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.
Dave Benson, a co-founder of First Night Honolulu and the Honolulu Symphony Fun Run fundraiser, Race Director of the Honolulu Marathon from 1980 to 1984, and 30-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department, died April 2 after a short battle with ALS. He was 82. Read more
With the help of her daughter, Hallman continued working until the age of 92. Read more
Tomimbang Burns gave back to the community by establishing and overseeing endowments and scholarships for underserved groups. Read more
Sterling Robert Cale, a Pearl Harbor survivor who served the United States throughout World War II, and also in Korea and Vietnam, and then met thousands of visitors as a volunteer at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, died Jan. 20 at his home in Aiea. He was 102. Read more
The challenges faced and overcome by the United States’ first African American astronauts will be celebrated Thursday when the 13th annual Honolulu African American Film Festival opens with a gala screening of “The Space Race” at the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Doris Duke Theatre. Read more
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Roland Hung Chew Leong was born in May of 1944 at Queen’s Hospital and grew up on Pacific Heights. Auto racing became his passion at an early age. Read more
The greatest legacy of teachers, school counselors and sports coaches are the young lives they shape and guide toward gainful productive lives. Read more
Nicholas Lum — one-third of the Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning trio Keauhou — aims to challenge how Hawaiian music is defined with his new solo album, “Pewa.” Read more
Kit Samson, a Philippine-born pianist who played a 23-year engagement with his band, Kit Samson’s Sound Advice, at the Kalaha Hilton Hotel, died Dec. 20 after several years of declining health. He was 89. Read more
Kamaka was less than two months short of what would have been his 99th birthday when he died July 23. Read more
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
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
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
