In this episode, we share space and song with Kukui, a musician, law student, and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi advocate whose life flows with aloha and mele (song, poetry, chant). This conversation is a testament to her love of music and how to her, mele is moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy). After seven years away, she returns home to Oʻahu with kuleana to teach and nurture others through oli (chant), cultural protocol, and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language). Kukui was raised in a family of musicians and has always been surrounded by music. From Afrobeats to '70s throwbacks to classic Hawaiian melodies, she hopes to create more spaces where music and ʻohana come together to kanikapila (play music).
Kukui shares how patience and a “let’s learn together” mindset have shaped her path from her home in Waimānalo to studying at Ka Haka ʻUla ʻO Keʻelikōlani at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Through stories of spirituality and creative flow, she reminds us that mele transcends sound as identity, prayer, and the heartbeat of family.
Episode Highlights
00:00 Welina mai, e Kukui!
00:32 Moving back to Oʻahu after 7 years
01:54 Big Mama Energy: teaching and mālama through spirituality and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi
04:55 On patience: ʻAʻohe hua o ka maiʻa i ka lā hoʻokahi
06:27 “Let’s learn together”: Hawaiian Club at UH Hilo (Hui Keaomālamalama) & Ka Haka ʻUla ʻO Keʻelikōlani
08:42 Waimānalo roots, learning Hawaiian before English
10:00 Lullabies forever: a musical ʻohana
11:58 The creative force and spirituality
17:22 Music and identity
20:32 Inspo: Afrobeats (Soso is a fav) and Hawaiian throwbacks (she loves Kanaka Waiwai)
22:46 Mele is the heartbeat of ʻohana
29:06 On the horizon
Enjoy mele from a special playlist Kukui created:
Check out Nā Puke Wehewehe for Hawaiian > English translations.
Recorded August 2025
Photo credit: Kukui
Episode Art: Molly Mamaril
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Credits
🎙️ Host & Producer: Molly Mamaril
🎸 Guitar: Amund Gismervik
