Billy V Live

The Hawaiian music group Walea wrapped up 2022 with a big achievement: winning several Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.

The group -- comprised of Koanui-Souza, David “Kekoa” Woodward and Kings Kalohelani -- won Hoku Awards for “most promising artist of the year,” “hoku mele of the year” and “liner notes of the year.”

Heading into 2023, Walea has some exciting plans, including trips to Japan and even more music.

In the latest episode of Island Beat, Billy V sits down with the three members of Walea for an in-depth chat about their Hoku Award experience and what’s next for the group.

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One of Broadway’s biggest musicals made its debut in Hawaii last month, proving to be a huge hit.

DeAundré Woods plays the title role of Alexander Hamilton, and Morgan Anita Wood plays Eliza Hamilton.

In this episode of Island Beat, Billy V chats with the two main stars of "Hamilton" to find out what it's like to perform in such a huge show.

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In a surprise announcement made on the “Tamron Hall Show,” a Hawaii-based nonprofit program learned Monday that it won a prestigious national music award.

The Lewis Prize for Music presented Hawaii’s Mana Maoli with a $500,000 Accelerator Award.

Founded in 1999, Mana Maoli is a collective of educators, artists, musicians and more who share a common goal of community empowerment. In 2013, the Mana Mele Project began.

In this episode of Island Beat, Billy V sits down and talks to Pomaikai Keawe, a kumu with Mana Maoli, and Dalouge Smith, who’s the CEO of the Lewis Prize for Music, about the program and award. 

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Calvin Dorn, founder of Paradise Helicopters, has been flying helicopters for decades. But flying over lava from the Mauna Loa eruption was unlike anything he’s ever experienced.

The day after the eruption on Nov. 27, Dorn took a group of media personnel up into the sky to capture footage of the spectacular event.

In this episode of Island Beat, Billy V hears more from Dorn about his amazing experience flying over lava from the Mauna Loa eruption. 

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Hawaii recording artist Kimie Miner has had quite the year. This past summer, she went to Portugal. But it wasn’t just any trip.

She went to the Azores, where her family is from, to learn more about her Portuguese heritage – and her identity.

In this episode of Island Beat, Billy V chats with Kimie about how this trip has inspired some new music coming up, as well as her upcoming Christmas tour. 

 

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In this episode of Island Beat, we talk about scholarships for Native Hawaiian students.

Hoala Greevy is founder CEO of Paubox, a provider of HIPAA compliant email solutions targeting health care organizations.

Paubox is now offering scholarships to encourage Native Hawaiians to pursue STEM careers.

Billy V chats with Greevy about this unique opportunity for college students.

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Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner Stacie Kuulei recently released her newest album called “Sweet Baby.”

The Kauai native started singing at an early age and has kept music in her life through the years.

But when she’s not singing, you can find her in a classroom … as a school teacher.

In this episode, Billy V talks story with Kuulei to learn more about her fascinating life and career.   

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The Hawaii International Film Festival kicks off Nov. 3 with "The Wind and the Reckoning."

The film centers on the real-life events of the 19th century leprosy outbreak and the events of the Koolau Rebellion in Hawaii.

In this episode of Island Beat, Billy V talks to two of the movie's stars: Hawaii actors Jason Scott Lee, who plays Koolau, and Lindsay Watson, who plays Piilani.

They share what it was like working on the movie and overcoming some challenges, including filming during the height of the pandemic and speaking in Olelo Hawaii. 

(Trailer: Lynmar Entertainment)

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It’s been two years since Haleiwa native Thunderstorm Artis made Hawaii proud as a top three finalist on NBC’s “The Voice.”

Since then, it’s been nothing but good things for the singer-songwriter — from releasing new music to touring with big names like Train and Jack Johnson.

One of his songs was even featured in an episode of the hit TV series “Grey’s Anatomy.”

All of that while also keeping busy as a new dad!

In this episode of Island Beat, Billy V catches up with Thunderstorm to get an update on everything he's been up to lately. 

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Ukulele virtuoso and composer Taimane Gardner has a new album out that's four years in the making. 

Her latest album, "Hawaiki," explores her Polynesian heritage and pays tribute to her mother, who passed away in 2018. While listening to the album, you'll hear Samoan lyrics, Tahitian ukulele, Samoan fire knife drumming and more. 

In the latest episode of Island Beat, Billy V catches up with Taimane to talk about  how a trip to Samoa led to the creation of her new album. She also dishes on everything she's been up to, from touring the world to creating her own signature ukulele.

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