On the Valley Isle, the work is non-stop for the team at the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. Each year the team responds to hundreds of calls for sick, injured and distressed sea turtles. At the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, the Joseph F. Rock Herbarium was established in 1908. It’s home to a collection of more than 50,000 plant specimens, including many rare and endemic plants from Hawai‘i and across the Pacific. For more than 50 years, Hawaii Literacy has been helping adults and children overcome those challenges by providing free programs and resources.

Morgan Gardner and McKenzie Mungai of the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute talk about the unique biology of sea turtles.

Cultural dance to the beat of drums, delicate floral arrangements that soothe and inspire, and giving hope to cats and the disabled describe stories in this month’s episode of Home is Here.

Diamond Head Theatre has been entertaining audiences with its live productions for more than a century. And just last month, PBS Hawai‘i was there as DHT raised the curtain a new facility that replaced the outdated and worn-down Fort Ruger Theatre. Our second story takes you to Hawai‘i Island for a conversation with Ikaika Dombrigues, a man who has reached the status of kahuna or high priest. He takes us through his spiritual journey and how he’s using his knowledge to protect and perpetuate traditional Hawaiian healing techniques.

Diamond Head Theatre Artistic Director John Rampage walks us through the Diamond Head Theatre ahead of its demolition and reconstruction.

Culture takes the spotlight in this month’s episode of Home is Here, but in two very different ways. In Kalihi on O‘ahu, the non-profit Kōkua Kalihi Valley (KKV) is looking to help the community connect with its cultural roots through food and farming. Also featured is a group that gets no shortage of exercise, 808 Breakers. Founded in 2005, the group brings together Hawai‘i’s elite breakdancers.

Ikaakamai performs his song "Scholarship."

Ikaakamai performs his song "He Noho Papa."

Earlier this year, the Hawai‘i State Archives received two historic collections of records. One of the collections was from long-time radio personality and host of Territorial Airwaves, Harry B. Soria Jr. The other collection was from an Englishman who resided in Toronto, Canada named Michael Scott. In all, the collections equal roughly 20,000 records, with the earliest dating back to 1905. Contained within these priceless vinyl artifacts is much of the history of Hawaiian recorded music.