Good Vibes Only

The energy was unmistakable as students, faculty, and staff gathered to kick off the fall semester and celebrate what makes this campus a true ʻohana.

“Yesssss! I love the vibe. My voice is almost gone!” exclaimed Kylie “Lālea” Chu, a freshman.

Kylie “Lālea” Chu dancing to Kanaka Fiyah at Welina Bash: Grindz & Vibes

The good vibes were infectious, and it was no accident. These bands not only have a huge fan base, but they also reflect key values of UH Hilo.

“Kanaka Fiyah, they’re a local band from Hilo. The Vitals, they bring this indigenous attitude, this indigenous belief and strength,” described Vice Chancellor of Administrative Affairs Kalei Rapoza. “So it’s just really good to have those 2 bands here on this campus because those are things our campus identifies with, strongly with place and strongly with culture."

Vice Chancellor Kalei Rapoza welcomes the crowd at Welina Bash

When Hilo's own Kanaka Fyah took the stage — for the breakout band, it was more than entertainment, it was a homecoming.

“It’s an honor to be here and to perform for the students, and especially for a place where we grew up in Big Island,” said Randin Napeahi, expressing his gratitude to UH Hilo for being invited.

Randin Napeahi performs on stage with Kanaka Fyah

COBE graduate Joseph O’Connell brought his Duck Fat food truck to support the campus where it all started — a journey that began right here nearly a decade ago.

“I first started attending UH Hilo in 2015 pursuing a degree in business. I enjoyed it so much. I ended up getting a bachelor's in business and a double major with a bachelor's in economics,” O’Connell said with a grin. “UH Hilo is a great university. It definitely gave me the foundation I needed to be successful in my business venture.”

“It’s super exciting to have alumni back on this campus giving back. You know this Hilo community is very tight knit. That’s how we survive as a small community. So we always hear from community members about, how can we give back and help you with UH Hilo? This is a good example,” explained Vice Chancellor Rapoza.

For many students, this sense of community runs even deeper, particularly for those who have found their way back home — drawn by a calling to serve the place that shaped them.

UH Hilo freshman, Kylie “Lālea” Chu, wants to work as a kumu ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi after graduation

“After the Lahaina fires, we moved to Utah unfortunately. And so I graduated my Senior year in Utah. It was definitely hard being away from Hawaiʻi, but I knew that my calling was to come back here to help contribute to our community,” described Lālea, who plans to become a kumu ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi after graduating.

For Vice Chancellor Rapoza, events like Welina Bash represent something he’s long envisioned: intentional spaces where campus culture can take root and flourish.

“This was a bit of a dream of mine. I’ve been wanting to do this on this campus for years. Couldn’t have done it without the people in my division,” said Rapoza. “You can’t cultivate things without giving it a chance to grow and nourish. So by having these types of events, we’re nourishing and helping grow culture on this campus.”

With The Vitals 808 ramping up the crowd, the evening’s success was evident in glowing reviews from students like Lālea.

“Yes, yes, we need more! I think we should do High Watah, Maoli, The Green, Iration, Rebelution… I could go on!”

Lālea may get her wish as Welina Bash is planned as an annual event, making this the start of a new UH Hilo tradition.

Event organizers plan to make Welina Bash an annual event