Mele Apana
Christine "Mele" Apana | |
|---|---|
| Born | 20 May 1974 |
| Alma mater | Kamehameha Schools |
| Parent | Charlotte Apana |
| Awards | Louise Aʻoe McGregor Award |
| Career | |
| Show | Morning Jam, Nāʻau Therapy |
| Station(s) | KCCN-FM, KINE-FM |
| Network | SummitMedia |
| Show | Hawaii News Now |
| Station(s) | KITV, KHNL |
| Country | United States |
Christine "Mele" Apana is a radio broadcaster, television entertainment reporter and personality, entertainer, emcee, and actress in Honolulu, Hawaii. She has presented numerous events in Hawaii entertainment including the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards alongside Billy V.
Early life
Mele Apana was born and grew up in Kapaʻa, Hawaii and pursued her education at Kamehameha Schools where she graduated in 1992.
As a toddler, Apana was heavily influenced by her aunt, Kauaʻi entertainer and kumu hula, Lovely Apana. She grew up singing and dancing hula at lūʻau shows produced by her aunt and family.[1] As she grew older, Apana would join her aunt to promote the family's music and hula events. It was during this time that she met Uncle Moe Keale and began mimicking what the entertainers would do.
During her time at Kamehameha Schools, Apana lead her class for four straight years at the renowned Kamehameha Schools Song Contest held at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. In her senior year, she was awarded the Louise Aʻoe McGregor Award for outstanding student directorship.[2]
Career
Apana began her radio career in 1998 when she was approached by the program director of KCCN-FM station of Honolulu to be a part of the on-air personality team.[3] This began a more than 30 year radio career with short stints on radio stations like KPHW and KDNN.
By the early 2000s, Apana had quickly garnered popularity and was asked to co-host the morning radio segment on KINE-FM with Shannon Scott.[4] Together, they became known as "Da Kolohe Krew."
On January 6, 2022, Summit Media Hawaii, the owners of KCCN-FM and KINE-FM, conducted mass layoffs[5] which included Apana, and other on-air personalities including Billy V, Shannon Scott, and longtime traffic news reporter Danielle Tucker.
As of 2025, Apana co-hosts a daytime television special, Island Life Live, on KITV with Davey D and Lina Girl.[6]
Credits
Radio
| Year | Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | KCCN-FM | On-Air Personality |
| N/A | KPHW | On-Air Personality |
| N/A | KDNN | On-Air Personality |
| 2011 | KINE-FM | On-Air Personality |
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. | Aunti #1 |
| 2023 | Merrie Monarch Festival | Co-Emcee |
| 2024 | Island Life Live | Co-Host |
| 2024 | Tokyo Vice (TV series) | Performer |
References
- ^ Paterson, Melissa (February 6, 2019). "Mento Mele on the Mic". MidWeek Kauai.
- ^ "Hoʻokūkū Hīmeni - Song Directors". Retrieved January 6, 2026.
- ^ Fernandez-Akamine, Puanani (January 2, 2024). "Radio Personalities Collaborate on a New Local Lifestyle Show". Ka Wai Ola.
- ^ Omaye, Jayna (April 24, 2020). "Local Entertainers Who Are Keeping Spirits High During COVID-19". Honolulu Magazine.
- ^ Lum, Stephanie (January 6, 2022). "Well-known voices absent from morning commute following radio layoffs". Hawaii News Now.
- ^ "Island Life Live". KITV Island News. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
External links
- Mele Apana at IMDb