About Us

Michaela Wong, General Manager

I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area in California, and I am a Marine Science major. I first started at URH Fall 2021 as a DJ with my co-host, Josh. I love to listen to all types of music, but my main go-tos are country, 50s-70s rock, Motown, and R&B. On QueerTalk, I really try to create a safe space for everyone, especially the LGBTQ+ community, by discussing all things LGBTQ – some days we keep it light and just talk about LGBTQ culture and community, and other days we’ll discuss some of the more serious issues at hand. At URH, my goal is to create a fun and inclusive space where people can take time to sit, listen, and relax!

@queer_talk.urh

Hi, my name is Caroline and I was born and raised in Chevy Chase, Maryland. I moved with my family to Kona after high school and am studying to get my Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Management. Some of my favorite things to do include being in or on the water including surfing, swimming, paddling canoe, and diving. I am so excited to be URH’s event & promotions coordinator because I like brainstorming and planning social events as well as bringing together groups of people. I like to spread positivity and good vibes which is the overall theme of my show, "Hale Hope”. During my show, you’ll hear live sessions of me mixing a variety of house, reggae, and dance music. While I have many goals for URH, my primary goal is to update the ‘feel’ of the station – I intend to update outdated radio sweepers, create more awareness of the radio on campus, and host events to bring the campus community together. Good vibes coming your way from DJ Hope on University Radio Hilo.

Makanoe Hufana, Music & Program Coordinator

I'm from Honolulu, Oʻahu and Haiku, Maui. I am studying to become a teacher in Hawaiian Studies or Hawaiian History. My love for music and art is the reason I signed up to be a DJ. I make art about the songs of Hawaiʻi as well as art about historical events that have happened. I also became a DJ because I want UH Hilo students to have a safe space to talk about the current events such as Red Hill or Maunakea and their manaʻo or thoughts on it. My show will focus on current events in Hawaiʻi and create a platform for the students of UH Hilo to have a voice in what happens to the aina here as well as the other moku/islands. I will be teaching Hawaiian and giving ʻolelo noʻeau or Hawaiian proverbs for people to think about through the week and weekend.

Kukui Akana

I am from the ahupuaʻa of Waimānalo, East side of Oʻahu, also lovingly known as "God'z Country". I am a double major in Hawaiian Studies and Communications, and I am minoring in History and a certificate in Pacific Islands studies. I enjoy spending time with family and my dogs, playing sports, going to the ocean for cleansing, making art, and cooking new and interesting foods! I am interested in social work as a future career and hope to continue on to law school to study family law and another law (that I'm still determining) after receiving my bachelor's degree.

The goal of my show is just to share. I want to share the aloha and appreciation of music with both my playlists and hoʻokani pila ʻana. I wanted to become a DJ to gain more opportunities and experience with performing live music, use the studio equipment for recording and mixing, and align with the goals I have as a musician. I hope in the near future to record and continue sharing the love I have for music.

Fun facts about me: I graduated with an associate degree with an emphasis in music in 2019 from Highline College, Seattle WA I come from a musical background on both sides of my parents (including the Kalapana ʻOhana on my father's side). My first words were singing a song back to my mom because she used to always sing to me every day.

@tutui_nuts

Joshua Baldonado

My name is Joshua Baldonado. I am from Waipahu on the island of O'ahu. I am a junior majoring in Mathematics. I like to chill and play video games. I co-host QueerTalk with Michaela. It was a show we created our freshman year to talk about the queer community and spread awareness about current issues, explain frequently asked questions, and talk about our own experiences.

@j.dylin, @queer_talk.urh

Sofia Bews

Hi everyone! My name is Sofia Bews aka DJ Limedoritos, I am from Kihei, Maui and I am studying Communications with a minor in Business. I love making art, surfing, and going to the gym. I am really excited to be a part of UH Hilo's radio! On my show "Limedoritos Radio Hour" I will be playing a variety of music which include dub, house, reggae, 80's-2000's, afro pop, and more. There is so much amazing music from all around the world that I want to bring to your ears, I hope to show you something you fall in love with <3

Jacqueline Demers

I am from Frankfort Kentucky, and I'm in my junior year majoring in marine science with a environmental studies certificate. I like to spend time outdoors, giving back to the community, playing games with friends, and practicing martial arts. Hoping to share my appreciation to 90's rap, boy bands and girl groups the show is a throwback to the 90's and early 2000's to let people relax to classics we grew up with or maybe have forgotten.

Kelsey Fernald

Aloha! I’m from California, and I am an education major, heading towards a career in teaching. I also have a passion for music, and I am seeking ways to integrate music with education so I can make the learning process more enjoyable for me and my students. Some of my main hobbies include singing, songwriting, dancing, surfing, yoga, meditation, and exploring (land, rivers, and sea). My music is mostly soulful, chill, spiritual, R&B, and hip hop. My intention for each of my radio shows is to cater all of the music in each session to a common theme, or vibe, that sends a message. I hope you enjoy!

Lichen Forster

I was raised across Hawaiʻi; particularly Mānoa, Kula, and Mt. View, where I live now. I'm passionate about giving back to my community and the ʻāina. Eventually, I'd like to be a science journalist; I'm currently pursuing a B.S. in geology while working on the student-run newspaper, Ke Kalahea. "Switch It Up" was born because I have a habit of listening to the same music over and over again, even though I know that branching out has always helped me find new favorites. I just get too comfy in the comfort zone!

@lichen.a

Alaska Llewellyn

Hi everyone! My name is Alaska and I recently moved to Hilo from Fullerton, California. I have an AA in psychology and interdisciplinary social science, and I am continuing my studies of psychology at UH Hilo. I am very excited to be a part of URH and connect with you guys through my show. I love many genres, especially EDM, indie pop, alternative, classic rock and hip hop. My goal is to play music that appeals to all kinds of people and expose you to music you haven’t heard. When I was younger I played percussion instruments and some guitar, and I have many musicians in my family that have influenced my love for music. I also enjoy anything outdoors, trying new food, working out, and cats! Hope you enjoy my show.

Hinano Lovell

Aloha e kāua! My name is Brock "Hinano" Lovell, and I hail from Wailuku on the island of Maui. I love all things music! Gratefully, I was raised majority in Hawaiian Immersion Education from Punana Leo O Maui and Kula Kaiapuni O Maui and therefore am fluent in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi. Currently, I am working towards my Bachelor's in Business Administration with a minor in Hawaiian Studies and plan to study abroad in Aotearoa for a graduate degree in music. I play various musical instruments, such as piano, 'ukulele, Tahitian 'ukulele, acoustic guitar, electric bass, and the cajón, with the piano being my first instrument since the age of 4.

Raised in an 'ohana of music lovers, entertainers, the cultural upbringing via Hawaiian Immersion, a singer and musician of the KSM Hawaiian Ensemble my last 3 years in high school and being a multi-instrumentalist, has influenced my passion for music and aspirations to be a music producer. Other than music, my hobbies include paddling canoe, bodyboarding, weightlifting, cliff jumping, skiing, dirt bike riding and hanging out with 'ohana and friends.

My music appetite is multi-genre - mixing between old school and new school, whether Hawaiian, reggae, soul, hip hop, RnB, mid-century jazz to space age, blues, big band, pop or country. Allowing my listeners, a multi-faceted place of music! My goal for my show is to provide your Dose of news, music, music trends (New/Old, Mainstream/Underground etc.), artist news, and overall good vibes! So stop by and get your Dose of all things music!!!

Trevor Nishida

Hi everyone! My name is Trevor I was born and raised on the island of Oʻahu and moved to Hilo for college. I am in my fourth year of study majoring in marine science. I love any type of music and mainly listen to whatever my friends seem to be into at the moment. I joined URH because growing up I was always intrigued by radio DJ shows and URH gave me the opportunity to explore that interest. My show will consist of the music I am currently into, while also trying to get people to explore all types of genres instead of sticking to what they’re comfortable with.

Reijalyn Paul

I am from the tiny Islands of the FSM; specifically Chuuk State. I was born in Oahu but was raised in Chuuk. I am a senior currently studying Psychology and Administration of Justice. I enjoy listening to music, reading and singing.

My newly created music podcast is called "Vibe with Reij" where different types of music will be playing. The purpose of my music podcast is just vibe with the music playing, whether it's in a different language or a completely foreign. It shows that music can bring everyone together, even if we don't understand the language. Of course, the majority of the music playing will be english, but there will be other bangers that are not in english (which is definitely okay!) If you guys have any song suggestions (appropriate for broadcast), message me on my IG, and we'll see what we can do!

@reij_alyn

Dorian Salvea

I am from the village of Leone on the small island of American Samoa. I am studying accounting and plan on sitting for the CPA exam. My hobbies include watching football, especially the number one team in the NFL the Las Vegas Raiders, swimming and looking at the sky. For my show, I plan on having Pacific Islander students have a way to come and voice their opinions and to just talk story about their college journey and experience. One of the goals for my show is to just get everybodyʻs story out there. This is why I decided start my show.