Heidi Chang

Remembering Beloved Hawaiian Musician Martin Pahinui

Heard on NPR – The gifted and beloved Hawaiian musician Martin Pahinui has died.

Tyrus Wong at his home in Sunland, CA 2004. Photo © Peter Brenner, Mural by Tyrus Wong © 1955

Tyrus Wong: Chinese American Artist Broke Barriers, Reached Back Centuries to Create Bambi

Heard on Voice of America – A look back at the inspiring legacy of Tyrus Wong, who’s best known for creating the look of the film “Bambi,” and passed away at the age of 106.

‘Moana’ Making Waves Around Globe

Heard on Voice of America – Disney’s animated movie “Moana” is riding a wave of popularity around the globe.

Limahuli Garden and Preserve is set in a verdant tropical valley on the north shore of the Hawaiian Island of Kaua`i. Against a backdrop of majestic Mt. Makana, the garden overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Photo: Courtesy National Tropical Botanical Garden.

Ancient Hawaiian Farmers Offer Lessons in Sustainability

Heard on Voice of America – Explore how Limahuli Garden and Preserve can be a model of sustainability for Hawaii and the world.

‘Mother Of Outcasts’ To Be A Saint For Leprosy Work

Heard on NPR – Mother Marianne Cope become’s Hawaii’s second saint, honored for caring for people in Hawaii with leprosy, now known as Hansen’s disease.

Soundtracking “The Descendants” With “Real” Hawaiian Music

Heard on NPR – The Oscar-winning film “The Descendant’s” is the first Hollywood movie scored entirely with Hawaiian music.

Hawaii Ukulele Festival

Heard on PRI’s The World – Each year, Hawaii’s Ukulele Festival attracts thousands of people from around the world. Lately, the instrument is seeing a resurgence, thanks in part to musicians like Jake Shimabukuro, who headlined the 40th Annual Ukulele festival.

Father Damien of Molokai: Hawaii’s First Saint

Heard on AARP Radio – In 2009, the Belgian priest, known as Father Damien, was declared a saint for his extraordinary service in caring for patients with Hansen’s disease on the Hawaiian island of Molokai in the 19th Century. Watch and listen to an audio slideshow.

Obama’s Hawaiian Getaway

Heard on Weekend America – After months of non-stop campaigning, presidential candidate Barack Obama returns to Hawaii, where he was born, to enjoy time with his family and friends, and rejuvenate. (2008)

Kealii Reichel -Global Hit

Heard on PRI’s The World – When Hawaii’s highest musical honors, the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, were announced in 2008, Kealii Reichel won another Hoku, this time for Best Music Video DVD of the Year.

Bassist Lyle Ritz: Father of Jazz Ukulele

Heard on NPR – Ever since Lyle Ritz recorded the world’s first jazz ukulele album more than 50 years ago, he’s been called the “Father of Jazz Ukulele.” He recorded his latest CD, “No Frills,” all by himself on his laptop computer, playing both ukulele and bass.

Humpback Whale Song

Heard on Living on Earth – Ever wonder why humpback whales sing? Zoologist Jim Darling has been trying to solve that mystery. And he’s made some unusual discoveries.

Surfing Legend Duke Kahanamoku Gets A Stamp

Heard on PRI’s The World – Discover why surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku continues to inspire people worldwide and why he’s been honored on a U.S. postage stamp.

Nona Beamer: Hawaiian Elder (1923-2008)

Heard on NPR – Nona Beamer dedicated her life to preserving Hawaiian culture. She was a gifted storyteller, hula dancer, songwriter and teacher. Her legacy continues to touch many people today.

Wayfinders: Polynesian Navigation

Heard on NPR – When the Hawaiian canoe Hokulea was built in the 70′s, it helped spark a Hawaiian cultural renaissance and a rebirth in polynesian voyaging throughout the Pacific. The documentary, “Wayfinders: A Pacific Odyssey,” chronicles that revival and some of Hokulea’s early voyages.

Bla Pahinui

Heard on NPR – Hawaii is home to a legendary musical family –the Pahinui’s. Gabby Pahinui is called the “Father of Modern Slack Key Guitar.” Since his death in 1980, three of his sons have been carrying on his musical legacy. One of them is Bla Pahinui.

Billy Higgins

Heard on NPR – A profile of Billy Higgins, one of the most recorded drummers in jazz. For years, he also nurtured a new generation of musicians at his cultural center in Los Angeles.

Hapa

Heard on NPR – Hapa is the Hawaiian word for half, and it’s often used to refer to someone of mixed race. Hapa is also the name of one of Hawaii’s most popular bands. The musicians chose the name because one is a native Hawaiian and the other a native New Yorker. (Profile of the founding members of Hapa.)

Keola Beamer – Tales from the Dream Guitar

Heard on NPR – Hawaiian slack key guitar master Keola Beamers takes you on a magical journey with his music, including his CD Moe`uhane Kika – Tales from the Dream Guitar.

Heidi Chang

Heidi Chang is an award-winning multimedia journalist, who produces stories about Hawaii and the Pacific Rim for radio, TV, digital media and print. As a reporter, producer, host and anchor, she’s contributed to local, national and international media.