Meet Me Here

More and more Native Hawaiians are moving to the Pacific Northwest. In fact, Washington state has the third largest number of Kanaka Maoli, or Native Hawaiians, outside of Hawaii and California. As they move here, people are bringing their beloved customs and traditions with them. Like the artform of making lei, which are garlands made using all kinds of materials including flowers, nuts, clay and feathers. Seattle Times business reporter Megan Ulu-Lani Boyanton belongs to this community and was curious about how cultural traditions and customs have evolved in the Seattle area. Her article, Hawaiian lei makers blossom in Seattle area, but challenges grow, dives into this issue. Boyanton spoke with Meet Me Here host Jeannie Yandel about what she learned from local lei-makers for this story, and about the history of lei in Hawaii. This interview originally ran on KUOW's daily news podcast, Seattle Now. Where’s your favorite place to meet up around arts and culture in the region? Drop us a line at [email protected]. Got an arts idea you want to pitch KUOW? Email us at [email protected] Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here! Become a KUOW member today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Me Here listeners, if you still don't have any plans for this weekend, fear not. The Weekend Warmup is here to help with a whole bunch of ideas for fun things to do around the region this weekend. Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows. LINKS: The 29th Annual Model Train Festival - Washington State Historical Society Opens Fri 12/19 - runs through Jan 1, 2026 2025 Winter Beer Fest – WA Brewers Guild Fri/Sat - 12/19-20 Hell’s Belles at the Croc Sat 12/20 United Indians Native Art Market » United Indians of All Tribes Foundation - Daybreak Star Sat/Sun - 12/20-21 Seattle Torrent vs Boston Fleet Sun 12/21 - 2pm Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When you visit an art museum, you are the VIP. At least according to art curator and Schmidt Ocean Institute artist-at-sea-manager, Haley Ha. She says the people who work behind the scenes at art museums care enormously about visitors and their experiences. One result from all that work? Haley says art museums are places where you slow down, enjoy yourself, and connect with yourself or with friends. Haley also gives us the inside scoop about three of her favorite pieces at the Seattle Asian Art Museum, where she previously worked. They include a deeply moving sculpture in SAAM's entryway by Kondo Takahiro, Park Young-sook's Moon Jar (which counts among its superfans a member of the K-Pop boy band BTS), and Ai Weiwei's Water Lilies, a 50-foot-long mural made entirely of Legos. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meet Me Here listeners, if you still don't have any plans for this weekend, fear not. The Weekend Warmup is here to help with a whole bunch of ideas for fun things to do around the region this weekend. Hosted by KUOW's Jason Megatron Burrows. LINKS: SPORTS! Seahawks vs Indianapolis Colts - Sun 1:25pm Buffalo Sabres at Seattle Kraken - Sun 5pm Seattle Torrent vs Ottawa Charge - Wed 7pm WildLanterns: Night Owls (21+) - Fri 12/12 Mozart & Mutts: Annual Holiday Concert - Fri 12/12 Jurassic Quest | Washington State Fairgrounds The Naughty Novel Social Club: Krampus Edition DEAF SANTA CLAUS - Sun 12/14 Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/meet Meet Me Here is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Books are the best gift you can give. And this holiday season, our book besties are recommending their favorites of this year and more. Host Katie Campbell opens the mail bag with KUOW producer Brandi Fullwood to find out which books you'll want to give this year… and maybe a few you’ll want to keep for yourself. Here's a list of some the books our book besties recommend this year: To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor I'll Make a Spectacle of You by Beatrice Winifred Iker Archangels of Funk by Andrea Hairston Hild by Nicola Griffith Horsefly by Mireille Gagné Milk Fed by Melissa Broder Looking for even more recommendations? Check out Katie Campbell's write up on KUOW.org: https://www.kuow.org/stories/holiday-gift-guide-books-ditch-gift-cards-gimmicks-seattle-readers Your support helps create shows like Seattle Now, Soundside, and Meet Me Here! Become a KUOW member today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.