I met Puʻunui at the beginning of the year when he kindly agreed to "field test" our Hawaiian RH Shirt prototype and put the shirt through its paces. When I visited him at the office of HI93 in downtown Honolulu to drop off the shirt with him, it was only 11:30 but he had already put in a solid day's work on-air, having just wrapped up as fill-in host on the morning show.
What I thought might be a quick hand-off turned into a 30 minute talk story about the brand and about Hawaiʻi. Since then, what I've come to find out is that's just the type of guy Puʻunui is - a generous and good natured guy who's always willing to help if he can...especially if the project has a connection to his beloved Hawaiʻi.
Juggling his radio work, sound engineering & bass playing (he's recorded and performed with many artists in Hawaiʻi), he's also a man on the move. Thankfully, we were recently able to link up and talk story.
Q1. You're known for your “Cassette Tape Classics” of local hits. Who are the 3-4 artists who make it on to the all-time playlist?
This is a tough one, I really can’t pick that few so I'll give you a bunch of my favorites in no particular order. I listen to them pretty much every day, all Hawaiʻi legends in their own right.
Loyal Garner
Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
Willie K.
Kalapana
Kapena
Bruddah Waltah
Hawaiian Style Band
Kaleo O Kalani
Q2. Now that we're starting to be able to physically go places again, where do you like to go to listen to or discover new music?
Discovering new music for me is a little different than most people as I'm usually receiving advanced copies of music for radio play. I will say though that food and music are a perfect combination in my eyes and I really enjoy what The Moani restaurant in Kapolei is doing for local food and music.
Q3. Where do you see music in Hawaiʻi going? Whoʻs a new artist you've been digging lately?
We are the Land of Aloha and I don't see that going anywhere anytime soon. Whether it be Hawaiian, Reggae, Hip-Hop, R&B etc… I always find that love is and always has been a key ingredient in our music scene. One group that I'm looking forward to hearing more from is High Watah out of Molokaʻi (Insta). They've been putting in a lot of work lately and have some pretty catchy hooks.
Q4. From album covers to posters to merch, I've always felt music and visual art have a strong connection. When it comes to strong artwork, is there one band or musician in Hawaiʻi (past or present) who really stands out in your mind?
I don't know why but the Kalapana II album art to me has always been super iconic to me.
Q5. Through your radio work and your music, you must have interacted with some legends of Hawaiian music. Was there anyone who you couldn't believe you were sharing space or the stage with?
Uncle Kelly of Kapena and Uncle Del Beazley are the two that immediately stand out in my mind, the amount of Aloha and manaʻo (thoughts) that they've shown and shared with me throughout years I am forever grateful for.
Q6. You've travelled quite extensively with your work/music. When you’ve been on the road, what are some of the local spots that you miss the most?
Home is really where your heart is and when I’m on the road, I know that I'm bringing "home" - or Hawaiʻi - to our fans. That being said, when I'm on the road, the one thing I miss the most has to be white rice. We usually try to find a bag early on at the grocery store but it's usually not exactly what we have available here at home.
Q7. Also, I heard you used to volunteer at Iolani Palace? Is there anything you can share about the Palace that might not have made it on to the official visitor tour?
[Laughs] Not really, other than the fact that they need all the support we can give them. Keeping Iolani Palace operating takes a lot so the more often we visit and recommend tourists to check it out, the better the odds are that it'll be around for the future generations.
Q8. Last, you field tested our “Town” style of shirt and you work in the heart of Honolulu, yet you also get in your fair share of outdoors & beach time. So, ultimately, is Puʻunui a "Town" or "Country" guy?
Hands down I’d have to say town. Born and raised in Honolulu, Kalihi Valley to be exact, I’m used to being anywhere I need to be...and fast. Though, I also spent every weekend and summer on the North Shore in Pupukea, so I know a thing or two about being off grid and I usually never wanna leave! [laughs]