For our special Chinese New Year Episode -- lucky No. 8 -- Michiko Singh takes us down to Chinatown's rRed Elephant Cafe, one of our favorite places in a neighborhood full of cool joints. Plus, Malia reminisces on a favorite Chinatown activity from her Disneyesque childhood.

If you have questions or comments, please post to the site here or write us at volcanoradio@gmail.com.

All music written, performed and recorded by Michiko Singh. Chinese lion dance photo by Leslie Wrona.

Hosted by Stewart Yerton and Malia Boyd.

When we heard about a new t-shirt shop at the new Waikiki Beach Walk, our knee-jerk thought was, "Just what Waikiki needs, more drek."

But Malibu Shirts has brought something truly different: a combination t-shirt shop and surfing museum. The company has licensing deals with storied Hawaiian  institutions, such as the Primo Beer and the Waikiki Beach Boys Canoe Club, which means visitors can take home replicas of the historic museum pieces on display.

Podcast theme music composed and performed by Michiko Singh. Podcast art by Dietrich Varez: Click Hawaiian�®Art, �© 1996-2001 Varez/Coconut Info. www.coconutinfo.com.

If you have questions or comments, you can post on the website, www.volcanoradio.com, or write us at volcanoradio@gmail.com.

Hosted by Stewart Yerton and Malia Boyd.

Tourism maven Sheila Donnelly takes us around Oahu for the weekend, in our first -- and possibly last --  New New Journalism episode.

Here are links to several places Sheila mentions on the show: Punahou Carnival , The Kahala Hotel & Resort , Koolina Resort, Twilight at Kalahuipuaa concert.

Theme music composed and performed by Michiko Singh. Podcast art by Dietrich Varez: Click Hawaiian®Art, © 1996-2001 Varez/Coconut Info. www.coconutinfo.com.

   Aloha and thanks for listening. If you have questions or comments, please write us at volcanoradio@gmail.com.

Episode 5 -- Romancing Oahu, Pt. 2

Matt Catingub talks to Michiko Singh about his album Return to Romance in part two of our two-part RTR Valentines Week Special.  We have music from the album. And we pose the question: Who is cooler, George Clooney or Fred Friendly?

Anyone unconvinced of Matt Catingub's talents should view his website, where you can see pictures of the maestro with the  diverse range of musicians he has collaborated with. The list includes Elvis Costello, Glen Campbell, Louie Bellson and Lou Rawls.

The following is a list of the songs and artists apppearing in the episode, starting with the introduction music.  We have provided links to individual artist websites; just click on their names.

A Peaceful Night in Hawaii featuring Raiatea Helm, What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life featuring Amy Hanaialii Gilliom, The Very Thought of You featuring Amy Hanaialii Gilliom and Matt Catingub, My Romance featuring Raiatea Helm,  How Deep Is the Ocean featuring Kealii Reichel, The Way I Want to Touch You featuring Toni Tennille, I Can't Help Falling In Love featuring Na Leo and Matt Catingub, Honolulu (I Fell In Love With) featuring Matt Catingub and Na Leo.

Maestro Matt Catingub and music producer Allen Sviridoff are teaming on an enormously ambitious project: a multi-day jazz festival on Oahu on the scale of the Newport Jazz Festival. Their first 11-day Return to Romance festival begins next month with a roster of artists from Hawaii and the Mainland, backed by the 40-piece Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawaii. Sviridoff, the Grammy-winning producer of the soundtrack to the film Good Night, and Good Luck, talks about what’s coming.

You can find more informtion about the festival by visiting the Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawaii’s website. 

If you have questions or comments, please write us at volcanoradio@gmail.com, or post them on our website, www.volcanoradio.com.

Aloha and thanks for listening.

Podcast art used courtesy of Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawaii.

The Pineapple�s Legacy
  In the early part of the century, Sam Kamaka Sr. built a round-bodied ukulele, and a neighbor painted a pineapple on the soundboard. The pineapple ukulele went on to have a profound influence on the instrument.  Third-generation ukulele maker Fred Kamaka Jr. tells the story.

Kaneohe�s Joyful Sound
  In 1994, Honolulu firefighter Joseph Souza started crafting ukuleles in his home and selling them to his friends. Now Souza and his wife, Kristen, have a full-fledged factory tucked against the flanks of the Koolau Mountains.  Joe demonstrates the innovative ukes he is creating at Kanilea Ukulele.

  For more information, visit  www.kamakahawaii.com and www.kanileaukulele.com.

  Theme music composed and performed by Michiko Singh. Podcast art by Dietrich Varez: Click HawaiianÃ�®Art, Ã�© 1996-2001 Varez/Coconut Info. www.coconutinfo.com.

   Aloha and thanks for listening. If you have questions or comments, please write us at volcanoradio@gmail.com.