culture

Boys Of The Ocean, also known as Boto Bangaz, is a local rap group striving to make a name for themselves, creating music about their experiences growing up local in Hawaiʻi.

In the last several decades, tango has broken through stereotypes of who leads and who follows. Tango instructor Gaby Mataloni hosted workshops in Hawaiʻi earlier this year. She hopes to flip the script on gender roles in dance. Read and listen to the full story from HPR's Cassie Ordonio.

As Hōkūleʻa sails around the Pacific, a Molokaʻi member of the canoe's original crew reflects on the 47th anniversary of their voyage. On July 4, 1976, Penny Martin and her fellow crewmembers set sail from Tahiti, bringing the canoe back home to Hawaiʻi. HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol talked with her.

The state wants to remove the historic ship, which is the only surviving iron-hulled four-masted full rigged ship in the world, from Honolulu Harbor. To do so, it must also delist Falls of Clyde from the State and National Register of Historic Places.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation said it cannot move forward with issuing a Request For Proposals to remove the historic vessel from the harbor until it goes through the planning and entitlement process.

Drag shows have long been a staple of Pride Month celebrations. As Pride Month comes to a close, HPR Reporter Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi takes us to Hilo for the Official Pride After Party Drag Show.

Amy Benson created Afro Aloha to bring the community together around art, entrepreneurship, wellness and joy. Benson said she recently rebranded the business to encourage Black people on the neighboring islands to participate in the events. HPR's Cassie Ordonio reports.

State Sen. Sharon Moriwaki discusses the toxic waste beneath the pavement in Kakaʻako Makai; HPR's Casey Harlow details a proposal to streamline affordable housing projects; the Hawaii Association of the Blind prepares for its upcoming annual convention; and the writer of the play iHula talks about its genesis

While many cultural staples were brought back last year, others were still put on hold due to the pandemic. HPR's Jayna Omaye reports on the return of Night in Chinatown on Saturday, the New Year's ʻOhana Festival on Sunday, and the Honolulu Festival in March.

For the past two years, the Aloha Festivals was held virtually due to the pandemic. Founded in 1946, the festival is a cultural celebration of Hawaiʻi’s music, dance and history. The festivities return in person, starting Saturday, Sept. 10. HPR's Jayna Omaye has more.