Hawaii Slam
Encyclopedia
Hawai'i Slam is a certified poetry slam that was founded on April 3, 2003 by performance poet Kealoha
. Hawai'i Slam is responsible for the First Thursdays Poetry Slam at Fresh Cafe, which is the largest registered/certified slam poetry venue in the world (with 600+ in attendance). Hawai`i Slam has official 501(c)(3) non-profit status through Poetry Slam Incorporated.
First Thursdays occurs on every first Thursday of the month (8:30pm at Fresh Cafe) and features Hawaii's best performance poets, live musicians, live painters, and touring poets. The best spoken word poets from First Thursdays qualify for the Hawai'i Slam Team, which is determined once a year in April. This team competes in festivals on the mainland (including the National Poetry Slam) and also does numerous shows and school visits (assemblies, workshops, etc.) throughout the state of Hawai'i. In the 6 years that the Hawai'i Slam Team has represented Hawai'i at the National Poetry Slam, they have made it to the group piece finals once and the semi-finals four times (placing 5th out of 68 teams in 2009).
In 2006, Hawai'i Slam and First Thursdays won the Best Open Mic Award in the Best of Honolulu Magazine
.
Past features have included touring poets (Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Beau Sia
, Buddy Wakefield
, Sekou tha Misfit, Oveous Maximus, Andrea Gibson, Anis Mojgani
, Mighty Mike McGee
, Robbie Q. Telfer
, Tshaka Campbell, Michelle "Mush" Lee, Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo, Danny Sherrard
, Angelo Moore from Fishbone
), musical groups (Quadraphonix, Henry Kapono, Makana
, John Cruz, Full Blown Soul, Sewa Fare, Jennifer Johns, the Genie, Jake Shimabukuro
, Tempo Valley, Scott Huckabay), theatre productions (Chase, Jaguar Priests, Hip-hopalypse), the Waikiki B-boys, Capoeira
Senzala, the Tales From the Arabian Nights troupe, Shakti Dance Movement (bellydancing troupe), and fashion shows by Urban Nomad and Priya.
Past DJs have included Zita (Sisters in Sound), Kavet the Catalyst (Lightsleepers), Skid (Hawaii ITF Champion), Taharba/Sovern-T (Treehaus), Frank(E) from the Beathackers Kollectiv, Primmitiv (RGU), Chia (SIS), Oliver Twist, Celine (RGU), Toki (SIS), A2Z (Microscopic Syllables), Rebelgirl (RGU), Chris Sabien, Marloca (SIS), Monkey, Mega Supras, DJ Mr. Nick, and Risup (Direct Descendants).
Past visual artistry has included live painting by Aaron Martin, Solomon Enos, Kimi Werner, Adriano Ferraz, Elisha Kemp, Matt DeMartino, Erin McCullough, the Storekeeper, Dhyana Zagri, Stanstill, Wes Ka`uhane, Pancho Abalos, Carol Tagawa, and Nabahe. There have also been interactive murals by Progress Hawaii and visual projections by SYTE Entertainment, Elea Dumas, and Solomon Enos. Hawai`i Slam's First Thursdays has even had massage therapists, chefs (Ono Pono got its start there), and psychic readers sharing their art forms in the lounges.
In 2004, Hawaii Slam finals were held at Studio1, hosted by Hawaiian Ryan, with featured guest Angelo Moore (from Fishbone). Finalists for the first Hawaii Slam finals included Adele, Josh Echemendia, Lumenz, TravisT, Melvin Borja, Serious Wit, Selah Geissler, JME, Rebelgirl, Intrepid, and Kealoha. The 2004 Hawaii Slam team was Selah Geissler, Kealoha, Melvin Borja, and TravisT. They competed at the National Poetry Slam in St. Louis, MO in August, 2004.
In 2005, Hawaii Slam finals were held at the Hawaiian Hut, hosted by See, with featured guest poets from Youth Speaks Hawai`i and the Mega Supras. The finalists included Hawaiian Ryan, Omega6, TravisT, Melvin Borja, Intrepid, Brenda Kwon, Selah Geissler, Serious Wit, Kealoha, Cawa Tran, Jaz Davis, and Josh Echemendia. The 2005 Hawaii Slam team was Selah Geissler, Kealoha, Melvin Borja, and TravisT. They competed at the National Poetry Slam in Albuquerque, NM in August, 2005.
In 2006, Hawaii Slam finals were held at the Hawaiian Hut, hosted by Intrepid, with featured guest Sekou tha Misfit. The finalists included See, Melvin Borja, Josh Echemendia, Hina Puamohala Kneubuhl, Kealoha, Paula Fuga, Jess Kroll, TravisT, Malena Brooks, and Jay Kaneaiakala. The 2006 Hawaii Slam team was Melvin Borja, TravisT, Kealoha, and See. They competed at the National Poetry Slam in Austin, TX in August, 2006.
In 2007, Hawaii Slam finals were held at the Hawaiian Hut, hosted by See and Intrepid, with featured guest Big Poppa E. The finalists included Pam, Aaron, Dazsmar, TravisT, Lyz Soto, Jahsun, Stri, Skye White, Kealoha, Dar'ron, Pat Masumoto, and Melvin Borja. The 2007 Hawaii Slam team was Lyz Soto, Kealoha, Dar'ron and Stri. They competed at the National Poetry Slam in Austin, TX in August, 2007.
The 2008, Hawaii Slam finals were held at the Hawaiian Hut, hosted by See, with featured guest Sekou tha Misfit. The finalists included Sela, Kealoha, Lyz Soto, Tui "Tui-Z" Scanlan, TravisT, Jay Kaneaiakala, Intrepid, Alex Armstrong, Dar'ron, Stri, Liam Skilling, & Vince Murai. The 2008 Hawaii Slam team was Kealoha, Dar'ron, Tui-Z, and TravisT. They competed at the National Poetry Slam in Madison, WI in August, 2008.
In 2009, Hawaii Slam finals were held at Pipeline Cafe, hosted by See, with featured guest Anis Mojgani. The finalists were William Giles, Danny Sherrard, Kealoha, Lyz Soto, Bridget Gray, Jason B, TravisT, Free Write, Dar'ron, Rob Words, Tui-Z, and Dakini Star. The 2009 Hawaii Slam team was Kealoha, Dar'ron, Tui-Z, and Danny Sherrard. They competed at the National Poetry Slam in West Palm Beach, FL in August, 2009.
In 2010, Hawaii Slam finals were held at Fresh Cafe, hosted by Intrepid with featured guest "Mighty" Mike McGee. The finalists were Harrison Ines, Jocelyn Ng, Sterling Higa, Ittai Wong, Kealoha, Dr. D, Bridget Gray, Tui-Z, Forgotten Artform, Son da One, Jonra, and Jess Kroll. The 2010 Hawaii Slam team was Sterling Higa, Jocelyn Ng, Tui-Z, Jess Kroll, and Forgotten Artform. They competed at the National Poetry Slam in St. Paul, MN in August, 2010.
Kealoha
Kealoha is the stage name of slam poet Steven Kealohapau`ole Hong Ming Wong, founder of HawaiiSlam, First Thursdays, and Youth Speaks Hawai`i. He has been described as Hawai`i's "slam poet laureate," and was honored as a "National Slam Legend" at the 2010 National Poetry Slam. He is of...
. Hawai'i Slam is responsible for the First Thursdays Poetry Slam at Fresh Cafe, which is the largest registered/certified slam poetry venue in the world (with 600+ in attendance). Hawai`i Slam has official 501(c)(3) non-profit status through Poetry Slam Incorporated.
First Thursdays occurs on every first Thursday of the month (8:30pm at Fresh Cafe) and features Hawaii's best performance poets, live musicians, live painters, and touring poets. The best spoken word poets from First Thursdays qualify for the Hawai'i Slam Team, which is determined once a year in April. This team competes in festivals on the mainland (including the National Poetry Slam) and also does numerous shows and school visits (assemblies, workshops, etc.) throughout the state of Hawai'i. In the 6 years that the Hawai'i Slam Team has represented Hawai'i at the National Poetry Slam, they have made it to the group piece finals once and the semi-finals four times (placing 5th out of 68 teams in 2009).
In 2006, Hawai'i Slam and First Thursdays won the Best Open Mic Award in the Best of Honolulu Magazine
Honolulu Magazine
-History:In 1888, when Hawaii was still a monarchy, King Kalākaua commissioned a magazine under royal charter to be Hawaii's ambassador to the world. That magazine was Paradise of the Pacific. For nearly a century, Paradise of the Pacific promoted local business and tourism by assuring citizens of...
.
Mission and Highlights
The mission of First Thursdays is to provide a platform for all poets who wish to set foot on its stage and share their words. It also strives to expose its audience to touring poets, musicians, artists, and DJ's by hosting a special guest feature at each show.Past features have included touring poets (Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Beau Sia
Beau Sia
-Biography:Sia was born in Ohio. He is of Chinese-Filipino descent. Raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Sia discovered spoken word poetry on MTV as a teenager...
, Buddy Wakefield
Buddy Wakefield
Buddy Wakefield is an American performance poet/slam poet, whose latest works have been released by Righteous Babe Records and Write Bloody Publishing .- Biography :...
, Sekou tha Misfit, Oveous Maximus, Andrea Gibson, Anis Mojgani
Anis Mojgani
Anis Mojgani is a spoken word poet, visual artist and musician based in Portland, Oregon.Mojgani has been characterized as a "geek genius" with "fiercely hopeful word arias"...
, Mighty Mike McGee
Mighty Mike McGee
Michael Matthew McGee, more commonly known as Mighty Mike McGee , is an American slam poet.Born in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, McGee is the oldest of eight children from several marriages. He has spent most of his life in and around San Jose, California, where he started his career in spoken word,...
, Robbie Q. Telfer
Robbie Q. Telfer
Robbie Q. Telfer is an American poet and poetry slam performer.He has been a featured performer in dozens of poetry shows throughout North America, including Toronto, Detroit, Oakland, Austin, St. Louis, Honolulu, Boston, and Providence, as well as the Bowery Poetry Club in New York City and the...
, Tshaka Campbell, Michelle "Mush" Lee, Iyeoka Ivie Okoawo, Danny Sherrard
Danny Sherrard
Danny Sherrard is a a performing poet. He was born in Seattle, Washington on August 29, 1985. In August 2007 he won the Individual National Poetry Slam competition, becoming the youngest competitor to win such a title. In 2008 Sherrard won France's Poetry World Cup where he competed against...
, Angelo Moore from Fishbone
Fishbone
Fishbone is a U.S. alternative rock band formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California, which plays a fusion of ska, punk rock, funk, hard rock and soul. Critics have noted of the band: "Fishbone was one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s...
), musical groups (Quadraphonix, Henry Kapono, Makana
Makana
Makana is a mountain located on northern shore of the island of Kauai, where it rises above Limahuli Valley at .Makana is a Hawaiian language term meaning gift or reward. It is often used as a person's name or as part of a name....
, John Cruz, Full Blown Soul, Sewa Fare, Jennifer Johns, the Genie, Jake Shimabukuro
Jake Shimabukuro
Jake Shimabukuro is an ukulele virtuoso known for his complex finger work. His music combines elements of jazz and rock.- History :...
, Tempo Valley, Scott Huckabay), theatre productions (Chase, Jaguar Priests, Hip-hopalypse), the Waikiki B-boys, Capoeira
Capoeira
Capoeira is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with Brazilian native influences, probably beginning in the 16th century...
Senzala, the Tales From the Arabian Nights troupe, Shakti Dance Movement (bellydancing troupe), and fashion shows by Urban Nomad and Priya.
Past DJs have included Zita (Sisters in Sound), Kavet the Catalyst (Lightsleepers), Skid (Hawaii ITF Champion), Taharba/Sovern-T (Treehaus), Frank(E) from the Beathackers Kollectiv, Primmitiv (RGU), Chia (SIS), Oliver Twist, Celine (RGU), Toki (SIS), A2Z (Microscopic Syllables), Rebelgirl (RGU), Chris Sabien, Marloca (SIS), Monkey, Mega Supras, DJ Mr. Nick, and Risup (Direct Descendants).
Past visual artistry has included live painting by Aaron Martin, Solomon Enos, Kimi Werner, Adriano Ferraz, Elisha Kemp, Matt DeMartino, Erin McCullough, the Storekeeper, Dhyana Zagri, Stanstill, Wes Ka`uhane, Pancho Abalos, Carol Tagawa, and Nabahe. There have also been interactive murals by Progress Hawaii and visual projections by SYTE Entertainment, Elea Dumas, and Solomon Enos. Hawai`i Slam's First Thursdays has even had massage therapists, chefs (Ono Pono got its start there), and psychic readers sharing their art forms in the lounges.
Hawaii Slam Grand Slam Finals
Each April, Hawaii Slam invites the top 12 poets of the previous year (winners and runners-up from the 6 qualifying slams) to compete in a 3-round elimination bout for spots on the Hawaii Slam team. Each summer the Hawaii Slam team travels to the National Poetry Slam to compete against teams from approximately 75 other cities. The Hawaii Slam finals bouts are consistently the biggest event of the Hawaii Slam year, with upwards of 700 people in attendance.In 2004, Hawaii Slam finals were held at Studio1, hosted by Hawaiian Ryan, with featured guest Angelo Moore (from Fishbone). Finalists for the first Hawaii Slam finals included Adele, Josh Echemendia, Lumenz, TravisT, Melvin Borja, Serious Wit, Selah Geissler, JME, Rebelgirl, Intrepid, and Kealoha. The 2004 Hawaii Slam team was Selah Geissler, Kealoha, Melvin Borja, and TravisT. They competed at the National Poetry Slam in St. Louis, MO in August, 2004.
In 2005, Hawaii Slam finals were held at the Hawaiian Hut, hosted by See, with featured guest poets from Youth Speaks Hawai`i and the Mega Supras. The finalists included Hawaiian Ryan, Omega6, TravisT, Melvin Borja, Intrepid, Brenda Kwon, Selah Geissler, Serious Wit, Kealoha, Cawa Tran, Jaz Davis, and Josh Echemendia. The 2005 Hawaii Slam team was Selah Geissler, Kealoha, Melvin Borja, and TravisT. They competed at the National Poetry Slam in Albuquerque, NM in August, 2005.
In 2006, Hawaii Slam finals were held at the Hawaiian Hut, hosted by Intrepid, with featured guest Sekou tha Misfit. The finalists included See, Melvin Borja, Josh Echemendia, Hina Puamohala Kneubuhl, Kealoha, Paula Fuga, Jess Kroll, TravisT, Malena Brooks, and Jay Kaneaiakala. The 2006 Hawaii Slam team was Melvin Borja, TravisT, Kealoha, and See. They competed at the National Poetry Slam in Austin, TX in August, 2006.
In 2007, Hawaii Slam finals were held at the Hawaiian Hut, hosted by See and Intrepid, with featured guest Big Poppa E. The finalists included Pam, Aaron, Dazsmar, TravisT, Lyz Soto, Jahsun, Stri, Skye White, Kealoha, Dar'ron, Pat Masumoto, and Melvin Borja. The 2007 Hawaii Slam team was Lyz Soto, Kealoha, Dar'ron and Stri. They competed at the National Poetry Slam in Austin, TX in August, 2007.
The 2008, Hawaii Slam finals were held at the Hawaiian Hut, hosted by See, with featured guest Sekou tha Misfit. The finalists included Sela, Kealoha, Lyz Soto, Tui "Tui-Z" Scanlan, TravisT, Jay Kaneaiakala, Intrepid, Alex Armstrong, Dar'ron, Stri, Liam Skilling, & Vince Murai. The 2008 Hawaii Slam team was Kealoha, Dar'ron, Tui-Z, and TravisT. They competed at the National Poetry Slam in Madison, WI in August, 2008.
In 2009, Hawaii Slam finals were held at Pipeline Cafe, hosted by See, with featured guest Anis Mojgani. The finalists were William Giles, Danny Sherrard, Kealoha, Lyz Soto, Bridget Gray, Jason B, TravisT, Free Write, Dar'ron, Rob Words, Tui-Z, and Dakini Star. The 2009 Hawaii Slam team was Kealoha, Dar'ron, Tui-Z, and Danny Sherrard. They competed at the National Poetry Slam in West Palm Beach, FL in August, 2009.
In 2010, Hawaii Slam finals were held at Fresh Cafe, hosted by Intrepid with featured guest "Mighty" Mike McGee. The finalists were Harrison Ines, Jocelyn Ng, Sterling Higa, Ittai Wong, Kealoha, Dr. D, Bridget Gray, Tui-Z, Forgotten Artform, Son da One, Jonra, and Jess Kroll. The 2010 Hawaii Slam team was Sterling Higa, Jocelyn Ng, Tui-Z, Jess Kroll, and Forgotten Artform. They competed at the National Poetry Slam in St. Paul, MN in August, 2010.