Off da Mic

We hang out with HiSessions Hawaii's Jon Yamasato, Devon Nekoba and Kyle Shimabukuro. It's all about the music that shapes us and makes us. And why are Jon and Devon sitting in a closet while Kyle is rocking the ambient lighting and a wall full of...beverages??

Special guest Mele Apana is one of the most influential personalities in Hawai`i. Her reach spans decades in the radio, music and hula industries. This crazy, fun, wacky but incredibly loving wahine shares stuff she's never shared before in her first podcast. EVER. We are honored.* Couple of links to hit up for stuff we discuss: CNHA Pop Up Makeke - how to support local and buy local Kanile`a Kollaboration of Artists celebrating master luthier Joe Souza's 50th birthday RJ Paiva GoFundMe - a firefighter fighting for his life to battle cancer *Note: something went crazy with the audio partway through the interview but you're gonna wanna stay all the way...it's worth it!

Hawai`i's music industry suffers another blow with the loss of Mana`o Company front man and our dear brother Kaulana Pakele. We remember the man and his aloha. Then it's the reunion of Da Short & Sweet Show as special guest Shannon Scott walks us through the early days of KCCN FM100, celebrating 30 years on air. J-Irie believes he was their #1 intern. He is SO WRONG. Danny Kennedy of The Mana`o Co. on Kaulana Kapena Tribute to Kaulana Kaulana's #realtalk video post: kuleana (responsibility)

We reminisce, sharing our unforgettable moments with powerhouse performer Willie K. who succumbed to cancer after a hard-fought two year battle. Our aloha to the Kahaiali'i 'ohana at this time. We have only the greatest respect for this amazing guy and a great story that takes place on Bourbon Street, New Orleans. Then we connect with long time radio/TV personality Billy V., one of the founding radio jocks of a groundbreaking radio station celebrating 30 years - KCCN FM 100.3 Honolulu.

First guests ever!! We talk story with Ed Sugimoto of VHO7V (how do you say that??) and Jody Kamisato of Ukulele Hale. These two proud Kaiser grads (Eastside represent!) are business owners who are making a difference in their communities using rice, noodles, `ukuleles and choke ALOHA

Nicknames - terms of endearment or badges of shame. Sometimes they stick to you worse than super glue, no matter how old you get and what you grow up to be. **Short on time? We got you! ODM Shorts are 15 minutes or less. Listen, laugh, then get on with your day. :) Lina Girl & J-Irie

Episode two finds Lina Girl and J-Irie begging for sound effects, clearing (or causing) confusion with re-opening Hawai`i and defining a "Karen." So How's Dis - retracting opening dates, recalling money and 808 Karen On Da Mauna - we honor Hawai`i artist FIJI @f1j1 as we celebrate his big birthday event coming up on FB Live Fri 5/8 at 5pm HST. We discuss the BEST Fiji songs. Remember...four go up, one comes down. Shouts and Salts - what makes us say YAY and what makes us say OH, NAY!!

"May the 4th Be With You." One of us knows what this means. The other doesn't. Craziness ensues. Off da Mic Shorts are the in-between kinda stuff, short little gems you can listen to when you've only got 15 minutes and you need the world not to suck for a little while.

We've been introducing ourselves individually to our radio listeners for years with no problem. Put us in a room together for our very first podcast episode and this happens. Enjoy the train wreck. LOL

We've worked for the same radio company for years and have had the greatest convos, debates and talk story sessions "off da mic", all while our radio listeners were enjoying their fave Hawaiian or island or reggae songs. And now, you get to be a part of it! This is what happens when or "on air" mics turn off. In this first ever ep: So How's Dis - all the important stuff happening NOW. Straight up: this pandemic sucks but we're figuring out how to cope. On Da Mauna - four go up, one comes down. Mauna means mountain in Hawaiian and we got the tallest one in the world here from sea level to summit so only the BEST make the cut. This ep - Best Jawaiian bands. BONUS: what IS Jawaiian!??? Shouts and Salts - the good and the jacked up. Lina Girl's got a problem with Salts...