KTUH alum hopes to impact Seattle hip-hop, Hawaii style

HAWAII HIP-HOP loses one of its more outspoken supporters next month, when Jake "The Snake" Miyasato makes the move to Everett, Wash.

"I graduated this past semester from (the University of Hawaii-Manoa), and then I got a job ... with Boeing," he said earlier this week after returning from his first trip to the Pacific Northwest. "There's a lot of Hawaii people up there, especially in Seattle."

Miyasato established himself in 2006 with "The GenuineHI Show" on college radio station KTUH-FM. After hosting events on campus, he made the move to Chinatown last June with "The Next Movement" at NextDoor. For the next 11 months, various hip-hop acts shared the stage with local artists and fashion designers.

Saturday's final installment features Tassho Pearce and The Perfect Median with DJ Bumblebee, plus a fashion show by The Street Society and fashion students from UH-Manoa and Honolulu Community College. Miyasato also plans to host one last show at the club in June.

"I feel like it's not really the end," Miyasato said. "I'm okay about leaving because I still think I'll be doing stuff from Washington.

"Wherever I'm at, I'll do whatever I can to support Hawaii hip-hop."

Be sure to check out the flier for this one, which uses more than 450 separate images in a mosaic designed by Aaron Yoshino. Visit www.honozooloo.com to see it online ...

CONGRATS TO Mailani Makainai, who recently signed a multi-album recording contract with the Mountain Apple Company.

"We're hoping to have an album out in the fall," Mountain Apple president Leah Bernstein said last week. "The project is (in the) recording (phase) right now."

Makainai, who won two Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in 2002 as one half of the group Keahiwai, plans to take a more traditional approach to her solo debut. Her recent work with Mighty J explored more of a folk/rock vibe, but Makainai's first solo effort is expected to head in a completely different direction ...

FRIDAY'S PICKS: Japanese ska bands Oi-Skall Mates and No-All join Black Square and Golfcart Rebellion for an 18-and-over show at Anna Bannana's. Head back on Saturday to see the Mates with Go Jimmy Go and Pimpbot; doors open both nights at 9:30 p.m. ... Local rapper Nabahe Benally is back in town after touring the mainland with Ceschi Ramos. They'll be at the Higher Ground Coffee Shop in Wahiawa starting at 8:30 p.m. Friday, with opening sets by Josh86, NoMasterBacks, Mikey Teda and Kavet the Catalyst. Cover is $5; all-ages welcome ... Tio's 18-and-over "Choloha Fridays" weekly skanks into summer with a live set by Ooklah the Moc and $5 pitchers on tap for the big kids ...

SATURDAY'S PICKS: Dallas-based AC/DC cover band Back in Black repeats at Pipeline after playing there in December. Buddhist Priest and "12-year-old Guitar Sensation" Amanda Abila will open the 18-and-over show ... The Hawaii Dental Association presents its second annual "Denim and Diamonds" fundraiser at the Hanohano Room, starting at 6 p.m. Star 101.9's Maleko will host, with scheduled performances by Henry Kapono, Makana, John Cruz, DeShannon Higa, Rocky Brown and Paul Ogata. Tickets start at $125; call 723-1449 ... No Way Out Entertainment introduces a new party at Brew Moon. "The Sauce" will take place every first, second and fourth Saturday of the month, with DJs Kris and Flip on the decks ...

NEXT WEEK: Head to Kakaako Waterfront Park on Sunday for a picnic that features some of the island's top electronic DJs. The needles drop at 10 a.m. and won't stop until well after sunset, with DJs Erick, Shift, Rayne, Bite and friends spinning live sets ... The Vertical Junkies' Maka Vasconsellos has teamed with Payday Entertainment on "Mix Plate Mondays" at the former King St. Cafe. The weekly party features live bands and DJs in two rooms starting at 9:45 p.m. ... Fifteen07 Music Studios and The 808 Scene Zine start another battle of the bands at Anna Bannana's on Thursday. Busekrus, We Battle On, Making Ends Meet and Old Habits Die Hard are among the bands participating in the first round of competition; finals are scheduled for June 27 ...