Throughout the past few weeks of guest speakers, there has been a common theme surrounding the topic of Hip Hop in Hawaii. That theme can be summed up into one word “Ohana.” Kavet Omo a.k.a. “Kavet the Catalyst” of the Lightsleepers hip hop organization repeatedly acclaims this all encompassing idea of ohana is what made not only Lightsleepers what it is, but hip hop culture in Hawai’i as a whole. Kavet the Catalyst reminisces over the dawn of the Lightsleepers show on KTUH, recalling how it slowly gained stamina and popularity; the KTUH parking lot began to look like a party with breakers holding friendly competitions, MC’s freestyling to current beats, all steadily creating the foundations of Hawai’i’s hip hop culture. Nicole Kealoha of the Diverse Art Center shares the characteristic of Ohana in her hip-hop organization; with a holistic approach to providing children, teens and young adults a positive outlet to express themselves. Hawai’i is known as being a melting pot of cultures; we even have our own language to show how diverse and culturally varied the islands are. It’s not surprising that when hip-hop began to influence Hawai’i’s youths, something beautiful and unique happened.

            Kavet the Catalyst joyfully showed pictures of the Lightsleepers crew from the very beginning, providing a small introduction of who they were and who they became. It’s hard not to notice that the majority of these people all participated in various and multiple forms of hip-hop. Some were DJ’s and breakers, some were artists and writers, some were all of the above; it appeared that the whole crew went on to do some very impressive work in hip hop culture. Lightsleepers expanded from a 3am – 6am radio show on KTUH to a self-made brand representing “Hawai’i’s hip-hop roots, culture, life, curating, all day –everyday.” From hosting events, supporting local DJ’s and artists, to making fashionable wear for men and women, the Lightsleepers show progressed to something for the people, by the people. Kavet the Catalyst, somewhat disappointed, laments that “it just isn’t like that anymore.” In regards to this idea of ohana, everyone, artists, DJ’s, writers, breakers, all cruised together and collaborated their ideas and opinions with each other. Kavet the Catalyst gives an example of going out to the club and the whole crew being together, dancing having a good time, there were never fights started or bad feelings harnessed, it was all love. Everyone looked out for one another, because they were family. Hawai’i’s hip hop culture was lucky enough to have started this way, without this idea of ohana, Lightsleepers wouldn’t be what it is today.

            Diverse Art Center cultivates this same idea of ohana by providing a safe and productive place for children and young adults, (heck even adults)! Rather than becoming a self-made brand, Diverse Art Center is gearing its efforts to providing a creative outlet fully packed with art, dance, music and education. Diverse Art Center is a positive and productive place for people of all ages to come and contribute to the community while enriching the hip hop community and spreading the word throughout the generations that hip hop isn’t a negative influence for our children. The stereotype of hip hop music and the hip hop lifestyle in general of being one of a negative influence is not right, as stated in many articles before, hip hop music is only a reflection of what society already is today. Rather, than beating a horse to death with words trying to convince the public of this fact, the Diverse Art Center is doing one better and making a better society. The Diverse Art Center is all about ohana, without this concept, it wouldn't be able to strive towards the goals and vision it has.

            Just as the Lightsleepers had a diverse crew all interested in different aspects of hip-hop culture, the Diverse Art Center has the same. It’s an organization that combines art, music, dance and education to support local youth in creatively and safely expressing themselves in a positive way for themselves and the community. Ohana, something so special to our islands, is capable of many things. Who would’ve thought that this Hawaiian word and concept could’ve played such a fundamental role in hip hop culture?