Rabbit Holes
In a world of headlines designed to distract, Rabbit Holes is here to investigate, analyze, and expose the stories that matter. Hosted by Kawika Hoke, this hard-hitting podcast dissects politics, pop culture, technology, conspiracy theories, Hawaiian issues, and the forces shaping our digital and physical worlds. Each episode cuts through misinformation, corporate spin, and media bias to bring you sharp analysis, expert interviews, and the kind of truth they don’t want you to question. From government cover-ups to social media shake-ups, we follow the facts—wherever they lead. No scripts. No talking points. Just the truth, with a skeptical eye and a sharp wit. 💡 Think critically. Stay curious. Watch where you step. 📢 New episodes weekly. Let’s go down the rabbit hole. 🚀
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Episodes
Friday Mar 07, 2025
Friday Mar 07, 2025
In this episode of Rabbit Holes, we take a deep look at the Wailea 670 (Honuaʻula) development and the long-standing fight over its impact on Maui. What started as a plan to provide mixed-use residential housing has morphed into yet another luxury-driven project, with broken promises along the way.
We explore:
The history of Wailea 670, from its original approval in 2008 to its latest legal and environmental challenges.
The shrinking affordable housing commitments—how 700 promised units became just 288, and what that means for local families.
Environmental and cultural concerns, including threats to one of Maui’s last dryland forests and over 200 cultural sites, including iwi kūpuna (ancestral burials).
The political landscape, the legal loopholes developers use, and how similar projects across Hawaiʻi follow the same pattern.
A conversation with Stacey Alapai, breaking down what’s at stake and how people can take action.
How to Testify Against Wailea 670
The Maui Planning Commission is holding a special public hearing on March 11, 2025 to determine the future of Wailea 670. Your voice matters.
📍 In-Person Testimony:🔹 Location: The Malcom Center, 1305 North Holopono St., Kīhei, HI 96753🔹 Time: 9:00 AM HST (until pau)
💻 Virtual Testimony:🔹 Submit online testimony: https://bit.ly/311-WAILEA670
📧 Email Written Testimony:🔹 Email: planning@mauicounty.gov
📜 County Agenda & Meeting Details:🔹 Official Maui County Agenda for the Public Hearing
Sources & Further Reading
For listeners who want to explore more about Wailea 670’s history, the legal battle, and environmental concerns, here are key resources we used in this episode:
🔹 History & Background
📜 Wailea 670 (Honuaʻula) Development History – Maui Tomorrow📜 Maui News: Honuaʻula Back Before County Council (Jan 2024)📜 Civil Beat: Maui Council Questions Affordable Housing Reductions (Nov 2023)
🌱 Environmental Concerns
🌿 Sierra Club Maui: Honuaʻula Project Update (2024)🌿 Center for Biological Diversity: Hawaiian Dryland Forest Conservation🌿 Honolulu Magazine: Wildlife & Water Concerns Stall Maui Developments
🏛️ Cultural & Historical Significance
📜 Maui News: Honuaʻula Project Clears Planning Commission (2022)📜 Office of Hawaiian Affairs: Protecting Iwi Kūpuna on Maui📜 Ka Wai Ola: Protecting Hawaiian Burial Sites
⚖️ Legal & Political Landscape
⚖️ Maui County Official Archive – Wailea 670 Approvals⚖️ Maui News: Legal Challenges to Honuaʻula Continue (Feb 2024)⚖️ Maui Now: Council Reviews New Conditions for Honuaʻula Project (Jan 2024)
🌊 Community Response & Activism
📢 Sierra Club Maui: Community Action Against Honuaʻula📢 Hawaiian Council: Community Opposition to Honuaʻula (2023)📢 Maui News: Council Hears Testimony Against Wailea 670 (Jan 2024)
📌 Current Status & Delays
📅 Civil Beat: Honuaʻula Project Delays Continue Amid Legal Disputes (Feb 2024)📅 Maui County: 2024 Honuaʻula Hearings & Decisions📅 KHON2: Maui Development Halted Due to Cultural Concerns
🌺 Ties to Land Sovereignty & Hawaiian Self-Determination
🌎 Office of Hawaiian Affairs: Land Sovereignty & Honuaʻula Case Study🌎 Maui Now: Native Hawaiians Call for Preservation of Honuaʻula (Jan 2024)🌎 Civil Beat: Maui Land Rights Dispute Highlights Need for Sovereign Governance (Feb 2024)
Credits
🎙️ Host & Producer: Kawika Hoke🎛️ Produced by: Laulima Public Broadcasting, Kīhei, Hawaiʻi🎧 Guest: Stacey Alapai
🎵 Music in this Episode:🎶 Moarn - If You Like The Blues (Instrumental)🎶 Miles Kvndra - I am Satoshi Nakamoto (Jam No. 4) (Instrumental)🎶 Seb - Elements
📢 Help us grow the conversation. If this episode resonated with you, share it, leave a review, and let people know what’s at stake.
🌿 Stay informed. Stay engaged. Keep questioning everything.
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
Wednesday Feb 19, 2025
What if your favorite movies, the daily news, and viral social media trends weren't just reflections of reality but carefully manufactured narratives designed to keep you inside a controlled paradigm? In this episode of Rabbit Holes, we break down the illusion of choice in media—how Hollywood, the corporate news cycle, and social media algorithms manufacture reality, shape public perception, and influence what we think we know.
From the six corporations that control 90% of American media to the scripted nature of modern journalism and the algorithmic chokehold on social media, we uncover how the stories we consume are chosen for us—and what that means for critical thinking, free speech, and independent thought.
Buckle up, truth seekers. It's time to go down the rabbit hole.
🕳️ Episode Highlights & Timecodes:
⏱️ 00:00 – Cold Open: The "Algorithmic Reality" We Live In
How media shapes your worldview before you even realize it.
⏱️ 00:31 – Intro & Show Overview
Welcome to Rabbit Holes, plus what's coming up in this episode.
⏱️ 03:53 – Segment 1: Hollywood & The Illusion of Choice
Why every blockbuster, reboot, and franchise film feels the same—and how radical ideas get absorbed and neutralized.
⏱️ 10:40 – Segment 2: The Manufactured News Cycle – A Scripted Reality
How corporate ownership, pre-approved narratives, and algorithmic curation ensure you only hear what the system wants you to hear.
⏱️ 19:31 – Segment 3: Social Media – The Controlled Opposition Engine
From algorithmic censorship to astroturfing and AI-generated influencers, we explore how digital platforms shape public opinion while maintaining the illusion of free speech.
⏱️ 26:58 – Segment 4: Weird of the Week – The Fake Reality Machine
A real-life case study on how AI-generated content, bot networks, and viral misinformation can create entirely fabricated events—and why most people never notice. How do you break out of the media manipulation cycle, think critically, and take back control of your attention?
⏱️ 33:57 – Show Credits & Outro
Producer, music credits, and where to find us online.
🔗 Sources & Further Reading:
Want to dig deeper? Here are some of the key sources that helped shape this episode:
The Six Companies That Own 90% of Media in the U.S. – Business Insider
The Pentagon's Influence on Hollywood – The Guardian
News Anchors Reading Identical Scripts Compilation – Sinclair Broadcast Group Controversy
How Algorithms Decide What You See Online – MIT Technology Review
AI-Generated Influencers & Fake Engagement – The Verge
The Ghost of Kyiv: A Manufactured War Hero – BBC News
🎵 Music Credits:
This episode features music from the following artists:
JONES – ID Crisis (Instrumental)
Digital Moss – Hyna Ruje (Instrumental)
Liam Back – Strategic Invasion (Instrumental)
A/B – Feel It (Instrumental)
Arms and Sleepers – The Pedestrian (Instrumental)
Moarn – If You Like The Blues (Instrumental)
Miles Kvndra – I Am Satoshi Nakamoto (Jam No. 4) (Instrumental)
📢 Show Credits:
Produced by: Kawika Hoke for Laulima Public Broadcasting, Kihei, HI
📩 Follow us for updates and behind-the-scenes content!
📱 Socials: @RabbitsOnSunday
📬 Contact: info.lpbc.maui@gmail.com
© Rabbit Holes Podcast, 2025. All rights reserved.
Enjoyed this episode? Don't forget to:
✅ Subscribe to Rabbit Holes on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Podbean and wherever you get your podcasts.
✅ Leave a review – Help us stay independent by rating and reviewing the show!
✅ Join the discussion – Follow us on Instagram & Facebook: @RabbitsOnSunday and tell us: What stories do YOU think the media isn't telling?
👀 Got a rabbit hole you think we should explore? Drop us a tip in the comments or our DMs.
Wednesday Feb 12, 2025
Wednesday Feb 12, 2025
The Future of Hawaiian Social Media
🎙 Welcome to Season 5 of Rabbit Holes! 🚀
We're kicking off this season with a deep dive into the future of social media—and how Hawaiʻi is making waves in the digital space. With TikTok’s ban shaking up the industry and corporate social media platforms facing growing distrust, HiLite has emerged as a Hawaiian-centric alternative built for creators by creators.
Joining us today is Sammy, the visionary behind HiLite, to discuss:
✅ What sets HiLite apart from other social platforms✅ How digital sovereignty can empower local communities✅ The challenges and opportunities in competing with corporate tech giants✅ The future of social media in a post-TikTok world
💡 Plus, in our opening editorial, we explore:🔹 The shift toward localized social platforms🔹 The growing movement of community-driven tech innovation🔹 What this means for digital privacy, content creation, and cultural preservation
Whether you’re a creator, a consumer, or just someone tired of the same old algorithmic nonsense, this episode is for you.
🎧 Hit play, and let’s go down the rabbit hole.
🔹 Show Credits
📝 Produced by: Kawika Hoke for Laulima Public Broadcasting, Kihei, HI🎵 Featuring music by:
Liam Back – CastleGuard, Stranger Synths III
Seb – Essentials
📢 Follow us for updates and behind-the-scenes content!🌐 Website: www.LPBCMaui.org 📩 Contact: info.lpbc.maui@gmail.com
© Rabbit Holes Podcast, 2025. All rights reserved.
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
Thursday Apr 20, 2023
Kawika sits down solo to talk about the world around us.
~Community Announcements~
Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
News Tip Formhttps://forms.gle/9aUHfdZeDBSVtpDaA
~Topics~
Facebook Class Action Lawsuit
Maui Humane Society needs your help!
Twitter allows hateful content as free speech
Netflix password crackdown
No More Netflix DVDs
AI Scams
Listen Live on KAKU 88.5 FM Tues/Wed/Thurs/Sun or Watch Rabbit Holes on The MauiStream App FREE
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Rabbit Holes is Produced by Kawika Hoke ©2023
Wednesday Apr 19, 2023
Wednesday Apr 19, 2023
Kawika sits down again with Brad Starks to talk about pop culture.
~Community Announcements~
Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
News Tip Formhttps://forms.gle/9aUHfdZeDBSVtpDaA
County of Maui is Hiringhttps://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/maui
~Topics~
Phantom of The Opera closes long-time run
Lilo & Stitch Live Action set affected by arson
Jonathan Majors dropped by management
Listen Live on KAKU 88.5 FM Tues/Wed/Thurs/Sun or Watch Rabbit Holes on The MauiStream App FREE
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Rabbit Holes is Produced by Kawika Hoke ©2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Kawika welcomes Sam Peralta back to the show to discuss the world around us.
~Community Announcements~
Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
News Tip Formhttps://forms.gle/9aUHfdZeDBSVtpDaA
County of Maui is Hiringhttps://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/maui
Maui Raceway Park - April 22
~Topics~
Adobe announces AI Video Editing
Earth Week
Merrie Monarch
Paradigm Shift
Minnesota VS Juul
Listen Live on KAKU 88.5 FM Tues/Wed/Thurs/Sun or Watch Rabbit Holes on The MauiStream App FREE
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Stay Connected with the show and our host:Rabbit HolesFB: https://www.facebook.com/RabbitsOnSundayIG: https://www.instagram.com/RabbitsOnSundayKawika HokeFB: https://www.facebook.com/kawikahokeIG: https://www.instagram.com/kawikahoke
Rabbit Holes is Produced by Kawika Hoke ©2023
Sunday Apr 16, 2023
Sunday Apr 16, 2023
Kawika spends his Sunday dishing on the best episode of The Mandalorian yet.
~Community Announcements~
Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
News Tip Formhttps://forms.gle/9aUHfdZeDBSVtpDaA
Call for entries to Pa'u Parade
~Topics~
AI Voice Cloning Scams
Republicans in Drag
Bali Locals distraught from over-tourism
Mandalorian Spoilers
Listen Live on KAKU 88.5 FM Tues/Wed/Thurs/Sun or Watch Rabbit Holes on The MauiStream App FREE
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Stay Connected with the show and our host:Rabbit HolesFB: https://www.facebook.com/RabbitsOnSundayIG: https://www.instagram.com/RabbitsOnSundayKawika HokeFB: https://www.facebook.com/kawikahokeIG: https://www.instagram.com/kawikahoke
Rabbit Holes is Produced by Kawika Hoke ©2023
Thursday Apr 13, 2023
Thursday Apr 13, 2023
Kawika rides solo to talk about AI, Child Labor, and the return of Billy McFarland.
~Community Announcements~
Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
News Tip Formhttps://forms.gle/9aUHfdZeDBSVtpDaA
ProArts Maui"The Broads of Broadway"Tickets: https://thelittleboxoffice.com/proartsmaui/book/event/160577
~Topics~
AI Reaches New Heights
Fyre Festival 2??? WTF?
Child Labor
Meat-like terms
Economy ahead
Listen Live on KAKU 88.5 FM Tues/Wed/Thurs/Sun or Watch Rabbit Holes on The MauiStream App FREE
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Stay Connected with the show and our host:Rabbit HolesFB: https://www.facebook.com/RabbitsOnSundayIG: https://www.instagram.com/RabbitsOnSundayKawika HokeFB: https://www.facebook.com/kawikahokeIG: https://www.instagram.com/kawikahoke
Rabbit Holes is Produced by Kawika Hoke ©2023
Wednesday Apr 12, 2023
Wednesday Apr 12, 2023
Kawika and Brad talk pop culture with a little sprinkle of national news, touching on everything from the Dalai Lama to the Mandalorian.
~Community Announcements~
Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
News Tip Formhttps://forms.gle/9aUHfdZeDBSVtpDaA
~Topics~
Dalai Lama Kiss
Barbie Trailer
Moana Live Action
Will the IP bubble ever burst?
The Marvels Teaser
Quantum Leap
Mandalorian
Snoop Cereal
Justin Jones & Justin Pearson
Learn more about our guest:Brad Starks
FB: https://www.facebook.com/bradstarkscomedyIG: https://www.instagram.com/bradstarks001/
Listen Live on KAKU 88.5 FM Tues/Wed/Thurs/Sun or Watch Rabbit Holes on The MauiStream App FREE
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mauiStream.app&hl=en_US&gl=US
iPhone: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/maui-stream/id1611402597
Stay Connected with the show and our host:Rabbit HolesFB: https://www.facebook.com/RabbitsOnSundayIG: https://www.instagram.com/RabbitsOnSundayKawika HokeFB: https://www.facebook.com/kawikahokeIG: https://www.instagram.com/kawikahoke
Rabbit Holes is Produced by Kawika Hoke ©2023
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Tuesday Apr 11, 2023
Kawika sits down with Sam Peralta and they catch up about what happened since last they talked during the election.
~Community Announcements~
Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
News Tip Formhttps://forms.gle/9aUHfdZeDBSVtpDaA
~Topics~
The Future of Beer is Queer
Indictment Season
Cold vs Hot News
Kihei Affordable Housing
Homeschool Co-Op
Teaching 'Olelo
HB955 Midwife Bill
Learn more about our guest:Sam PeraltaLinktr.ee/AlohaSam
www.LivingAdjusted.com
Listen Live on KAKU 88.5 FM Tues/Wed/Thurs/Sun or Watch Rabbit Holes on The MauiStream App FREE
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Stay Connected with the show and our host:Rabbit HolesFB: https://www.facebook.com/RabbitsOnSundayIG: https://www.instagram.com/RabbitsOnSundayKawika HokeFB: https://www.facebook.com/kawikahokeIG: https://www.instagram.com/kawikahoke
Rabbit Holes is Produced by Kawika Hoke ©2023
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
Wednesday Feb 15, 2023
Kawika returns from his extended break after being on the set of Moku Moku.
~Community Announcements~
Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
News Tip Formhttps://forms.gle/9aUHfdZeDBSVtpDaA
~Topics~
Where the hell have I been and why has it taken so long?
Ohio train derailment
Balloons
Half Time Show
Happy belated "Death to Capt Cook" Day
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PROMO CODE: RABBITHOLE
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Rabbit Holes is Produced for Manawa Kau by Kawika Hoke ©2022
Sunday Jan 15, 2023
Sunday Jan 15, 2023
Kawika continues his New Year's Resolution by talking with Council Member Shane Sinenci about the Cultural Overlay Bill and the East Maui Water Authority.
~Community Announcements~
Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
News Tip Formhttps://forms.gle/9aUHfdZeDBSVtpDaA
~Topics~
Cultural Overlay Bill
East Maui Water Authority
Hana County Office: 808-248-7513
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Rabbit Holes is Produced for Manawa Kau by Kawika Hoke ©2022
Sunday Jan 08, 2023
Sunday Jan 08, 2023
Kawika kicks off the New Year by talking with Council Member Keani Rawlins-Fernandez about what's ahead for Maui County this year.
~Community Announcements~
Submit your community and non-profit announcements: https://forms.gle/1vWNTtAXPSjg3GuN8
News Tip Formhttps://forms.gle/9aUHfdZeDBSVtpDaA
~Topics~
Wailuku Council Seat
Victorino Vetoes
Council adjourns early
Let's engage with our elected officials and tell them what we want!
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Rabbit Holes is Produced for Manawa Kau by Kawika Hoke ©2022
Curiouser & Curiouser
Sarah Rodriguez is an Actress and On-Air Personality who's discovering something new every day and Kawika Hoke is the outspoken know-it-all who digs for deeper answers to the world's toughest questions.
Listen to new episodes every Sunday as they discuss what matters most while getting lost in the distractions that help us escape from the crazy reality we all have to wake up to together.
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PROMO CODE: RABB1TH0LES