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 And just last month, PBS Hawai‘i was there as DHT raised the curtain a new facility that replaced the outdated and worn-down Fort Ruger Theatre.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.
Aunty Genoa Keawe and granddaughter Pōmaikaʻi perform a medley of song "Mauna Loa" and her signature song "Alika" on a 2001 episode of Nā Mele.
George Helm performs the song "Kalamaʻula" at the Liliuʻokalani Trust Center in Kalamaʻula, Molokai for the Golden Anniversary of Molokai Homesteading in 1972. Featuring Barney Isaacs, Jr. on steel guitar, Benny Kalama on guitar, and Jimmy Kaopuiki on bass.
From the program "Pau Hana Years: Golden Anniversary of Molokai Homesteading: 50 Years of Hawaiian Homelands on Molokai"
Paige Okamura, a.k.a. DJ Mermaid of Hawaiʻi Public Radio, talks about the role Hawaiian music plays in preserving and perpetuating history and language.
Oliver Seguin of Hawaiʻi record shop and label Aloha Got Soul explains how he and owner Roger Bong are working to preserve rare local music from the past while promoting Hawaiʻi's artists of the future.