In this electrifying episode of Rabbit Holes, host Kawika Hoke sits down with piano firestarter Henri Herbert, the UK-born, Nashville-based boogie and blues phenom whose fingers have earned him viral fame, sold-out tours, and praise from The New Yorker and BBC Music alike.

From viral performances at London’s St Pancras Station to headlining prestigious venues like the Blue Note, Henri brings the raw power of American blues into every room he touches.

In this intimate conversation, recorded ahead of his Maui performances, Henri reflects on live performance as spiritual release and why he’s still chasing the groove like it's the first time.

Come for the music. Stay for the soul.

🎹 Featured Guest:

🎶 Music Featured in This Episode:

➤ May 10, Saturday – 7:30 PM

➤ May 13, Tuesday – 7:00 PM

🌱 Support Independent Broadcasting

If you believe in fearless interviews, local storytelling, and independent public media, support the movement at LPBCMaui.org

In this special Rabbit Holes feature, host Kawika Hoke sits down with American virtuoso guitarist Tye Austin, whose ability to make the guitar "sing like it was invented only to be in his hands" (NBC News) has taken him from the stage of Carnegie Hall to the shores of Maui.

What unfolds is more than just a musician’s backstory—it’s a meditation on presence, artistry, and how sound shapes the spaces we live in. Recorded roadside on Maui, the interview explores Tye’s relationship to place, legacy, genre, and silence.

Whether you’re a musician, a creative, or someone trying to find rhythm in a chaotic world—this conversation will leave you listening more carefully.

🎸 Featured Guest:

🎶 Music in this Episode:

🎟️ UPCOMING TOUR DATES:

➤ May 9, 2025 – 7:30PM

➤ May 15, 2025 – 7:00PM

➤ May 16, 2025 – 7:00PM

➤ May 18, 2025 – 7:00PM

➤ June 7, 2025 – 4:30PM

📢 Support Independent Public Broadcasting

If you value local storytelling, fearless conversations, and indie public media—please consider supporting us at:

In this episode of Rabbit Holes, we take a deep look at the Wailea 670 (Honuaʻula) development and the long-standing fight over its impact on Maui. What started as a plan to provide mixed-use residential housing has morphed into yet another luxury-driven project, with broken promises along the way.

We explore:

The Maui Planning Commission is holding a special public hearing on March 11, 2025 to determine the future of Wailea 670. Your voice matters.

📍 In-Person Testimony:

💻 Virtual Testimony:

📧 Email Written Testimony:

📜 County Agenda & Meeting Details:

For listeners who want to explore more about Wailea 670’s history, the legal battle, and environmental concerns, here are key resources we used in this episode:

📜 Wailea 670 (Honuaʻula) Development History – Maui Tomorrow

🌿 Sierra Club Maui: Honuaʻula Project Update (2024)

📜 Maui News: Honuaʻula Project Clears Planning Commission (2022)

⚖️ Maui County Official Archive – Wailea 670 Approvals

📢 Sierra Club Maui: Community Action Against Honuaʻula

📅 Civil Beat: Honuaʻula Project Delays Continue Amid Legal Disputes (Feb 2024)

🌎 Office of Hawaiian Affairs: Land Sovereignty & Honuaʻula Case Study

🎙️ Host & Producer: Kawika Hoke

🎵 Music in this Episode:

📢 Help us grow the conversation. If this episode resonated with you, share it, leave a review, and let people know what’s at stake.

🌿 Stay informed. Stay engaged. Keep questioning everything.

What if your favorite movies, the daily news, and viral social media trends weren't just reflections of reality but carefully manufactured narratives designed to keep you inside a controlled paradigm? In this episode of Rabbit Holes, we break down the illusion of choice in media—how Hollywood, the corporate news cycle, and social media algorithms manufacture reality, shape public perception, and influence what we think we know.

From the six corporations that control 90% of American media to the scripted nature of modern journalism and the algorithmic chokehold on social media, we uncover how the stories we consume are chosen for us—and what that means for critical thinking, free speech, and independent thought.

Buckle up, truth seekers. It's time to go down the rabbit hole.

⏱️ 00:00 – Cold Open: The "Algorithmic Reality" We Live In

How media shapes your worldview before you even realize it.

⏱️ 00:31 – Intro & Show Overview

Welcome to Rabbit Holes, plus what's coming up in this episode.

⏱️ 03:53 – Segment 1: Hollywood & The Illusion of Choice

Why every blockbuster, reboot, and franchise film feels the same—and how radical ideas get absorbed and neutralized.

⏱️ 10:40 – Segment 2: The Manufactured News Cycle – A Scripted Reality

How corporate ownership, pre-approved narratives, and algorithmic curation ensure you only hear what the system wants you to hear.

⏱️ 19:31 – Segment 3: Social Media – The Controlled Opposition Engine

From algorithmic censorship to astroturfing and AI-generated influencers, we explore how digital platforms shape public opinion while maintaining the illusion of free speech.

⏱️ 26:58 – Segment 4: Weird of the Week – The Fake Reality Machine

A real-life case study on how AI-generated content, bot networks, and viral misinformation can create entirely fabricated events—and why most people never notice. How do you break out of the media manipulation cycle, think critically, and take back control of your attention?

⏱️ 33:57 – Show Credits & Outro

Producer, music credits, and where to find us online.

Want to dig deeper? Here are some of the key sources that helped shape this episode:

This episode features music from the following artists:

Produced by: Kawika Hoke for Laulima Public Broadcasting, Kihei, HI

📩 Follow us for updates and behind-the-scenes content!

📱 Socials: @RabbitsOnSunday

📬 Contact: [email protected]

© Rabbit Holes Podcast, 2025. All rights reserved.

Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to:

✅ Subscribe to Rabbit Holes on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Podbean and wherever you get your podcasts.

✅ Leave a review – Help us stay independent by rating and reviewing the show!

✅ Join the discussion – Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @RabbitsOnSunday and tell us: What stories do YOU think the media isn't telling?

👀 Got a rabbit hole you think we should explore? Drop us a tip in the comments or our DMs.

🎙 Welcome to Season 5 of Rabbit Holes! 🚀

We're kicking off this season with a deep dive into the future of social media—and how Hawaiʻi is making waves in the digital space. With TikTok’s ban shaking up the industry and corporate social media platforms facing growing distrust, HiLite has emerged as a Hawaiian-centric alternative built for creators by creators.

Joining us today is Sammy, the visionary behind HiLite, to discuss:

💡 Plus, in our opening editorial, we explore:

Whether you’re a creator, a consumer, or just someone tired of the same old algorithmic nonsense, this episode is for you.

🎧 Hit play, and let’s go down the rabbit hole.

📝 Produced by: Kawika Hoke for Laulima Public Broadcasting, Kihei, HI

📢 Follow us for updates and behind-the-scenes content!

© Rabbit Holes Podcast, 2025. All rights reserved.

Kawika sits down solo to talk about the world around us.

~Community Announcements~

• Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
  

~Topics~

• Facebook Class Action Lawsuit

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Rabbit Holes is Produced by Kawika Hoke ©2023

Kawika sits down again with Brad Starks to talk about pop culture.

~Community Announcements~

• Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
  

~Topics~

• Phantom of The Opera closes long-time run

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Rabbit Holes is Produced by Kawika Hoke ©2023

Kawika welcomes Sam Peralta back to the show to discuss the world around us.

~Community Announcements~

• Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
  

~Topics~

• Adobe announces AI Video Editing

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Rabbit Holes is Produced by Kawika Hoke ©2023

Kawika spends his Sunday dishing on the best episode of The Mandalorian yet.

~Community Announcements~

• Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
  

~Topics~

• AI Voice Cloning Scams

Listen Live on KAKU 88.5 FM Tues/Wed/Thurs/Sun or Watch Rabbit Holes on The MauiStream App FREE

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Rabbit Holes is Produced by Kawika Hoke ©2023

Kawika rides solo to talk about AI, Child Labor, and the return of Billy McFarland.

~Community Announcements~

• Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
  

~Topics~

• AI Reaches New Heights

Listen Live on KAKU 88.5 FM Tues/Wed/Thurs/Sun or Watch Rabbit Holes on The MauiStream App FREE

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Stay Connected with the show and our host:

Rabbit Holes is Produced by Kawika Hoke ©2023