Where was your first event?

The first event I threw was an all-Hawaii hip-hop show at the UH Campus Center. It went off really well, and mILLion bILLion and hip-hop artist, Nabahe, suggested I apply for a radio DJ spot with KTUH FM, the UH student-run volunteer radio station. So I started "The genuineHI Show" on KTUH that featured 3 hours of 100% Hawaii hip-hop, while continuing to throw live shows at UH. Chris Kahunahana (part-owner of Next Door) caught word of what I was doing and was in the process of switching up the weekly reggae Thursday night party, "The Mighty HNL", at Next Door. He offered me a chance to throw my own event at Next Door once a month on Thursdays. This was the start of "The Next Movement" (named after The Roots' track) in June 2007. The art, music, and fashion event was well-attended and continued to pack the venue each month, so in November it was upgraded to Saturdays, on every last Saturday of the month.

Tell us a crazy story from one of your parties.

The Bhutanese monks came to The Next Movement when they were visiting Hawaii. They got down, no doubt.

What do you do when you're not promoting?

I'm a full-time Mechanical Engineering student at UH-Manoa. Promoting is just on the side for fun.

Smart guy eh? What do you think sets your events apart from everyone elses?

I think bringing live art, music, and fashion to the club scene is something refreshing that people usually don't get to see. The challenge with spotlighting the underground art scene is keeping the level of quality high and presenting it in a way that is appealing to anyone who walks in the door. Contrary to many underground events that feel kind exclusive or elitist, the feeling at my events is inviting and inclusive. It doesn't matter who you are; if you get down with us, you are part of The Next Movement.

If there is one thing that sets my events apart, it's vibe. You can't pay for vibe. You can pay for the dopest sound system, intelligent lighting, whatever, but you can't buy a dope vibe for your party. That has to be created. It starts with the name of your event, the flyer design, how you advertise, the artists you book, the combination of DJs who spin, the venue, the visuals, the people, the clothes you wear, everything. Vibe is something abstract, elusive, and partly uncontrollable. You can build it up, but once the doors open, things are already in motion.

SuperCW. com named The Next Movement "Best Vibe" for 2007.

Your once a month party, "The Next Movement" is a hit. Would you ever consider doing a weekly event?

Not as a full-time student. I think the reason why the event has continued to be successful each month is because the event stays fresh by featuring different artists that are of a high quality. Consistent quality is what keeps people coming back, because if a party is guaranteed to be dope, people will make the effort to come. But as far as doing a weekly, a monthly is way too much for me as it is. A weekly is straight up grueling. Props to anyone holding down a weekly. I give it up to any promoter, for that matter. It doesn't matter if you are doing underground, mainstream, artsy, booty, whatever, it's hard work. It's not as glorious as it's made out to be. No one sees all the work that goes into making an event dope, they just see the end product. No one can understand what it takes to put on an event until they do it themselves.

We've seen these "For the Love" t-shirts all over the place. What does that term mean and where can we get one?

Haha, those are the first shirts I printed. It was a limited-run with only 144 mens & womens cuts. They are all sold out. I did each one of those completely by hand, sewing in the genuineHI tags and all.

The words refer to doing things "For the Love" of it. Whether you're an artist, DJ, bboy/bgirl, activist, or just a supporter, there are things that you do purely for the love and for no other reason (money, fame, recognition, etc). If you see someone with that red shirt, they either got it at The Next Movement, UH Campus Center, REVO in Hilo, or directly from me.

Awww, now I'm sad. What is your drink of choice?

I don't drink. I like water though.

Where do you see Hawaii's nightlife in 1 year?

Hopefully, events will get more creative. I really enjoyed reading your interview with Flash & Matty Boy. I think they touched on some really important points. Promoting an open bar, go-go dancers, drink specials, ladies in free, etc, has it's place. But when you use it as the primary way to bring in people, I think it affects the type of crowd you attract. If that's the crowd you are going for, then it's all good, but it might start to limit you. People who come to my events aren't there for cheap drinks or gimmicks, they are there because they want to see some dope artists, check out a quality show, and be around other interesting and creative people. I hope promoters try to think outside of the box and get away from formulaic events. Props to people doing something different and innovative.

How do people get on your guest lists?

You can make your own guest list on my website by paying half-cover price for each guest. If someone wants to help promote the event or contribute to the event in some way, I'm happy to get them in for free.

Any upcoming special events you guys are doing?

I have some ideas for summer so keep an eye out.

Secrets! Oh well, any thing else you want to say? Shoutouts?

I'd like to thank each person who has supported genuineHI in some way.

Some of those supporters and inspirations are: Kavet the Catalyst, Lightsleepers, Honozooloo, SuperCW, DRYFCK, atypicalLiving, Cabbit Records, Chris Kahunahana, Next Door, DJ Mr. Nick, The Street Society, REVO, Ryan Camacho, JPS Dressers Hair & Nail Salon, Thirst4worst, DoSomethingTonight, 948-BUZZ, HNLnow, groundUP, SIQ Records, DanceOnPartyOn, Trav15, mILLion bILLion, KTUH, all the local hip-hop artists, visual artists, DJs, fashion designers, models, hair & makeup artists, local boutiques, and anyone repping Hawaii in a positive way.

Thanks for taking the time Jake. Dont miss The Next Movement every last saturday of the month at Next Door.