Hawaiʻi Public Radio has launched its first digital-first podcast, O ko mākou Hawaiʻi kēia: This Is Our Hawaiʻi. Hosted by Russell Subiono, the six-part series delves into the issues of land ownership in the Hawaiian Islands and why many locals feel excluded from the decision-making process.
Subiono will take listeners on a journey through remote communities on Hawai’i Island, Moloka’i, and Lāna’i, revealing the implications of events from the early 19th century on today’s communities. The podcast also highlights how some Island communities are forging their own path toward the future.
Episodes will be made available every Friday. The podcast is a product of HPR’s participation in a regional accelerator program with PRX, a nonprofit radio and digital programming distributor. Savannah Harriman-Pote, the executive producer of This Is Our Hawaiʻi, underwent 12 weeks of rigorous podcast development training as part of the program. In addition to training, HPR received $5,000 to cover production costs and ongoing mentorship.
HPR’s President & General Manager José A. Fajardo stated, “As a nonprofit presenter of stories, HPR continuously strives to uplift community voices. This Is Our Hawaiʻi seeks to uplift voices directly from people in remote communities in ways you may have never heard before. We invite anyone who has a deeper curiosity about Hawaiʻi to listen to this podcast.”
