The story of Hawaii’s hip hop isn’t a straight line—it’s a flow that bends through island reggae, battle rap, day parties, and studio nights that run past last call. We sit down with Rappa Nui to trace that path from Puna to Oahu, where a poetry-loving kid grew into a meticulous writer who prefers the booth to the spotlight but still knows how to light a room when it counts. We dig into process first: how stacked notes turn into finished verses once the right beat shakes the walls, why he sometimes shifts from pure rap to island reggae textures, and what it takes to “shop” for a studio sound that feels like home. Along the way we give flowers to local pillars—Fiji, Angry Locals, Osna—and unpack how battle rap made sharper writers and braver performers in Hawaii long before algorithms could push a clip. There’s a standout chapter on collaboration too: the Kanaka Fire link-up that became a radio moment and proof that one hook can move from Hawaii to global feeds in a day. It’s not all highlight reels. Rappa Nui is candid about industry and the discipline it takes to keep the art clean: family over everything, clarity over chaos, and humility as a strategy, not a slogan. We trade top-five island vocalists and essential tracks, talk nightlife then vs now, and kick around a “verses” concept for island reggae that would pack any venue. He shares goals—bigger collabs, stronger reach, and songs that carry Hawaii’s voice without dressing it up for export—and drops practical advice for up-and-comers: shake every hand, learn from doers, and keep going when platforms reset. Cue up this conversation if you love craft talk, local-to-global stories, and the sound of a scene leveling up without losing its roots. Stream, follow, and share with a friend who needs a spark. If it hits, leave a quick review and subscribe so you catch the next drop.

A national championship ring on one hand, a turntable on the other. That’s the unexpected arc of DJ Nasty Nate, who traded Auburn football practices for late nights in Honolulu’s Chinatown and found a craft worth building from the ground up. We dive into the real playbook for breaking into Hawaiʻi’s DJ scene—no clout chasing, no gimmicks. Nate walked us through how showing up to clubs and venues, listening before asking, and introducing himself with aloha opened doors faster than any pitch. He breaks down the differences between Birmingham’s trap-heavy nights and Oʻahu’s genre-blending crowds, why Latin sets became his biggest learning curve, and how he balances new heat with the familiar records people forgot they love. From reggae to R&B to hip hop to reggaeton, he treats each night like a puzzle: peak, reset, send folks to the bar, and bring them back without burning the room out. We also get into the craft. Nate still practices on turntables to keep his ear honest, avoids repeating the previous DJ’s set, and builds crates as a foundation before freestyling where the crowd leads. He shares candid thoughts on timeless R&B versus TikTok-fast trends, why some songs will outlive the news cycle. The community piece matters too: Hawaiʻi’s collaborative culture, Scratcher Hawaiʻi, and Bay Area ties that prove sharing shine doesn’t dim your own. Offstage, Nate coaches at UFC Gym Kailua with a functional fitness focus—helping clients move better, feel stronger, and build sustainable habits. The mindset that earned him a scholarship at Auburn now powers long nights, consistent practice, and a growing party brand with DJ Marknado. He’s building Much Loved into a traveling R&B experience while keeping Hawaiʻi as home base, investing in social content, and wearing all seven hats modern DJs need. If you care about crowd reading, set building, vinyl respect, or how to enter a tight-knit market the right way, this conversation is packed with examples and honest advice. Hit play, subscribe for more Above the Bridge stories, and drop a comment with the one song that never fails in your city.

Ever wonder how a single song can spark a movement? We sit down with Uncle Dave—educator, musician, and community builder—to explore how Menehune Beach Bum Boogie led to a purpose bigger than charts or gigs. He shares a candid journey from Pololo Valley to 34 years in the classroom, working with at‑risk students and discovering that Aloha becomes powerful only when it moves from slogan to practice. We break down ALOHA in full: Akahai (kindness with tenderness), Lokahi (unity with harmony), Oluolu (agreeable with pleasantness), Haahaa (humility with modesty), and Ahonui (patience with perseverance). Then we go deeper with teachings passed through Aunty Pilahi Paki and Pono Shim—grace and mercy, unbroken covenant, gentleness as strength under control, the empty cup ready to learn, and active waiting that chooses response over reaction. Through vivid stories—a traffic merge without expecting a shaka, a stallion’s power guided by a bridle, a classroom growing taproots—Dave shows how to turn values into habits. We also talk strategy: the Aloha Roots Program uses music as curriculum, aligning social‑emotional learning with a clear why before the how and what. Outcomes are fruit; processes are branches; Aloha is the root. Community efforts like Tools for Schools and Valley to Valley put these principles into action, proving that culture shifts when we model it consistently. If you’ve ever felt Aloha was vague or overused, this conversation gives you a practical map—and a reason to start at home, at school, and on the road. Listen, share with someone who lives Aloha, and help us grow taproots. If this moved you, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it on so more people can practice kindness, unity, humility, gentleness, and patient perseverance every day.

A five-hour flight talk, a dare to build something new, and the belief that R&B can still make a whole room sing—this is how Laid Back came to life. We kick off the year with DJ Hapa Boy to trace the journey from a chance question at lunch to a full-fledged R&B day party crafted with intention and island flavor. No filler, no gimmicks—just great DJs, careful curation, and hospitality that makes people feel invited, not processed. We dig into the blueprint: assembling the team, locking the name, shaping the brand, and sweating the small details that turn an event into an experience. From flower leis at the door to Noms, we bring back the lost art of promotion by caring more than the flyer. Hapa Boy opens the crate on craft too—why reading the room beats pre-planning, how multiple record pools keep sets fresh, what gear fits which stage, and how sobriety sharpened focus, transitions, and crowd engagement. We talk island culture with pride: the right local track at the right moment, a room bursting into song, and the joy of seeing new DJs get their first real stage. The heart of this episode is connection. R&B as a bridge across generations, families showing up and singing together, and the way intention changes everything—from how you treat people to how you build a brand that lasts. If you care about music scenes, event design, and the craft of DJing, this one gives you playbook and purpose in the same breath. Grab your tickets to Laid Back: Sunday, January 18, 3–8 p.m. at Capitol Modern. Hit laidbackrnb.com or Eventbrite and come sing with us. If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and share—then tell us the one R&B song you need to hear next time.

The most honest year-end recap happens across a kitchen table with sneakers by the door and game film still fresh in our heads. I sat down with my daughter, Aria, to trace the real story behind her varsity leap: the extra lifts, the OC16 nerves, the bad game that shook her, and the next-day reset that proved her mindset is built for pressure. It’s a tour through the grind you don’t see on highlight reels—how you hold your energy when you don’t start, how you become a better teammate, and how belief sneaks up on you one rep at a time. We also open the lens to school life and growing up in Hawaii. Sophomore year means tougher classes, early college prep, and the noise of high school drama. Aria keeps it simple with an inner circle she trusts, a sense of humor that won’t quit, and a clear boundary around what matters. The conversation drifts into travel tournaments in Vegas, Anaheim, and Maui, the joy of Disneyland, and the feeling of being more bonded as a team after a full season together. When she talks about coaches, you hear two styles—strict and structured, calm and player-first—both shaping a competitor who adapts fast. Music ties generations together. Old-school R&B—SZA, Ashanti, Miguel—becomes our common ground, a reminder that songs with depth outlast trends. We look ahead, too: a West Coast volleyball scholarship is the dream, with a return home to Hawaii after college. And we share gratitude—family rides, Starbucks bribes, and all the quiet support that makes the loud wins possible. If you’re chasing a goal, this conversation is your nudge: bounce back harder, keep your circle tight, and let consistent work do the talking. If this resonated, follow the show, drop a rating, and share it with someone who needs a push. What goal are you committing to before the new season starts?