Abstract Magazine

"I firmly believe that you have to be a content creator to break into the entertainment industry, now more than ever. That’s the calling card: show us your voice," says 'Detective Pikachu' and 'Goosebumps' Director Rob Letterman.

Today and tomorrow, Letterman’s helping mentor local filmmakers (along with 'Moana' and 'Adrift' screenwriting bros Aaron and Jordan Kandell!) here in downtown Honolulu. It’s all part of the 2019 ‘Ohina Filmmakers Lab, where Hawai‘i storytellers and creatives have the opportunity to hone their skills by learning from Hollywood pros. At the end of the Lab, one project will be selected and tapped for production in 2020 by Ohina Films.

Want to learn more about the Ohina Short Film Showcase or meet the Kandells and Letterman? There’s a free Q & A tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Doris Duke Theatre. Come by to ask all your film-related questions. (Or, you know, questions about Moana and Pikachu, no shame)

Back in 2016, it seemed unbelievable that KTUH Honolulu—Hawai‘i's first noncommercial FM radio station—would be more than doubling its signal strength across O‘ahu, from 3,000 to 7,000 watts of power. (And changing its longtime callsign from 90.3 to 90.1 FM). But that impressive feat was surpassed only three years later with another achievement earlier this summer: the station's 50th anniversary.

For a college radio station that has been playing music for longer than humans first stepped foot on the moon, KTUH is still spry. While music in our modern era seems to be dominated by streaming services like Spotify and YouTube, 91% of Americans age 12 and older listen to AM/FM radio, according to a 2015 Nielsen RADAR study. 63% of drivers still use regular AM/FM radio as their primary audio source. Luckily for all of us here in Hawai‘i, "the only station that loves you" isn't going anywhere.

To celebrate this golden anniversary, KTUH has a variety of upcoming events planned, culminating in an impressive concert at Hawaiian Brians on October 4th that'll be a mix of old-school and new-school: with legendary songwriter and guitarist Richard Thompson - RT, mashup music pioneer DJ Z-Trip, and Hawaii's own savvy dj mr.nick. (KTUH50.brownpapertickets.com)

Interested in partying with DJs, college students, and music lovers? Preview the vibe tonight at UH's Manoa Gardens / Bale, where local bands Ragamuffs, No Villains Left, and goon lei goon will be rocking out from 6 to 9 pm as part of a special concert series for the station. Or tune in 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 90.1 FM in Honolulu or online at KTUH.org.

Mahalo KTUH! Five decades in and still going strong.

It’s been a minute, but we’re on the road again.

Charcuterie, anyone? Outdoor Junkiez co-founder Drew Farwell presents a selection of housemade pâté de campagne, house ham, mousse de foie, house grain mustard, pickles, and crostini at Grondin, Chinatown’s French-Latin kitchen that Abstract had the opportunity to embark on a food adventure with, in our 9th issue.

Pop in for brunch today or tomorrow from 10 am to 2 pm (or tonight, from 5 to 9 pm) to greet owners Jenny Grondin and Dave Segarra before Grondin closes its doors downtown tomorrow. We’ll miss meals like the ratatouille, Kaua'i prawn ceviche, adobo pork chop, and unreal cubanos, but we’re also excited to see what new projects Jenny and Dave are working on next.

Mahalo Grondin, for 4+ years of incredible dishes and drinks!