ALANUI MELE - Hawaiʻi Hip-Hop History

This episode interviews Harold "Too Swift" Enanoria, exploring his journey from breakdancing in Hawaii to becoming a touring dancer, music video performer, and DJ, while discussing his role in preserving hip-hop history.

This episode profiles John "PRIME" Hina, a pioneering Hawaii graffiti artist who re-emerged in the mid-2000s to found the non-profit 808 Urban, teaching youth to express culture through graffiti while representing his Hawaiian and Samoan roots globally.

Host Kevin the Catalyst interviews Hawaii hip hop artist Spell One about how he got his name from graffiti and Dungeons and Dragons in the early 1990s.

This episode explores the early 1990s hip-hop scene in Hawaii through an interview with Terrence 'Big Teeze' Hallums, a certified gold artist who performed with legends like House of Pain and Cypress Hill.

This episode features an interview with Lionel Wright, considered the godfather of Hawaii hip hop, discussing his pioneering role as the first local rap artist to release music on CD in 1990.

Host Kevin DeCatalyst interviews Kalani Young, an OG in Hawaii's hip hop scene, discussing his background in locking and popping and his current life in Texas.

Host Kavita Catalyst interviews Woes Martin, a Hawaii-born hip hop artist, discussing his background, move to California, and personal history.

This episode features an interview with Christy Tushai Kamali, one of Hawaii's first female graffiti writers from the early 1980s, discussing her background and the male-dominated hip-hop scene.

This episode explores how Norm Winter revolutionized music and radio, focusing on Hawaii's hip hop history through the PBS Hawaii program Alanui Mele.

This episode features an interview with Kamasami Kong, a legendary Hawaii radio and television figure, discussing his early career and groundbreaking 1984 TV program.

The host shares a personal story about meeting Clark 'Lord One' Cuadro while traveling to the 1999 B-Boy Summit in Los Angeles, highlighting a moment of connection and assistance when stranded at LAX.

This episode features an interview with rapper-turned-entrepreneur I.A.

This episode features an interview with Corey Koons (Think), a documentarian who has chronicled Hawaii's graffiti and hip-hop culture for decades through his magazine Hawaiian Nights.

This episode of Alla Nui Mele Hawaii Hip Hop History on PBS Hawaii features host Kavita Catalyst introducing DJ Skinny Guy from Maui, discussing his impact on Hawaii's hip hop scene and the discovery of his talent through VHS turntable battles.

This episode explores Kaleo Ten's personal background and connection to Hawaii's house dance culture through a discussion of his name changes, ethnic heritage, and upbringing.

This episode features an interview with DJ and producer Jay Park, discussing his background, early influences through mixtapes, and growing up in a diverse California neighborhood.

This episode features an interview with Jason "Buz 1" Tavares, exploring his early experiences in Hawaii's 90s hip-hop scene, his involvement in graffiti and emceeing, and the four elements of hip-hop.

This episode features an interview with Hawaiian rapper Cree Chameleon, discussing his journey from growing up in Waipahu to his current life and career in Las Vegas, including early memories of freestyling at KTUH radio.

This episode features an interview with Osna, a talented Hawaii-based artist and DJ, discussing his DJing schedule and his strong opinions on fair payment for DJs, including his preference for percentage-based compensation over flat fees.

This episode features an interview with DJ Leanskee (Lino Delgado), a founding member of the Floor Lords hip-hop crew from Boston who moved to Hawaii and continues to DJ and mentor the next generation.

This episode features an interview with Hawaii hip-hop icon DJ Cutmaster Spaz, exploring his journey from being bullied in special education to becoming a legendary DJ and the origin of his stage name.

This episode features an interview with Tassho Pearce, discussing his career as an MC, his record label and clothing company Flip the Bird, and his impact on the music industry from Hawaii.

This episode interviews John Iervolino, a DJ, music executive, and producer who founded Quiet Storm Records and played a key role in Hawaii's hip hop and island music scene.

This episode features an interview with Shawn 'Speedy' Lopes, a key figure in Hawaii's hip-hop history, discussing his early radio days, contributions to the underground scene, and the origins of nicknames in the community.

This episode features Danny 'Dani 1' Garcia, a foundational figure in Hawaii's hip-hop scene, discussing his journey from graffiti writer to producer and DJ.

This episode features an interview with James Cole, an iconic radio voice and DJ in Hawaii's hip-hop scene, exploring his career, youth outreach programs, and personal journey from the Bay Area to Hawaii.