his life and work. His upbringing in the valley shaped his understanding of the balance between people and the land, and these teachings serve as the foundation for the innovative programs he leads today.
One of Uncle Earl’s most impactful initiatives is his board and stone course, which blends traditional Hawaiian practices with modern social work techniques. Through the symbolic use of a board and a stone, families are guided to strengthen their foundation and build resilience. The course emphasizes communication, mutual support, and cultural grounding—key elements that help families navigate challenges together.
Episode 505:
Hoʻoponopono with Uncle Earl Kawaʻa & KOKA
On this episode of Aloha Authentic, hosted by Kamaka Pili, we return to Keiki o Ka ʻĀina to sit down once again with Kumu Earl Kawaʻa. This time, our focus is on hoʻoponopono, the traditional Hawaiian practice of healing and reconciliation.
Kumu Kawaʻa begins by explaining the true meaning of hoʻoponopono–to make things right, to restore harmony within families and individuals. Rooted in Hawaiian culture, this practice goes beyond just saying “I’m sorry.” It is a guided process to address conflicts, heal emotional wounds, and release burdens that may be affecting one’s spiritual and physical well-being.
One of the key aspects Kumu Kawaʻa discusses is the diagnosis of lele, mai waho mai, and mai loko mai. These terms help identify the source of a person’s imbalance. Lele refers to when a person’s spirit is unsettled, as if they are disconnected from themselves or their purpose. Mai waho mai indicates that the harm or illness comes from an external source–conflict with others, unresolved disputes, or even negative energy directed at a person. Mai loko mai speaks to internal struggles–guilt, resentment, or past trauma that continues to fester within.
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Episode 504:
Songs & Stories of Waikīkī
In this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili partners with the Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society to take viewers on a nostalgic journey into the heart of Waikīkī. Before it transformed into the bustling concrete jungle we know today, Waikīkī was a community steeped in culture, music, and connection to the land and sea. This episode captures the essence of that era through mele and moʻolelo.
Renowned musician and cultural advocate, Aunty Kuʻuipo Kumukahi of the Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society, performs three iconic Hawaiian songs: Waikīkī Hula, Makee ʻAilana, and ʻĀinahau. These mele, rich with poetic imagery and historical significance, paint vivid pictures of Waikīkī’s past.
In addition to the mele, the episode features heartfelt stories from kupuna who grew up in Waikīkī during a simpler time, including Uncle Jesse Kalima Jr., Aunty Georgiana Navarro, and Aunty Marsha Kapū.
This episode of Aloha Authentic beautifully bridges past and present, honoring the legacy of Waikīkī through the voices of those who lived it.
SEASON 5
Episode 507:
Hawaiian Kingdom
On this episode of Aloha Authentic, host Kamaka Pili welcomes special guest Dr. Keanu Sai, a scholar known internationally for his work on the legal and political history of Hawai‘i. Together, they explore a topic that continues to spark debate: whether Hawai‘i is, in fact, a legal state of the United States.
Dr. Sai breaks down the legal foundations of statehood, explaining what makes a nation recognized and sovereign under international law. He offers insight into Hawai‘i’s unique history as a recognized, independent kingdom prior to the overthrow of its government in 1893 and its controversial annexation by the U.S. in 1898. Through legal documents, treaties, and historical timelines, Dr. Sai raises important questions about whether due process was followed in Hawai‘i’s transition to statehood.
The episode also explores the powerful symbolism behind the Hawaiian flag. While many today are familiar with the red, white, and blue version with the British Union Jack in the upper-left corner flown across the islands, Dr. Sai sheds light on the lesser-known variations of the Hawaiian flag, and debunks the validity of the red, yellow, and green flag often seen as the original flag of the Hawaiian Kingdom.