As we begin the first new school year in the COVID-19 era, HIKI NŌ students reflect on their experiences with distance learning and other challenges brought on by the pandemic.

Kohala native Manaola Yap grew up processing dyes from native roots and plants, while helping his mother, kumu hula Nani Lim Yap, create elaborate hula costumes for performances. These early experiences now inform his brand of Hawaiian luxury clothing, Manaola Hawai‘i, which made its New York Fashion Week debut in September 2017.

As we begin the first new school year in the COVID-19 era, HIKI NŌ students reflect on their experiences with distance learning and other challenges brought on by the pandemic.

It's hard to think of a choir or chorus without thinking of Nola Nahulu - one of Hawaii's premiere conductors and music teachers. Nola got hooked on music while taking piano and ballet growing up as a child in Makaha, and she parlayed that passion into a career that has spanned more than three decades. Nola has taught and conducted some of the islands' legendary and beloved choral groups - including the Kawaiaha'o Church Choir, the Hawaii Youth Opera Chorus and the Honolulu Symphony Chorus. She has also taught music and choir at churches and schools - including Kamehameha Schools and the University of Hawaii.

As we begin the first new school year in the COVID-19 era, HIKI NŌ students reflect on their experiences with Distance Learning and attending school from home.

Opera and cockfighting are some of the diverse subjects that Kauai-based documentary filmmaker Stephanie Castillo has covered throughout her career. Castillo released her first film, Simple Courage, in 1992, which drew parallels between Hansen’s Disease and the major health crisis at the time of the film’s release, the AIDS epidemic.

The poignant annual lantern floating ceremony, which had been held every Memorial Day since 1999 at Ala Moana Beach in Honolulu, did not take place last May because of the coronavirus pandemic. The international Buddhist community Shinnyo-en continued to observe this beloved tradition by creating a television special honoring those who laid a foundation for our lives.

As we begin the first new school year in the COVID-19 era, HIKI NŌ students reflect on their experiences with distance learning and other challenges brought on by the pandemic.

Named for the island where he was born, Lanai Tabura is well-known for his talents as a DJ, comedian, television host, actor and entrepreneur. Now he dedicates himself to one of his earliest passions – cooking – to share aloha across the globe through food.

As a young child, Josh Tatofi thought he had an ordinary life. “I thought everyone’s dad was a rock star, and I thought everyone was playing music,” he says. His father, Tivaini Tatofi, was a founding member of local island music group Kapena. “I didn’t really know that my childhood was special until way later,” says the younger Tatofi.