State of Aloha Andrea Olalia

In the this episode, I spoke with Paddy Kakihara, my grandmother about Hawaiian names in our ohana - naming her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids! A very personal episode that gives a a peek into my personal moʻolelo or story.

Kumu hula Pōmaikaʻi Gaui and I talk about his journey to becoming a kumu hula (hula teacher), the importance of Ōlelo Hawaiʻi in hula, incorporating your local flora in hula adornments, and how to live hula everyday.

In this episode, Kekoa Harman, an Associate Professor at the University of Hawai’i, Hilo and I discuss the evolution and re-claiming of the Hawaiian language, common mistakes when speaking Hawaiian and at the end of the episode he performs a portion of a chant.

In this episode, Catherine Fuller, a member of the Polynesian Voyaging Society (PVS) and a history teacher at ‘Iolani Schools, and I talk about the Polynesian Migration, sustainability, her experiences sailing aboard Hōkūleʻa and Wayfinding.

State of Aloha takes an in-depth look into Hawai’i beyond beautiful beaches and tourism, diving into its rich culture and history through the voices of its people. Each episode will focus on a specific piece of Hawaiian history, life, and values. Join me on this adventure of discovering the true state of aloha. Launching in May!