Community Update

Megabon 2026

Megabon Hawaiʻi returns to Leeward Community College on Saturday, September 12, bringing the community together for an evening of bon dance, taiko and cultural performances. Presented by JCI Honolulu, Megabon celebrates the traditions that connect Hawaiʻi’s communities through music, movement and shared experiences. Whether you’re a longtime bon dancer or attending for the first time, […]

44th Annual Okinawan Festival

The 44th Annual Okinawan Festival returns to the Hawaiʻi Convention Center on September 5 and 6, 2026, for a weekend of Okinawan food, music, dance, cultural activities and family fun. Presented by the Hawaii United Okinawa Association (HUOA), the festival is supported by hundreds of volunteers who help keep Okinawan traditions thriving in Hawaiʻi. The […]

2026 Primary Debates

Hear From the Candidates Before You Cast Your Vote in partnership with Common Cause Hawaiʻi’ ʻŌlelo Community Media helps Oʻahu residents make informed decisions by providing direct access to the candidates seeking public office. Through local debates and election programming, ʻŌlelo gives voters more opportunities to hear directly from candidates before casting their ballots. Watch […]

Kids Media Workshop

ʻŌlelo Community Media is excited to partner with MIRAI HANA to host a Kids Media Workshop, giving children a hands-on introduction to the world of community media. Designed for youth ages 5-14, the workshop will take place at ʻŌlelo’s Māpunapuna studios, where participants will explore the creative and technical side of media production. Through age-appropriate […]

Hear History Read Live

250 Years of Independence As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, communities across the country are coming together to reflect on the nation’s history and founding ideals through the America250 commemoration. Here in Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi America250 Commission is leading statewide efforts to honor this historic […]

Yabusame Hawaiʻi 2026

Ancient Samurai Tradition Returns to Hawaiʻi Experience the grace, skill, and centuries-old tradition of Yabusame, the Japanese art of mounted archery, as it returns to Hawaiʻi at the breathtaking setting of Kualoa Ranch. Yabusame is a ceremonial practice dating back nearly 900 years, where archers in traditional samurai attire ride galloping horses while shooting arrows […]

King Kamehameha Day

ʻŌlelo Community Media is proud to share coverage of the 2026 King Kamehameha Day celebrations on Oʻahu, honoring the legacy of King Kamehameha I, the monarch who united the Hawaiian Islands. The 2026 theme, “E kū, e hoʻololi” (“Stand upright and change unpleasant conditions”), reflects the enduring values of leadership, resilience, and service that continue […]

Jimbo Taylor will be remembered as a beloved member of the ʻŌlelo Community Media ohana for more than two decades and a powerful presence in the Nanakuli community. His journey with ʻŌlelo began in 2003 at the Waianae Community Media Center, where he started as a part-time staff member, developed into the Training Manager and became the […]

Know Your Zone

Residents gathered at the Ewa Beach Public Library for a tsunami preparedness event focused on safety, planning, and awareness. Hosted with support from AARP Hawaiʻi and local emergency experts, the session encouraged attendees to “know your zone” and be ready before an emergency happens. Participants learned how to identify evacuation zones, understand emergency alerts, and […]

Aloha ‘Āina Fair

ʻŌlelo Community Media was proud to support the Aloha ʻĀina Fair alongside @bottles4college, a powerful, youth-led sustainability initiative founded by Genshu Price. By turning recycling into real opportunities, Bottles 4 College continues to create meaningful pathways for scholarships and community impact. Broadcast dates coming soon!    

Kawaii Kon 2026

Airing soon on ʻŌlelo channels. ʻŌlelo Community Media is proud to partner with Kawaii Kon again this year, supporting one of Hawaiʻi’s largest celebrations of anime, gaming, and pop culture. Held at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, Kawaii Kon brings together thousands of attendees, including artists, fans, and creators from across the islands and beyond. The […]

Civic Media Lab Update

Last Wednesday, students explored self-interest as an important foundation of community organizing. Each student reflected on their lived experiences, values, and motivations—and how these shape the ways they choose to engage politically and in their communities. We were also excited to welcome guest speakers from grassroots organizations including Hawaii Workers Center and Lahui Foundation who […]

Producer Lab

Turn Your Creative Vision Into Community Impact Ready to turn your creative vision into compelling, community-focused media content, but unsure where to begin? Many aspiring filmmakers, media producers, and content creators have powerful stories they want to tell, but navigating the path from idea to finished project can feel overwhelming. That’s where ʻŌlelo Community Media’s […]

ʻŌlelo Production Van at Shoots Summit Happy New Year! We’re excited to share details for those of you attending the upcoming Shoots Summit next weekend. ʻŌlelo Community Media will be bringing our ʻŌlelo Production Van once again, offering students a unique opportunity to participate in the creation of a simulated live broadcast. Through this hands-on […]

What Community Media Can Do That Social Media Can’t

In a world dominated by algorithms, community media remains one of the few spaces driven by people and prioritized over clicks. Social media has proven to be a powerful tool for sharing content quickly and easily. But what appears in a feed is shaped by user data. Important local stories can easily get buried beneath […]

New Member Orientation

Engage with ‘Ōlelo Community Media at our New Member Orientation! Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026 Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm Location: Mapunapuna Main Studio, 1122 Mapunapuna Street, Honolulu HI 96819 Register Now [Eventbrite] Join us for our upcoming New Member Orientation, where you’ll learn how ‘Ōlelo Community Media can empower you to share your message with the community […]

Celebrating 50 Years of Hōkūle’a

Navigating by the Stars Hawai‘i’s legendary voyaging canoe first launched on March 8, 1975. Since then, it has completed 14 major voyages including Tahiti, Aotearoa, Rapa Nui, Japan, Canada, and the continental United States. Honoring Roots: The Start of a New Voyage In partnership with the Polynesian Voyaging Society and Alaska Airlines, ʻŌlelo Community Media […]

Media Training Creates New Opportunities at WCCC

A Different View of Community Storytelling Viewers see the stories that are told in front of a camera, but for a special group of women their story is behind the camera. Six workforce development interns from the Women’s Community Correctional Center (WCCC) took part in supporting ʻŌlelo Community Media’s recent broadcast of the Honolulu City […]