Afro Aloha

Amy Benson
  • 4.7 (9)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast spotlighting Hawai'i's black community, featuring black entrepreneurs, creatives, educators, entertainers, and more living in Hawai'i. Afro Aloha is Hawai'i's cultural hub for black locals and travelers. To learn more, visit afroaloha.com

  1. Behind the badge-Examining power, policing, and Justice in Hawai'i

    08/27/2025

    Behind the badge-Examining power, policing, and Justice in Hawai'i

    In this compelling episode, Bridget Bickerton-Morgan, Managing Partner at Bickerton Law Group, breaks down the complex realities of the justice system in Hawai‘i. She discusses the recent dismissal of the Lindani Myeni lawsuit. Bickerton Law Group filed the suit shortly after the shooting and killing of Lindani Myeni by Honolulu Police Department in April 2021. We dive into the disparities in police use-of-force standards, and the unique challenges faced by Black, Micronesian, and Pacific Islander communities. Bridget dives deep into the dangers of immunity, the nuances of assault and negligence claims, and the fight for accountability within law enforcement. This episode is a hard-hitting look at justice, equity, and the power of speaking truth to systemic issues. To learn more about Bickerton Law Group, visit www.bsds.com To learn more about Afro Aloha, visit www.afroaloha.com

    29 min
  2. “Caring with Dignity: Nate Dixon on Supporting Hawai‘i’s Kupuna”

    08/06/2025

    “Caring with Dignity: Nate Dixon on Supporting Hawai‘i’s Kupuna”

    In this heartfelt episode of the Afro Aloha Podcast, Amy Benson sits down with Nate Dixon, CEO of Senior Helpers West Oahu, a leading in-home care service dedicated to supporting Hawai‘i’s aging population. A retired U.S. Air Force veteran and longtime community leader, Nate shares his journey from serving his country to serving Hawai‘i’s kupuna (elders) with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and dignity. We explore the critical importance of elder care in the islands, the challenges families face in caring for aging loved ones, and how Senior Helpers West Oahu is working to fill the gaps with heart-centered solutions. Nate also opens up about the personal values that drive his leadership and how he sees care work as a form of community-building and legacy preservation. Whether you're caring for a loved one now or thinking about the future, this episode offers insight, resources, and inspiration. To learn more about Afro Aloha, visit www.afroaloha.com IG: www.instagram.com/afroalohapodcast To learn more about Senior Helpers West Oahu, visit https://www.seniorhelpers.com/hi/kapolei-ewa-beach/

    29 min
  3. Crisis, Culture & Classroom: Dr Paula Major on the Future of Education in Hawai'i

    07/21/2025

    Crisis, Culture & Classroom: Dr Paula Major on the Future of Education in Hawai'i

    In this thought-provoking episode of the Afro Aloha Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Paula Burton Major — educator, cultural advocate, and systems change leader — to explore the urgent challenges and transformative possibilities in Hawai‘i’s education system. With decades of experience championing equity and culturally responsive teaching, Dr. Major unpacks how historical erasure, systemic bias, and the lack of Black and multiracial representation have created deep cracks in the classroom — and what it will take to heal them. This episode is a call to action for parents, educators, and changemakers who believe that every child in Hawai‘i deserves to be seen, heard, and empowered through learning. This episode is sponsored by Keith Major Sr. To learn more about Afro Aloha, visit www.afroaloha.com and follow us on social media at @afroaloha and @afroalohapodcast.

    55 min
  4. "Into me, you see." Relationships, sex, and intimacy with Dr. Jacqueline Sherman

    04/15/2025

    "Into me, you see." Relationships, sex, and intimacy with Dr. Jacqueline Sherman

    Dr. Jacqueline Sherman (Dr. Jac) is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Intimacy and Relationship Coach, and Military Spouse based in Honolulu. In 2022, she released Sexfirmation Cards, the first sexual wellness card deck for women. The deck helps women boost their sex confidence and enhance their intimacy by developing a practical sexual self-care practice. Dr. Jac has become a sought-after resident relationship/sex expert for ESSENCE Magazine, and featured contributor in XoNecole, Bustle, Madamenoire, and USA Today. In this episode, host Amy Benson and Dr. Jac discuss relationships, sex, intimacy, and the various factors that may impact how we engage including trauma, patriarchy, etc. They discuss navigating deep connection in a transient place like Hawaii, viewing pleasure as a birthright, and Dr. Jac's sexual wellness deck. To learn more visit, www.drjac.co This episode is presented by Afro Aloha, Hawaii's Cultural Hub for black locals and travelers. Website: www.afroaloha.com www.instagram.com/afroaloha www.instagram.com/afroalohapodcast

    36 min
  5. Naivasha: From shaping black media & global brands to now farming on Oahu.

    04/04/2025

    Naivasha: From shaping black media & global brands to now farming on Oahu.

    In this transformative episode of the Afro Aloha Podcast, host Amy Benson sits down with the visionary Naivasha, also known as Vasha. A powerhouse creative strategist, former Creative Director for Blavity, Travel Noire, and AfroTech, ultra-marathoner,, make-up artist, club promoter, thespian, display designer, music video director, wellness magazine creator, holistic nutritionist, corporate media creative director, agency owner, event producer, and now a regenerative farmer. Vasha shares her remarkable journey from shaping global Black media and culture to planting roots—literally—on the island of Oahu. Naivasha takes us through her evolution from designing impactful narratives in the digital and media space to answering a deeper calling—one that led her away from boardrooms and into the land. She opens up about her transition from shaping the identities of Blavity, Travel Noire, and AfroTech—brands that have empowered Black voices and innovators worldwide—to building Get Redy Farm, a space that nourishes the body, mind, and community through regenerative agriculture. Located in Waimānalo, Hawaii, Get Redy Farm is more than just an agricultural project—it’s a movement. Dedicated to growing nutrient-rich red vegetables and flowers. Hawaii’s urgent need for food sustainability, with the state still importing 85% of its food supply, Vasha shares why food sovereignty is a crucial part of community resilience and how the farm bridges creativity, wellness, and sustainability. Amy and Vasha dive into self-care not being an individual act—it’s a radical form of community care. We discusses how wellness has been commercialized in recent years, often reduced to products and aesthetics, when in reality, prioritizing well-being was historically a revolutionary act for Black and Indigenous communities. From farming to creative storytelling, she breaks down how true wellness is about sustainability, accessibility, and collective healing. Vasha challenges us to rethink how we engage with wellness—moving beyond trends to practices that nourish both the self and the collective. Follow Get Redy Farm: www.instagram.com/getredyfarm This episode is presented by Afro Aloha, Hawai'i's cultural hub for black locals and travelers. Website: www.afroaloha.com Instagram. www.instagram.com/afroaloha

    56 min
  6. Kamakakēhau (Kamaka) Fernandez - Being Black and immersed in Native Hawaiian culture since 2 months old. The unique experience of living at the intersection of these cultural identities.

    03/28/2025

    Kamakakēhau (Kamaka) Fernandez - Being Black and immersed in Native Hawaiian culture since 2 months old. The unique experience of living at the intersection of these cultural identities.

    In this episode of the Afro Aloha Podcast, host Amy Benson sits down with Kamakakēhau (Kamaka) Fernandez, a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winning artist. Born in Arkansas and adopted at 2 months old into a Native Hawaiian family, Kamaka made his way to Hawaii and was raised on the island of Maui. He shares his unique story of being black and growing up immersed in Hawaiian culture. Kamaka was raised during the Hawaiian Renaissance, a cultural movement in the 1970s that sparked a resurgence of Native Hawaiian language, music, hula, and political activism. The Hawaiian Renaissance was a response to the effects of colonization, including the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom in 1893 and the banning of the Hawaiian language in schools. This movement reclaimed cultural identity, giving rise to a new generation of artists, musicians, and scholars dedicated to preserving and revitalizing their heritage. Kamaka, growing up in the wake of this movement, was deeply influenced by its impact, shaping his artistry and commitment to the Hawaiian language and music. In this conversation, Kamaka shares his journey of growing up Black in a Hawaiian household, learning the language, and becoming a recognized voice in the islands. He reflects on the intersection of his identities, the power of cultural pride, and how his philosophies, practice of Aloha, and his art serves as a bridge between past and present. This episode is presented by Afro Aloha, Hawai'i's cultural hub for black locals and travelers. Website: www.afroaloha.com Afro Aloha IG: www.instagram.com/afroaloha Afro Aloha Podcast IG: www.instagram.com/afroalohapodcast Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/afroalohapodcast Follow Kamaka on IG: www.instagram.com/kkf_musicn_more This episode was filmed on The Vida Mia Yacht located in Honolulu, HI. To book a sunset or fireworks cruise, visit www.thevidamia.com. Use promo code afroaloha at checkout for additional savings. For private charters, contact The Vida Mia directly. Be sure to mention Afro Aloha sent you to receive special offers.

    1h 9m
  7. Episode 12: Amy Benson X Tashara Parker

    02/07/2025

    Episode 12: Amy Benson X Tashara Parker

    Tashara Parker, 5-time Emmy Award winning journalist and Founder of Afro Aloha, Amy Benson, join forces in Honolulu for a special crossover episode of the Afro Aloha Podcast and Loud and Clear Show. What does it meant to be 'LOUD?" In this special episode they discuss what is means to be unapologetically authentic, beauty standards, self-value, the balance of prioritizing your culture while being stewards of the space you occupy on native land, entrepreneurship, redefining community, and more.

    57 min
  8. Episode 11: Lehman Bliss

    06/29/2024

    Episode 11: Lehman Bliss

    Lehman Bliss, an Atlanta native, Savannah State graduate, and US Navy sailor, joins us on the Afro Aloha Podcast. In this episode, we delve into the complexities of joining and serving in the US military, the importance of therapy for black men, building healthy relationships, coping with the grief of losing a parent, and navigating the transition out of the military to forge a new and brighter future. The Afro Aloha Podcast is produced by Afro Aloha and filmed in Honolulu, Hawai'i. To learn more about Afro Aloha, visit www.afroaloha.com and follow us at @afroaloha and @afroalohapodcast.

    1h 2m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

A podcast spotlighting Hawai'i's black community, featuring black entrepreneurs, creatives, educators, entertainers, and more living in Hawai'i. Afro Aloha is Hawai'i's cultural hub for black locals and travelers. To learn more, visit afroaloha.com

Information

  • Creator
    Amy Benson
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Amy Benson
  • Show Website
    Afro Aloha