Much Mahalos
In this series, acclaimed author “Da Pidgin Guerrilla” Lee A. Tonouchi uses the language of Hawai‘i Creole, a.k.a. Pidgin, to talk story with accomplished and up-and coming Japanese/Okinawan Americans from Hawai‘i. Interviewees discuss their passions, their triumphs, as well as their struggles as they reflect and express their gratitude to those who have helped them on their journeys to success.
Stories from this series
Da Hawai‘i Okinawan Community Spirit: Okinawan Foodie Shari Tamashiro and da Value of Yuimāru
Nov. 27, 2025 • Lee A. Tonouchi
Back in her hanabattah days [childhood] growing up in Mililani, Hawai‘i, Shari Tamashiro, 53, nevah really ate Okinawan food even though she half Okinawan. She says it’s cuz her mom stay Japanese das why and her mom did all da cooking at home. Da one Okinawan food Shari remembahs sampling during her youth wuz da signature Okinawan dish, ashi tibichi, or Okinawan pig feet soup. She relates how being forced to try ‘em wuz one small kine traumatic experience for …
Think Peace: Composer Jenny Taira on Co-creating da Sadako Sasaki Musical Peace on Your Wings
Oct. 24, 2025 • Lee A. Tonouchi
In six grade at Kipapa Elementary Jenny Taira remembahs feeling empowered. Her drama teacher had her students writing their own original musicals and performing ‘em at da school cafeteria and on top da big stage too at Leeward Community College. One play about recycling would even feature music that Jenny wrote. Now all grown up and da co-founder of Ohana Arts, one performing arts organization for youth, Jenny, 46, teaches her students that youth can truly make one difference in …
“The Things People Don’t Want to Talk About”: Blogger Catherine Toth Fox Writes with Intention
Oct. 2, 2025 • Lee A. Tonouchi
Writer Catherine Toth Fox, 50 is one of Hawai‘i’s blogging pioneers. Cuz she shares so much about herself on top her blogs I wen assume dis Kalihi girl must’ve been one supa-talkative child, but she says in third grade when her classmates at Cathedral School wuz asked for describe her, dey chose for label her as da “quiet” one. Still yet she insists she wuz nevah shy, like she nevah got stage fright or anyting. Wuz more like she had …
Head of da Glass: Scarlett Yuki Uses Her Stained Glass Art to Educate
Aug. 13, 2025 • Lee A. Tonouchi
As one youth, stained glass artist Scarlett Yuki, 32 moved around da country a lot, nevah really having too many positive experiences at any of her schools. Da worsest wuz when she wuz in middle school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She remembahs students putting her down with Asian jokes and “teachers would laugh alongside them.” Eventually she would find her way to Hawai‘i and she would come for love da pursuit of education. And eventually she would figgah out how …
Born Again Uchinanchu—Journalist Karleen Chinen documents da Okinawan Cultural Explosion in Hawai‘i from 1980-2000
July 21, 2025 • Lee A. Tonouchi
She stay retire now, but Karleen Chinen, 72 wuz doing various forms of journalism for most her life. She wuz one newscast producer at KHON, one overnight news anchor at KHVH radio, and she did chree [three] stints at The Hawai‘i Herald, which wuz Hawai‘i's Japanese American Journal. She knows her stories. And she hates missing out on good ones. Das why when her friend Ed Kuba suggested that she write one book about Hawai‘i's Okinawan community, she thought about …
“Sketch” Comedy: Hawai‘i cartoonist Jon J. Murakami loves for be Punny
July 2, 2025 • Lee A. Tonouchi
Freelance cartoonist Jon J. Murakami, 54, he stay like how us Hawai‘i Local people like our gravy. He stay ALL OVA! Before time, almost every Local print publication I open up would get one comic strip by Jon J. Murakami inside. I go bookstore and I spahk [see] all his Gecko children’s books. I go Longs Drugs and dea he stay again, his art stay on all da Local Kine Cards. Even when I just walking around da mall people …
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Guest host Tamlyn Tomita chatted with actor Christopher Sean in the latest episode of Nima Voices about his background, acting, and community involvement.
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