Jose Dynamite decided to come to Hawaii after hearing about the islands’ party reputation while a high schooler in St. Louis, Mo. By the time he graduated from Chaminade University, he’d decided to stay.

In the years that followed, Dynamite, who is part Filipino, made a commitment to stand-up comedy that took him from wannabe comic to local comedy club headliner, event promoter and recording artist.

Dynamite, 40, celebrated the fourth anniversary of Comedy U, his Wednesday night comedy showcase with Patrick Tyrrell at Anna O’Brien’s, on Jan. 31.

On Feb. 23, he’ll celebrate five years of weekly comedy shows in the Celtic Room at O’Toole’s Irish Pub downtown.

JOHN BERGER: How did you get into stand-up?

JOSE DYNAMITE: It was in 1999. Chaminade had a talent contest and I wrote a routine and I got on stage — and I’m pretty sure I bombed.

No matter how funny you think you are or how funny your friends tell you you are, the first time you’re on stage in front of an audience with those lights in your eyes, it’s completely different from what you expected. Afterward you say, “I sucked!”

JB: When does someone earn the right to say they’re a comedian?

JD: The first time you’re hired to open for a bigger act is the first sign that you’re doing something right. But if you’re asked to return (as a paid performer) a second time — maybe then. For me, that might have been 2004.

JB:What advice do you have for people who want to be comics?

JD: What Augie T told me: You gotta go find your voice and go find your audience.

JB: What’s your next big project?

JD: We’ve been bringing some really good comedians out here that might not have a huge following yet. On April 20, it’s Steve Caouette and Monica Nevi, with Bryan Rupp from the Big Island opening for them, at Artistry Lounge.

JB: Is there something about you that might surprise people?

JD: I play ice hockey over at the Ice Palace and I’m a referee for the adult league.

JB: What would you like to be doing five years from now?

JD: My youngest kid will be in college by that time — hopefully — and I would like to travel a bit more with my girlfriend and do some tours. If I make it big, I make it big, but my goal is to have a good time, put on a good show and give the comedians I’m working with the opportunity to get stage time.

I love my room in the Celtic Room and I hope it’s still there in five years.