Portland Design Works and tattoo artist Jake Tong recently collaborated to launch a line of accessories that accurately grabs the positive, go-with-the-flow vibe of the riders in Portland who bike year-round… even if it’s raining eight months out of the year! Read about the collab in my latest article for BRAIN!

For Grammy award winner, singer, songwriter, and drum master Chris Berry, the most important lesson in school wasn’t even part of the curriculum—improvisation. While living in Zimbabwe, Chris Berry began to create the issue-driven music that he is known for. Today, he helps Hawai‘i Island’s youth develop a passion for music.

Surf artist Eduardo Bolioli's work often reflects lessons he's learned from time in the ocean ... and earlier this year, I had the honor of talking story with him about what those lessons were and in the process, discovered a world of vibrant surfboards, fins, and other works of art hand-painted by Eduardo.  “As an artist, I want to raise a smile when people look at my work.”

Headed from Hawai’i Island to Maui for a conference, Ronnie Velveta and his guitar were waiting to board the plane when a man that Ronnie describes as having “more Aloha Spirit than most” approached him. “He came up to me while waiting to board, his ‘ukulele in hand,” Ronnie recalls. “No suitcase. No case. He was just a guy with a ‘ukulele.” He was Willie K., and Ronnie was about to have the best flight ever!

Musician Pana Jones was born and raised on Hawai‘i Island, where he could catch a glimpse of snow-draped Mauna Kea from a sun-drenched spot of Kīholo Bay. And his music tells a timeless story, echoing a hope that is more precious now than ever: That there exist corners of the world where we can find safety, love, acceptance, and peace.

From her hibiscus-fringed studio in the heart of Waimea, Hawai’i, Mary creates watercolors, oils on canvas, mosaics, and murals that reflect her joyful nature. Her artistic journey, however, began with a sudden and debilitating accident that served as the catalyst for her creativity.

Hailing from Maui, Stan made his debut singing leo ki‘eki‘e on stage when he was 12 years old. Although it was his beautiful falsetto style that garnered him fame, it was his ability to connect that endeared “Uncle Stan” to Hawai‘i residents and visitors alike. The message of his songs lives on in the hearts of the many he touched through his music: share your gift with the world and use it to connect with others.

Fragile glass has cracked, creating an unexpected and intriguing ripple in a sculpture of the sun setting into the Pacific. Some artists would label their work a failure after examining the broken piece. Most people would also consider their day a bad one after being stung by a jellyfish. Gary Ackerman is not most people.

With a voice that sounds like Hawaiian sunlight dancing on the waves, songwriter Kailee Spark challenges listeners to embrace their inner free spirit. Woven into Kailee’s songs are themes of embracing nature outwardly, and cultivating peace within.

Daredevil. Lava chaser. Photographer. Host of television series Everything Hawaii. While all are accurate descriptions of Kawika Singson, the moniker he prefers is “creative adventurer” and you can read about some of his biggest adventures here!

From black waters to holes in clouds, Joshua Lambus’s epic experiences serve as proof that anything is possible if you commit. Read about his mission to learn as much as possible “about life, myself, the ocean, the land, the people and culture of this island, and the ways I can serve my community.”