Berger is the editor of the second edition of Hawaiian Music and Musicians, the definitive one-volume 1000-page encyclopedia on Hawaiian music and musicians published by Mutual Publishing in 2012. He is also a Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning liner notes writer.
Berger’s career as an entertainment journalist began in 1972 when he became a full-time contributor to Sunbums, Hawaii’s ‘70s era equivalent to Rolling Stone. An invitation from Kamasami Kong in 1977 to become part of Kong’s radio show was the start of an 18-year career in local radio that included eight years as a member of Michael Qseng’s Morning Maddness Crew on KQMQ. He has also appeared as an entertainment news reporter on local television stations co-promoting the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Hawaii audiences will see a familiar face when Samantha Neyland Trumbo, who was Miss Hawaii USA 2020, stars as Chelsea Alexander in the new holiday rom-com “Christmas Rescue” on the subscription streaming service BET+. Read more
Lyle Nelson — a longtime Honolulu Star-Bulletin staff writer, avid sportsman and World War II veteran — died Nov. 11 at Pohai Nani in Kaneohe. He was 99. Read more
Hawaii-born Iam Tongi celebrates his first Christmas as an “American Idol” winner with “An Iam Tongi Christmas,” a three-song EP that will be available Friday on all streaming platforms. Read more
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The Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame will honor its 2023 class of inductees with the “Lei of Stars 2023” event at 10 a.m. Dec. 17 at the ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. Read more
Short character sketches, holiday songs and opportunities for audience participation combine to embrace children of all backgrounds in marking the year-end festivities that are part of life in Hawaii. Read more
Janet Jackson, international superstar and Hawaii favorite since the release of her multiplatinum breakthrough album “Control” in 1986, is bringing her “Together Again” tour to Honolulu for a two-night engagement at Blaisdell Arena in March. Read more
Michael Donato enjoys the process of creating art in a variety of forms. Read more
Kaylee Shimizu notched another victory Monday as she emerged the winner on the first night of the three-way knockout rounds on NBC’s popular talent show “The Voice.” Read more
Hawaii’s caregivers are in the spotlight this week as the PlayBuilders of Hawai‘i Theater Company presents its new community-based play, “The Super Executive Aunties of the Malama the Caregivers Collective.” Read more
Hawaii went 2-for-2 this week as Kaylee Shimizu and Jason Arcilla won their Battle Rounds on NBC’s popular talent show “The Voice.” Read more
When a friend asked Kata Maduli to fill in for a musician who couldn’t play for a night, he assumed they needed a drummer or a rhythm guitarist since he grew up playing both instruments. Read more
Honolulu Star-Advertiser cartoonist Jon J. Murakami is one of 23 island artists whose work will be on display Friday when “Comic Jam Hawaii: Talk Story, Draw Story” opens at the Downtown Art Center in Chinatown. Read more
It’s an origin story straight out of one of those old movies about kids putting together a show in their neighbor’s barn. But this one is true. Read more
“Who Am I.” That’s the title and the theme of the debut single by Taboo Zero, a compelling, dark, electric pop song that paints a portrait of a woman’s journey through emotional self-assessment and her quest for personal identity. Read more
Yemun Chung — event promoter, entertainment visionary, decorated combat veteran — died Sept. 11 in Las Vegas after complaining of chest pains. He was 78. Read more
The music video is a gorgeous celebration of Oahu’s beautiful scenery. Read more
In the final decades of the Hawaiian monarchy, and for a decade or two afterward, the violin, viola, cello, zither, autoharp and Western flute were integral parts of Hawaiian music. Read more
The year was 1983. Polynesian women had “the look” the national fashion industry was going gaga over, and they suddenly found themselves in demand for photo shoots and fashion show runways. Read more
When Kuuipo Kumukahi and the Hawaiian Music Perpetuation Society present “Mali‘o 2023 – Celebrating Na Mele Wahine” Friday and Saturday at the Hawaii Theater, audiences will experience kaona on several levels. Read more
Jeff Pang, 69, is generous with his produce, and with cuttings from his plants that lucky recipients can transplant in their own gardens. Ask “how-to” questions and he’ll share his knowledge. Read more
Native American residents of the islands will be joined by dancers and musicians from the mainland to celebrate the traditions of their culture. Read more
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