PODCAST · news
Island Beat
by Hawaii News Now
Hosted by Hawaii News Now's Billy V, Island Beat features a wide variety of local entertainers and other familiar names to get a deeper look at their careers and lives.
Episodes
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After 14 Years Away, artist Brittany Paiva Tells All Through Music
Four time Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning ‘ukulele artist Brittany Paiva joined the show to celebrate her new full-length album, Through the Chaos. Billy also talks story with country star Charley about her newest single, and Hawaii-born actress Kathleen Stewart.
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Mele Apana on the inspiration behind her new music
Billy V brings you the latest in Hawaii entertainment news! With exclusive interviews from Bobby Silva, Mele Apana, and Troy Fernandez.
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Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm on their ‘America’s Got Talent’ journey
Oʻahu teenagers Nyjah Music & Zyah Rhythm talk about their experience being on NBC’s America’s Got Talent. The North Shore duo, who balance their passion for singing with surfing, captured the hearts of judges and audiences alike during their initial auditions and subsequent callback…
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‘Big Brother’ 28’s Lyric Medeiros on reuniting with showmance Rome Seymour
Fresh out of the Big Brother house, season 28 houseguest Lyric Medeiros dishes on the “cutthroat” nature of the reality competition show. Billy V also sits down with radio personality and musician Mele Apana.
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Musicians Shar Carillo & Kalei Kahalewai on their new song “Last Dance”
Billy V talks story with local musicians Shar Carillo and Kalei Kahalewai as they share their new song “Last Dance”.
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Catching up with the Honua Finals surfing competition co-founders
Billy V talks story with music group Last Minute and hears a live performance of their latest song. He also connects with Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winning musician Joshua “Baba” Kamoaniʻala Tavares, and talks story with the co-founders of the upcoming Honua Finals surfing competition.
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Anthony Pfluke on his double Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award wins and what’s next
Billy V shares this week's must-know headlines from the world of entertainment, and talks story with two-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Anthony Pfluke! Pfluke was nominated for eight Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, and took home two wins during the awards ceremony last weekend. In his conversation...
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Billy V Live: Jelynn Malone talks about her lead role in “Nurse the Dead”
Billy V Live is back with another can’t-miss conversation spotlighting entertainment news and talent with Hawaiʻi connections. In this episode, Billy sits down with rising actress Jelynn Malone and comedian Tommy Davidson to hear about their latest projects. He also talks about this weekend’s...
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Abe Lagrimas on building Hawaii's music community
Multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Abe Lagrimas gives a masterful demonstration of playing the drums. Comedian Akaash Singh talks about performing in Hawaii.
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Radio personality Kamasami Kong on his radio career
This week on Billy V Live, radio personality Kamasami Kong reflects on his career in radio and bringing back the Kong Burger.
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Hawaii News Now General Manager on the historic partnership with UH Athletics
Katie Pickman, General Manager of Hawaii News Now, sits down with Billy V to celebrate today’s historic partnership between UH Athletics and Hawaii News Now. Under a new four-year agreement beginning July 1, 2026, the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Athletics Department has selected Hawaii News…
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Mele Apana on Mother’s Day and her musical debut
Billy V unites with his former radio co-host and longtime friend Mele Apana to talk about her 17th annual Mother’s Day Spectacular in Waikiki. The show will feature performances by a variety of local musicians such as Lim Ohana, Hawaiian Style Band, Ho’onu’a, Hi’ikua, Ka La Onohi Mai O Ha’eha’e…
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Artist Kalani Peʻa on celebrating May Day on Oahu
Today on Billy V Live, four-time GRAMMY® Award-winning Hawaiian recording artist Kalani Peʻa joins Billy V to talk story about his music, his love for Hawaiʻi’s culture and language, and his upcoming May Day performance at Hawaiʻi Theatre on Sunday, May 3rd.
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An inside look at the upcoming Hawaiian Airlines May Day concert
May Day is coming and todayʻs guest is Zachary Lum, Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner, member of group Keauhou, and he is showrunner Executive Producer for the Hawaiian Airlines May Day Concert presented by the Bishop Museum on May 1, 2026.
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High Watah talks about their latest music and touring with Katchafire
High Watah is celebrating a new music release and tour, and Billy V has all the details on Billy V Live. Billy recently sat down with the Moloka’i band to talk about their latest music, what inspired the new single, and what’s ahead as they hit the road on tour.
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Merrie Monarch judge on what makes a great performance
On this special Merrie Monarch edition of Billy V Live, Billy sits down with judge Maelia Lobenstein-Carter in Hilo to talk about her deep roots in the hula community and what makes a performance special.
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Inside look at upcoming Earth, Wind & Fire concert, actor Takehiro Hira on his latest project
This week on Billy V Live, we sit down with concert promoter Rick Bartalini to talk about the upcoming Earth, Wind & Fire concert and his role in bringing top recording artists to Hawaii. We will also be talking story with Hawaii-based actor Takehiro Hira and his role in the Apple TV+ series...
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Recording artist David Ka’io on the inspiration behind his new music
This week on Billy V Live, we sit down with musician David Ka’io as he talks about the meaning behind his latest recordings, and shares his deep connection to Hawaiian music.
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Local band Ho’onua shares the latest on their upcoming events
We will have entertainment news as we talk about upcoming events, Ho’onu’a as our guests and the latest from High Watah just released music this past Friday that put them right in between two genres of music as our Music Preview.
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Jake Shimabukuro on his new album ‘Calm Seas’ and upcoming tour
This week on Billy V Live: Jake Shimabukuro dives deep into his new album and cellist Love Jack shares his modern-meets-classical sound.
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Actress Keiko Agena on her successful career and her love for Hawaii
Actress Keiko Agena shares about her acting career, her life in Los Angeles, and her love for Hawaii in this exclusive interview with Billy V.
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Super Bowl dancer Cerise Marchan shares how she prepared for the big game
This week on Billy V Live: Billy catches up with Super Bowl dancer Cerise Marchan and Hawaii Recording Artist Mike Tulba
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Logyn Okuda on writing music for the big screen; Josh Groban’s message to Hawaii
Billy sits down with composer Logyn Okuda, who writes scores for some the world’s biggest box office hits, plus singer Josh Groban kicks off his world tour in Honolulu this weekend. But first, catch up with Saint Louis graduate Taʻimua Hannemann, who stars as Mr. James Dickley in the...
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Exclusive interview with actress sisters Siena and Sydney Agudong
This week on Billy V Live: Billy sits down with the Agudong sisters and David Dunaway from the music group IMUA
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Maui musician releases new song dedicated to the people of Lahaina
On this week’s episode of “Island Beat,” Billy V. sits down with Maui native and award-winning musician Joshua Kahula. He just released a new album for the first time in 13 years. One of the songs, “Cup of Aloha,” holds a special message of healing for the people of Lahaina. See...
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HIFF44 to honor Hawaiian film “The Queen’s Flowers”
On this episode of Island Beat, Billy V. takes a look at a film being featured in this year’s Hawaiian International Film Festival. “The Queen’s Flowers” is among 24 short films and nine feature films now up for HIFF’s “Made in Hawaii” awards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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How Hawaii’s HGTV power couple went from $80K in debt to flipping homes in ‘Renovation Aloha’
Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama never dreamed they’d one day be hosting their own show on HGTV. Their new series, “Renovation Aloha,” which premiered on Feb. 20, focuses on the Kalamas’ business of buying some of the grungiest, most rundown properties on Oahu and transforming them into beautiful homes...
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Get to know Gabriel Goes, the Hawaii singer whose infectious energy impressed judges on 'The Voice'
Last week, 21-year-old Gabriel Goes, of Honolulu, passed the “blind audition” for his rendition of Sublime’s “What I Got,” getting Chance the Rapper to turn his chair. Despite the other coaches not turning their chairs, they all agreed that Goes’ energy was infectious. In the latest episode of...
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Maui's Kamalei Kawa'a praised for ‘spiritual’ performance on ‘The Voice’
It took barely seven seconds for a Hawaii singer’s talent to be recognized on “The Voice” on Monday night. Maui’s Kamalei Kawa‘a performed his own rendition of “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley and the Wailers and barely got his first chords out of before Chance the Rapper swung his chair around....
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Legendary waterman Archie Kalepa on rebuilding Lahaina — his home
When Archie Kalepa thinks back on his days growing up in Lahaina, he remembers a much different town from the tourist mecca that it used to be right before the Aug. 8 wildfire. It was a much simpler time, when he would go fishing with his grandparents. The renowned Maui waterman comes from nine...
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New Office of Hawaiian Affairs CEO describes ‘tremendous work ahead’ for agency
Stacy Kealohalani Ferreira took over as CEO of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs in November, and is already crafting a new vision for the agency. Ferreira previously served as budget chief of the Hawaii State Senate and was the executive strategy consultant and division director of Extension...
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How Phill Cain went from Waikiki scuba instructor to ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ finalist
Phill Cain was working as a scuba diving instructor at Waikiki Dive Center when he got the call to compete for a chance to win $4.56 million in the Netflix reality show “Squid Game: The Challenge.” Little did he know that he would be one of the top finalists out of 456 contestants. Spoiler alert…
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What's next for Kaylee Shimizu after her time on 'The Voice'
Kaylee Shimizu, one of Hawaii’s “The Voice” contestants, is back home in the islands. Last week, the 18-year-old was eliminated during the “playoffs” round. She delivered a powerful rendition of Quincy Jones’ “You Put a Move on my Heart,” but Coach John Legend chose other singers to move on....
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A behind-the-scenes look at filming 'Squid Game: The Challenge' with Pashyn Santos and Allison Chu
For Hawaii’s Pashyn Santos and Allison Chu, competing in the Netflix series “Squid Game: The Challenge” was unlike anything they’ve ever done. Out of some 90,000 applicants from around the world, Santos and Chu were both chosen to be in a cast of 456 people vying for a chance to win $4.56…
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Kaylee Shimizu celebrates her 18th birthday while still competing on 'The Voice'
Hawaii’s Kaylee Shimizu continues to shine on NBC’s “The Voice” as she gets ready for the playoffs round. The Ewa Beach girl just turned 18 earlier this week. In this episode of Island Beat, we check in on Shimizu to see how she's preparing for the next round of the singing competition. See...
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Casting producer for Netflix’s ‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ talks about show's debut
The newest Netflix reality series “Squid Game: The Challenge” is making its debut this week. Casting producer Bobby Silva, who was part of the West Coast team, said there are 456 people from all over the world competing in the show. This was the biggest project he’s ever worked on, he said. As a...
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Maui comedian opens up about harrowing escape from Lahaina wildfire
For Maui comedian Jose Raymond, laughter has helped him get through some of the toughest moments of his life. One of those moments: Escaping the Lahaina wildfire in August. A comedian who was born in Mexico, Raymond grew up in Watts in California and has spent the last 18 years living on Maui.…
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Hawaii girl Kaylee Shimizu continues to shine on 'The Voice'
Hawaii girl Kaylee Shimizu continues to impress on NBC's “The Voice.” The 17-year-old from Ewa Beach belted out an incredible rendition of Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t No Way” in Monday night’s “knockout round.” In this episode of Island Beat, Billy V gets an update from Kaylee on what it was like...
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How Jason Arcilla is bringing positivity to his home of Maui while on 'The Voice'
Jason Arcilla, of Maui, continues to make Hawaii proud with his successful run on the latest season of "The Voice." He stunned the judges with his chair-turning performance during the blind audition and most recently survived the battle round, defending his spot on Team Gwen. The Pukalani native...
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Kaylee Shimizu prepares for her journey on ‘The Voice’ after chair-turning audition
Kaylee Shimizu, of Ewa Beach, made Hawaii proud after singing her rendition of "Golden Slumbers" during the blind auditions of NBC's "The Voice." Her performance wowed the coaches as all four of them turned their chairs for her. Ultimately, the 17-year-old chose to be on John Legend's team.…
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New film 'Growing Up Local' embraces everything local
A new film that sheds light on the challenges and struggles of growing up in Hawaii is set to premiere in theaters this Friday. Hawaii native James Sereno is the filmmaker behind “Growing Up Local” — which explores three generations of the Nagata family. Sereno said the film is “all local,”…
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Roman De Peralta, of Kolohe Kai, releases new music amid ongoing buzz
There's been a lot of buzz about Roman De Peralta, the heart and soul behind the esteemed Hawaiian recording group Kolohe Kai, after Iam Tongi sang his song "Cool Down" at the "American Idol" finale. Amid all the buzz, De Peralta has also recently released a fresh new track titled “Hope,” in a…
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Lauren Teruya reflects on her life-changing year representing the state as Miss Hawaii 2022
It's been quite the year for Lauren Teruya, who represented the state as Miss Hawaii 2022! Under her platform "Arts for All," Teruya spent much of the year traveling to the Neighbor Islands, the mainland and Japan — working with students and teachers on ways to incorporate arts and culture into...
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Kenny Tagavilla on how growing up on Hawaii Island shaped his music
Kenny Tagavilla is a truck driver and hot rod enthusiast. But he's also a recording artist. Born and raised on Hawaii Island, the Honaunau native is making a new EP. One of his latest songs, "Kona Grown," is a nostalgic look back at the community and how fast things seem to be changing. In the...
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The story of why radio personality Mele Apana started putting on her annual Mother's Day show
Radio and television personality Mele Apana is gearing up for her 14th annual Mother’s Day show, featuring a host of local entertainers. The show first started back in May of 2006 and has been going strong since. In the years since, Apana has donated many of the proceeds from her Mother’s Day…
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'Weird Al' Yankovic is bringing his show to Hawaii, but he doesn't have to travel too far
The biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time is bringing his talents to Hawaii, but he doesn’t have to travel too far. “Weird Al” Yankovic is performing at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on Oahu on March 25 and Castle Theater on Maui on March 26 as part of his “Ridiculously Self-Indulgent,...
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Whether in Hawaii or beyond, Josh Tatofi's music is reaching fans worldwide
Na Hoku Hano Hano Award-winning artist Josh Tatofi recently came back from being on tour in Australia and Aotearoa. He was only supposed to do a couple of gigs that would be small just to test the waters. A couple hundred swelled to 700, then 1,200-seat venues. The 1,200-seat venue sold out in...
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Punahou grad Candice Hatakeyama makes Broadway debut in ‘Funny Girl’
Candice Hatakeyama always knew she wanted to be on stage. But she never imagined she’d realize her dream of being on Broadway soon after graduating from college. Just last month, the Honolulu native and Punahou School graduate made her Broadway debut with the cast of “Funny Girl,” alongside…
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After Na Hoku Hanohano Award wins, Walea heads into the new year with big plans
The Hawaiian music group Walea wrapped up 2022 with a big achievement: winning several Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. The group -- comprised of Koanui-Souza, David “Kekoa” Woodward and Kings Kalohelani -- won Hoku Awards for “most promising artist of the year,” “hoku mele of the year” and “liner notes…
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Popular Broadway musical 'Hamilton' makes Hawaii debut
One of Broadway’s biggest musicals made its debut in Hawaii last month, proving to be a huge hit. DeAundré Woods plays the title role of Alexander Hamilton, and Morgan Anita Wood plays Eliza Hamilton. In this episode of Island Beat, Billy V chats with the two main stars of "Hamilton" to find out...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Hosted by Hawaii News Now's Billy V, Island Beat features a wide variety of local entertainers and other familiar names to get a deeper look at their careers and lives.
HOSTED BY
Hawaii News Now
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Island Beat have?
Island Beat currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Island Beat about?
Hosted by Hawaii News Now's Billy V, Island Beat features a wide variety of local entertainers and other familiar names to get a deeper look at their careers and lives.
How often does Island Beat release new episodes?
Island Beat has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Island Beat?
You can listen to Island Beat on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Island Beat?
Island Beat is created and hosted by Hawaii News Now.
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