Hosted by Island Emory, this episode features an in-depth interview with rising island music artist Fia, who shares his journey from Hawai‘i to the mainland, his first U.S. headlining tour, and the cultural roots that shape his sound. 

From sold-out shows across the country to representing Polynesian culture on a national stage, Fia opens up about faith, family, and the power of music to bring people together. Expect authentic storytelling, island vibes, and a powerful blend of reggae, soul, and contemporary island music.

This episode also delivers a rich mix of island favorites, showcasing the sound of the ninth island—Las Vegas—where culture, community, and music connect.

🌴 Your source of aloha
 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube
 📻 91.5 Jazz & More KUNV Las Vegas

From her role as royal advisor and co-ruler to her bold decision to help abolish the ancient kapu system, Queen Kaʻahumanu’s leadership transformed Hawaiian society and opened the door to major cultural and spiritual change across the islands.

Alongside island music and storytelling, this episode celebrates Hawaiian history, culture, and the enduring spirit of aloha that continues to inspire generations.

Listen to The Little Grass Shack, your Sunday destination for island music, Hawaiian storytelling, and cultural heritage on 91.5 Jazz & More KUNV — the best smooth jazz station in America.

Born in Honolulu in 1875, Kaiulani grew up between two worlds—Hawaiian royalty and Western influence. Sent to England for education at just 13 years old, she later traveled to the United States to advocate for the rights of the Hawaiian people after the monarchy was overthrown. Her grace, diplomacy, and unwavering love for Hawaii made her a lasting symbol of Hawaiian identity and resilience. 

Alongside this inspiring story, enjoy a rich soundtrack of Hawaiian, reggae, and island music celebrating the culture, heritage, and spirit of the islands.

The Little Grass Shack brings together island music, Hawaiian history, and talk story—keeping the spirit of aloha alive for listeners in Las Vegas and around the world.

Listen on 91.5 KUNV Las Vegas – Jazz & More

From his royal lineage and rise to power to his conquest of Oʻahu and his influence during the era leading to Kamehameha’s unification of the islands, this episode dives deep into one of Hawaii’s most formidable and visionary leaders.

Discover the meaning behind Kahekili’s iconic black war tattoos honoring the god Kū, his strategic alliances, and the golden age of Maui under his leadership. Alongside rich storytelling, the show features the best in contemporary island music, bringing the spirit of aloha to the Ninth Island and beyond.

Hosted and produced at 91.5 KUNV Las Vegas, The Little Grass Shack blends Hawaiian history, culture, and island music into one unforgettable Sunday afternoon experience.

A hui hou — keep aloha in your heart. 🌺

Blending island music with cultural storytelling, this episode explores:

• The 1893 overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani
• The role of American businessmen and U.S. Marines
• The formation of the Provisional Government and Republic of Hawaii
• The Hawaiian Patriotic League and the 21,000-signature petition
• The 1898 annexation during the Spanish-American War
• The legacy of sovereignty, resilience, and the enduring Spirit of Aloha

More than a history lesson, this broadcast honors the courage of Native Hawaiians and reflects on the lasting impact of annexation on Hawaiian identity, culture, and sovereignty movements today.

Through powerful narration and the best of Island music, Little Grass Shack continues to share the soul of Hawaii — past, present, and future.

Mahalo for listening. Keep aloha in your heart.

This episode weaves together an extended narrative journey through the history of King’s Hawaiian Bakery, tracing its roots from a humble family bakery in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, to its expansion across Oʻahu, the U.S. mainland, and eventually into a globally recognized brand. Island Emory shares personal memories, cultural context, and food traditions tied to King’s Hawaiian — from sweet bread at family gatherings to beach-day sandwiches and guava chiffon cake runs that became rituals of island life.

Musically, the program delivers a rich blend of island reggae, Hawaiian contemporary, roots, and soulful classics, creating a laid-back yet emotionally resonant soundtrack that mirrors the themes of family, perseverance, and community. Throughout the broadcast, Island Emory reinforces the show’s core philosophy: aloha is more than a word — it is a way of living, sharing, and remembering where you come from.

Interspersed between music sets, the storytelling segments highlight how food, music, and memory travel together, allowing island culture to remain present even far from home. The episode ultimately frames King’s Hawaiian not just as a business success, but as a symbol of ohana, tradition, and cultural continuity — values echoed in every song played on The Little Grass Shack.

Airing Sunday afternoons, The Little Grass Shack continues to serve as a welcoming home for listeners seeking connection, comfort, and authentic island vibes. Whether tuning in for the music, the stories, or the shared sense of belonging, this episode delivers a reminder that aloha lives wherever it is carried.

The episode traces the story from Captain George Vancouver’s gift of cattle to King Kamehameha I, the kapu placed on the animals to allow them to multiply, and the challenges that followed as herds grew out of control on Hawaiʻi Island. Listeners learn how Mexican vaqueros were brought in to teach ranching skills, introducing saddles, roping techniques, and traditions that Hawaiians adapted into their own unique cowboy culture. From this exchange emerged the paniolo, a distinctly Hawaiian expression of ranch life that blended horsemanship with aloha, music, language, and tradition.

The episode also explores the rise of legendary ranches like Parker Ranch in Waimea, the cultural significance of paniolo clothing, music, and mele, and how ranching influenced Hawaiian food traditions—from beef and dairy to dishes still enjoyed today. Throughout the broadcast, Island Emery weaves historical insight with island music, cultural facts, and reflective moments that highlight Hawaiʻi’s spirit of adaptability and resilience.

More than a history lesson, this episode of Little Grass Shack is a meditation on how outside influences can be transformed without erasing cultural roots—showing how Hawaiians made the cowboy lifestyle their own while preserving identity, values, and aloha. It’s a rich, immersive journey through music, memory, and the living history of the islands.

Through thoughtful storytelling and a stress-free island soundscape, the episode traces the Ironman’s beginnings in 1978, its evolution into a global endurance event, and the role of the Big Island community in supporting athletes from around the world. Each stage of the race — the ocean swim in Kailua Bay, the punishing bike ride across lava fields, and the marathon under the Hawaiian sun — is framed as both a physical and spiritual challenge.

Blending island music, reflection, and cultural perspective, Little Grass Shack reminds listeners that endurance is about more than competition — it’s about connection, community, and carrying the spirit of aloha into everyday life.

Originally aired on 91.5 KUNV Jazz & More, this episode highlights Hawaiʻi’s deep cultural roots while offering listeners a calm, meaningful escape to the islands. 

Throughout the episode, Island Emery highlights pivotal moments such as the rise of sugar plantations, the arrival of immigrant communities, the birth of plantation-era foods like the plate lunch and manapua, and the lasting legacy of multicultural unity. Interwoven with classic and contemporary island music, reggae, and Hawaiian soul, the show celebrates resilience, aloha, and the power of shared traditions.

The Little Grass Shack continues to serve as a musical and historical sanctuary—where the mana of the islands lives on through sound, memory, and connection.

Blending Hawaiian history, island perspectives, and a curated soundtrack of classic and contemporary island music, this episode explores:

🌴 Highlights From This Episode

• The first documented foreign landing in Waimea, Kaua‘i, where Cook’s crew exchanged metal for food, sparking early cross-cultural contact.
• The introduction of iron to Hawai‘i, and how nails and tools quickly transformed fishing, farming, and building practices.
• The food exchanges between Hawaiians and Cook’s men—taro, fish, pork, coconuts, hardtack, and salted meat—that laid the groundwork for the fusion of food cultures still seen today.
• Captain Cook’s dramatic return to Kealakekua Bay, his deification during the Makahiki season, and the escalating tensions that led to his death.
• Historical spotlights on Waimea and Kealakekua as modern destinations rich with cultural significance, memory, and reverence.
• “WTF – What The Fact?” segments, exploring surprising truths about early contact, iron, trade, and cultural transformation.
• “What’s the Grinds?” food history, diving into how early exchanges shaped the flavors of Hawai‘i.
• “Destination on the Dial”, highlighting the real places tied to Cook’s arrival and legacy.
• Positive Note of the Day, reminding listeners how the spirit of aloha can guide modern interactions and cultural understanding.

🎶 Music & Aloha Through Every Segment

Between history spotlights and cultural storytelling, this episode features a rich playlist of island classics, reggae, contemporary Hawaiian hits, and the warm vocal sound that defines The Little Grass Shack. Each track carries you deeper into the story, blending melody with meaning.

🌺 Why This Episode Matters

The arrival of Cook marks a turning point in Hawaiian history—one filled with curiosity, cultural exchange, conflict, and profound transformation. Island Emery brings this chapter to life with respect, context, and aloha, helping listeners understand not only what happened, but why it matters today.

If you cherish Hawaiian heritage, island music, culture, history, or storytelling, this episode offers a deeply immersive ride across time, place, and connection.

🏝️ Stay Connected

Discover more island stories, music, and mana at IslandEmory.com and keep the aloha flowing every Sunday on 91.5 Jazz & More.

Throughout the episode, Island Emery shares memories, history, and stories from Brother Walter’s early days performing in Waikiki, to his rise as a beloved singer, guitarist, and storyteller whose performances blended mele, island reggae, Hawaiian classics, and contemporary island favorites. Listeners are reminded of signature songs like “Sweet Lady of Waihole,” “Island Afternoon,” and “Keep Hawaiian Lands in Hawaiian Hands,” all of which helped cement his legacy as a keeper of culture.

Alongside the spotlight tribute, this episode features a full playlist of island hits, island reggae, contemporary Hawaiian music, and heartfelt jams that embody the warmth and authenticity of the Ninth Island community. Emery also shares “WTF – What The Fact,” offering insight into Brother Walter’s influence as a mentor, role model, and voice of Hawaiian pride.

Whether you’re Hawaiian at heart, a longtime fan of Brother Walter, or discovering his legacy for the first time, this episode celebrates the values of ʻohana, aloha, storytelling, and cultural pride that he championed throughout his life.

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Keywords (SEO):
Hawaiian music, Brother Walter I Palani, Little Grass Shack, Island Emery, KUNV, Ninth Island radio, Hawaiian culture, aloha spirit, island reggae, Hawaiian legends, Waikiki entertainers, Hawaiian storytelling, island music podcast, Las Vegas Hawaiian community, cultural spotlight, Hawaiian mele, island classics, contemporary Hawaiian music, keep Hawaiian lands in Hawaiian hands

The episode features:

• 🌺 Traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music
• 🌴 Stories of island life, ʻohana, and culture
• 🎶 Reflections on growing up in Hawaiʻi and reconnecting with home
• 🤙 Listener shout-outs, community notes, and real-time reactions
• 🌧️ Weather, vibes, and updates from across the islands
• 🎵 Island favorites, reggae, Jawaiian, slack-key stylings, and more
• ❤️ Conversations about gratitude, family, and keeping the aloha spirit alive — no matter where you live

From heartfelt memories to laugh-out-loud moments, this episode captures the magic of Hawaiʻi through music and talk-story. Whether you’re a local, a former kamaʻāina living on the mainland, or simply someone who loves Polynesian culture, this episode keeps you connected to the sounds and soul of the Pacific.

Each segment flows with the warmth of island hospitality, inviting listeners from Las Vegas to the Ninth Island and beyond to “live aloha and aloha will live with you.”

From the heiau of Puʻukoholā, where King Kamehameha the Great sought Kū’s blessing for unifying the islands, to tales of Kū transforming into a breadfruit tree to feed his family, this episode explores how strength, sacrifice, and balance define the Hawaiian spirit.

Alongside classic and contemporary island music, Island Emory celebrates the mana — the living energy — of a god whose presence still inspires warriors, artists, and cultural leaders today.

✨ A weekly escape to aloha, culture, and storytelling — only on 91.5 KUNV Jazz & More, The Little Grass Shack

Emory reflects on Toyota’s deep roots in the islands—from its 1960s arrival to its community sponsorships and family traditions—and explores why Hawaiians trust Toyota for every adventure, from beach days to mountain roads. Between segments, enjoy a hand-picked mix of island favorites celebrating aloha, resilience, and that unmistakable island groove.

Whether you’re cruising the H-1 or daydreaming from the mainland, this episode reminds us that in Hawaii, it’s not just the destination—it’s the ride.

Jeff shares stories of his 11 years in Japan, how he helped grow the festival from a small local gathering into an event drawing over 15,000 attendees, and the importance of cross-cultural exchange between Las Vegas and Japan. Listeners will also hear about festival highlights — from taiko drumming, authentic food booths, and sake tastings, to a special roundtrip Japan Airlines raffle giveaway.

Whether you’re an anime fan, a foodie, or simply seeking community and connection, this episode invites you to embrace aloha, celebrate cultural unity, and say “Ganbatte kudasai” — keep going, don’t give up.

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Whether you’re fresh off the mainland or kanikapila in the desert, this is your island-style soundtrack for Sunday mornings.

📻 Episode Description:

This week on The Little Grass Shack, Island Emory takes us on a soulful journey through Oʻahu—the Gathering Place. From the sacred cliffs of Puʻu Mahuka Heiau to the historic halls of ʻIolani Palace, we explore the island’s deep cultural roots, spiritual energy, and enduring aloha spirit. Alongside these stories, enjoy a rich blend of island music, global rhythms, and heartfelt ballads about love, longing, and island life.

Featured topics include the mystical mist of Mānoa Valley, the culinary legacy of Helena’s Hawaiian Food, and a moving reminder to stand up for Hawaiʻi’s land, people, and future. It’s a musical and cultural experience where every song is a story and every story is steeped in aloha.

Stay rooted. Stay grateful. Stay with The Little Grass Shack.

Episode Description:
On this week’s Little Grass Shack, Island Emory takes us deep into the heart of Moloka‘i—Hawai‘i’s most authentic and untouched island. Known as the “Friendly Isle,” Moloka‘i offers a glimpse into a slower, more spiritual way of life, rich with native Hawaiian traditions, breathtaking natural beauty, and deep-rooted community values.

Set against a vibrant mix of island music—featuring sailing dreams, sunshine girls, soulful tributes, and hula girl serenades—this episode brings together powerful storytelling and the rhythm of aloha. You’ll hear personal reflections, musical memories, and a touching tribute to ohana and ancestry.

Whether you’re dancing in the sunset or dreaming of the sea, this episode reminds us that paradise isn’t a place—it’s a feeling.

🎧 Listen Sundays at Noon on 91.5 KUNV Jazz & More or stream anytime at https://littlegrassshack.transistor.fm/
🌺 #LittleGrassShack #Molokai #IslandMusic #AlohaSpirit #HawaiiRadio

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In this episode of The Little Grass Shack, Island Emory brings the warmth of the islands and the spirit of sustainability straight to your speakers. During his “Topics from the Tropics” segment, Emory spotlights a groundbreaking eco-tour experience on the island of Kauai—a 100% solar-powered catamaran offering reef-friendly, culturally immersive tours. Guided by Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners, these voyages blend storytelling, traditional navigation, and marine conservation into an unforgettable journey across the Napali Coast.

With firsthand experience aboard the vessel, Emory shares powerful tales of gods, kings, and the mana that flows through the sea and the people. It’s kuleana in motion—responsibility, innovation, and aloha sailing together under the Hawaiian sun.

Catch more of the island vibe, Hawaiian classics, and island reggae only on The Little Grass Shack, every Sunday on 91.5 KUNV.

🌺 Learn more at IslandEmory.com or follow the show at facebook.com/LGSVegas