Abstract Magazine

"I firmly believe that you have to be a content creator to break into the entertainment industry, now more than ever. That’s the calling card: show us your voice," says 'Detective Pikachu' and 'Goosebumps' Director Rob Letterman.

Today and tomorrow, Letterman’s helping mentor local filmmakers (along with 'Moana' and 'Adrift' screenwriting bros Aaron and Jordan Kandell!) here in downtown Honolulu. It’s all part of the 2019 ‘Ohina Filmmakers Lab, where Hawai‘i storytellers and creatives have the opportunity to hone their skills by learning from Hollywood pros. At the end of the Lab, one project will be selected and tapped for production in 2020 by Ohina Films.

Want to learn more about the Ohina Short Film Showcase or meet the Kandells and Letterman? There’s a free Q & A tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Doris Duke Theatre. Come by to ask all your film-related questions. (Or, you know, questions about Moana and Pikachu, no shame)

Back in 2016, it seemed unbelievable that KTUH Honolulu—Hawai‘i's first noncommercial FM radio station—would be more than doubling its signal strength across O‘ahu, from 3,000 to 7,000 watts of power. (And changing its longtime callsign from 90.3 to 90.1 FM). But that impressive feat was surpassed only three years later with another achievement earlier this summer: the station's 50th anniversary.

For a college radio station that has been playing music for longer than humans first stepped foot on the moon, KTUH is still spry. While music in our modern era seems to be dominated by streaming services like Spotify and YouTube, 91% of Americans age 12 and older listen to AM/FM radio, according to a 2015 Nielsen RADAR study. 63% of drivers still use regular AM/FM radio as their primary audio source. Luckily for all of us here in Hawai‘i, "the only station that loves you" isn't going anywhere.

To celebrate this golden anniversary, KTUH has a variety of upcoming events planned, culminating in an impressive concert at Hawaiian Brians on October 4th that'll be a mix of old-school and new-school: with legendary songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson - RT, mashup music pioneer DJ Z-Trip, and Hawaii's own savvy dj mr.nick. (KTUH50.brownpapertickets.com)

Interested in partying with DJs, college students, and music lovers? Preview the vibe tonight at UH's Manoa Gardens / Bale, where local bands Ragamuffs, No Villains Left, and goon lei goon will be rocking out from 6 to 9 pm as part of a special concert series for the station. Or tune in 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 90.1 FM in Honolulu or online at KTUH.org.

Mahalo KTUH! Five decades in and still going strong.

It’s been a minute, but we’re on the road again.

The Land That Time Forgot:
Happy Holidays from Ala Moana Center on Christmas Day, circa 2010

For the past two years, 'Lost' and 'Hawai‘i Five-0' actor Jorge Garcia has been helping design and build epic haunted houses in Kailua. But it’s for a good cause: Garcia, along with fellow theatre veterans and scaremasters Kevin Keaveney, Rebecca Birdsall, and Therese Olival of Skeleton Key Hawaii donates the admission proceeds to help support Kailua Onstage Arts / KOA Theater, a new theatre company on the windward side.

Care to visit their "CarnEVIL of Screams?" (Photographer Raul Soria Jr. braved it recently to snag this photo.) The Hamakua Drive haunt runs tonight and tomorrow from 7 to 10 p.m. For more info, visit skeletonkeyhawaii.com. And have a happy Halloween!

A hui hou, Wailana

The Ohina Short Film Showcase, Hawai‘i’s biggest annual short film festival, returns to the Hawaii Theatre Center tomorrow night for their most daring event yet. For the first time in 18 years, ‘Ohina has helped create a film of its own: presenting the sci-fi thriller 'Kālewa,' written and directed by local filmmaker Mitchel Viernes and produced in partnership with the ‘Ohina team.

Viernes’ screenplay was selected as the "Greenlight" award winner at last year’s ‘Ohina Filmmakers Lab with Black Panther screenwriter Joe Robert Cole and fast-tracked for production earlier this year. This year’s Ohina Filmmakers Lab features guest mentors Dana Ledoux Miller of Narcos on Netflix and HBO’s The Newsroom, and Eric Pearson, screenwriter of Thor: Ragnarok and Marvel’s Agent Carter on ABC.

To catch Kālewa The Film, as well as the four other incredible movies by local filmmakers Erin Lau, Ty Sanga, Brayden Yoder, Alika Maikau, and Jonah Okano, go to ohina.org. Screenings are scheduled tomorrow in Honolulu and throughout the month in Kahului, Hilo, and Waimea; these powerful short films are not to be missed. Catch a trailer for this year's showcase online at vimeo.com/285953620

And stay tuned for more from ‘Ohina. This small but mighty group is making big waves in Hawai‘i’s local film community. is now.

Providing a snapshot of the “state of the art” of local photography in the Islands, Pacific Media Arts presents their 10th annual ‘Contemporary Photography in Hawai'i’ show currently on display at The ARTS at Marks Garage in downtown Honolulu.

This juried exhibition is a showcase of works by artists in Hawai'i (such as Brandon Miyagi, whose photo is pictured here) using photographic processes ranging from analog, digital, mixed media, and beyond.

Interested in seeing more? Catch the gallery now through August 31—or meet the artists themselves, at the opening reception from 6 to 8 pm tonight at Marks Garage. See you there?

Charcuterie, anyone? Outdoor Junkiez co-founder Drew Farwell presents a selection of housemade pâté de campagne, house ham, mousse de foie, house grain mustard, pickles, and crostini at Grondin, Chinatown’s French-Latin kitchen that Abstract had the opportunity to embark on a food adventure with, in our 9th issue.

Pop in for brunch today or tomorrow from 10 am to 2 pm (or tonight, from 5 to 9 pm) to greet owners Jenny Grondin and Dave Segarra before Grondin closes its doors downtown tomorrow. We’ll miss meals like the ratatouille, Kaua'i prawn ceviche, adobo pork chop, and unreal cubanos, but we’re also excited to see what new projects Jenny and Dave are working on next.

Mahalo Grondin, for 4+ years of incredible dishes and drinks!

"For someone who sells w**d for a living, think you would've learned how to roll by now."

Local filmmakers Alika Maikau and Jonah Okano share a story of windward O'ahu in Mauka To Makai Film, a new short film that follows Akamu as he struggles to find balance in life, with the help of his cousin Kaipo, and his tight-knit Kāne'ohe community. Set against the Ko'olaus and the shores of Kahalu'u, Akamu’s life isn't as beautiful as his surroundings—but family values and a sense of place provide avenues to help him navigate and find his own way.

For more info about this upcoming film set to debut at this year’s Ohina Short Film Showcase (or how you can donate to assist Alika and Jonah during postproduction), visit maukatomakaifilm.com/

Noe is just your average twentysomething: she goes to college, parties with people—and tries to keep from turning into a giant lizard when she gets upset. Her friend Marcella becomes a mountain lion when she’s aggravated, and Blaine becomes a shark.

These contemporary Kapua are equipped with the ability to manifest ancient demigod powers, which can be a gift or a curse. (Just ask Noe.)

Now playing at Kumu Kahua Theatre: ‘Demigods Anonymous,’ a world premiere by Noa Helela! Performances run tonight and every weekend through April 22. Save your seats now for this local absurd comedy online by calling the box office at 808-536-4441 or visiting KumuKahua.org!

We’re catching the Academy Awards from the Halekulani Hotel! Mahalo to the Hawaii International Film Festival for sneaking us drinks and pupu, and Nella Media Group and the Ohina Short Film Showcase for letting us hang out this afternoon.

Best of luck to all the nominees—especially those promoting equal representation in the industry!