Jayna Omaye
Born and raised on Oʻahu, Jayna Omaye loves writing about the communities she grew up in and highlighting the challenges and successes that make Hawaiʻi so special.
Before joining Hawaiʻi Public Radio, Jayna was the ethnic and cultural affairs reporter at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. While at the newspaper, she mentored and taught high school students about journalism as part of a youth storytelling project that she spearheaded about Hawaiʻi’s Japanese American veterans.
Jayna has also worked as a reporter at the Orlando Sentinel newspaper in Florida and as a staff writer at Honolulu Magazine, where she won numerous local and national awards for her stories on arts, culture and history.
A Moanalua High School graduate, she earned her master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon. When she’s not chasing a story, Jayna enjoys dancing hula and playing taiko.
She covered culture and arts for Hawaiʻi Public Radio from 2022 to early 2023.
-
Hepua Hermosura will lead Queen’s initiatives to better serve and support Hawaiʻi’s diverse communities. She says that includes ensuring all identities are represented in decision making. HPR's Jayna Omaye has more. -
Jeannie Lum grew up immersed in her Filipino culture. She says that fueled many of her passions and hopes to bring that to her role as the head of the Filipino Community Center. HPR's Jayna Omaye has more. -
Since unveiling the first-of-its-kind facility, We Are Oceania officials say they have worked with hundreds of Micronesian youth, focusing on college, career and community. HPR's Jayna Omaye has more. -
Kumu hula Auliʻi Mitchell has worked for more than 30 years to bring back the critically endangered practice of hula kiʻi. Now, he has curated an exhibit at the Downtown Art Center featuring puppets of all sizes. HPR's Jayna Omaye has more. -
It’s been six months since the state designated 2022 as the year of the limu. HPR’s Jayna Omaye updates us on what’s been happening and what’s coming up. -
The U.S. House and Senate passed a bill that establishes a commission to study the feasibility of creating a museum. Biden signed it into law last month. HPR's Jayna Omaye has more. -
The Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is partnering with the Palau National Weather Service and other organizations in the region. They recently deployed a Waverider buoy, the only buoy of its kind in Palau. HPR's Jayna Omaye has more. -
Staff from the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi plan to travel to the National Archives in Washington, D.C. to scan and photograph paper documents from Honoʻuliʻuli Internment Camp. It's being funded by a $70,000 grant from the National Park Service. HPR's Jayna Omaye has more. -
“Mauka to Makai, Honolulu Cityscapes of the 1850s” will feature about 30 prints, watercolors and drawings. They show the city’s iconic landmarks, businesses and people. Seen above is a piece of work from 1855 depicting King Kamehameha III’s funeral procession. HPR's Jayna Omaye has more. -
For the past two years, the Mōʻiliʻili Summer Fest was canceled because of the pandemic. The cultural staple returns Saturday to celebrate the rich history of the Mōʻiliʻili area with live entertainment, a bon dance and keiki activities. HPR's Jayna Omaye has more about what to expect.
