The Hawai‘i music scene is having a moment and at the center of it is a new wave of artists who are blending culture, emotion, and good vibes into sounds that travel far beyond the islands. One of those voices is Rappa Nui, a Big Island-raised artist who’s been sharpening his pen since he first discovered poetry in elementary school. With a background rooted in Hawaiian culture, a name that carries history from his middle school days, and a lyrical style that balances realness with rhythm, Rappa Nui is one to watch.
This summer, he dropped a track that feels tailor-made for late-night drives, beach bonfires, and sunsets with someone special. “Airplane Mode” featuring Randin Napeahi of Kanaka Fyah is a vibe from start to finish – bouncy, smooth, and layered with that kind of “new connection” energy that makes you want to hit replay. As we close out summer on this side of the world, it’s a perfect soundtrack to end the season on a high note.
Below is a Q&A to get to know the artist behind the track, dive into the story of Airplane Mode, and talk about what it means to be part of Hawai‘i’s growing wave of Pacific Island music.
For those who may not know you yet, can you please introduce yourself and share a bit about your background?
My name is Kenui, but most people know me as Rappa Nui. I was raised on the Big Island of Hawai‘i and went to Kamehameha Schools, where I was deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture from a young age. I started writing poetry back in elementary school — that’s where my love for words began. Everything changed when I saw the movie 8 Mile — after that, I was battle rapping in middle school, just playing with flow and punchlines. By high school, I found myself in the studio with other Big Island artists, and I recorded my first few songs. When they dropped the next day and people heard me for the first time, the response was crazy — that feeling lit a fire in me. I’ve never stopped since.
Where did the name “Rappa Nui” come from? What does it mean to you now, years into your journey?
Back in middle school through high school, I used to go to a lot of church camps. At one of the camps, they had a talent show, and I jumped up and spit a full three-minute rap in front of everyone. The crowd was lit — all good energy. One of the kids called me “Lil Flip” as a joke, but I wasn’t really feeling that name. Then one of the camp leaders stood up and shouted, “Nah, that’s Rapper Nui!” — and it had a ring to it. I liked how it sounded, but I wanted to give it more of an island vibe, so I flipped “Rapper” to “Rappa” — and that’s how Rappa Nui was born. Since then, it’s become who I am. People been calling me Rappa Nui since middle school — some don’t even realize my real name is Kenui. At this point, it’s not just a name… Rappa Nui is me.
Can you describe the moment or experience that made you realize music was more than just a passion, but your path?
I fell in love with writing the moment I first put pen to pad in elementary school. I started with poetry, and from early on, I knew I wanted to be some kind of writer. One of my dream careers as a kid was to be a poetic author — someone who writes books that really speak to people. Writing has always been a part of me. It’s not just something I do — it’s who I am. But I knew music was my path when I started dropping songs back in high school. The feedback, the energy, the way people connected with my lyrics and my thoughts — I fell in love with that feeling. I fed off of it. That moment of being heard and felt… that’s when I knew this wasn’t just a hobby. So I kept going. And I’m still here — still pushing.
What do you hope people feel when they listen to your music, not just this song, but your catalog as a whole?
I hope they feel what I felt when I wrote the lyrics. I hope the emotions, the stories, and the energy behind each song come through in a way that people can connect with. Whether it’s pain, joy, love, or growth — I want listeners to feel seen, like the music is speaking to something real in their own lives. I hope they relate. And more than anything, I hope it makes them want to hear more — to keep riding with me on this journey.
The Drop: “Airplane Mode” featuring Randin Napeahi
“Airplane Mode” is a whole mood. What inspired the song and what message or energy were you hoping to capture?
I’m a lover at heart. I love to love, and I love to feel love. For some reason, those emotions — especially in the early stages — are when writing comes easiest for me. “Airplane Mode” was inspired by a new connection… that talking stage, the honeymoon phase where the butterflies are real and everything feels fresh. That energy sparked the whole vibe. What I wanted people to feel when they heard the song was exactly that — that light, bouncy, happy kind of love. The type of feeling you don’t find every day. Love can be hard to come by, and when you’re in a moment like that, it’s something to cherish. That’s the feeling I tried to capture — and I hope people feel it too when they press play.
How did the collaboration with Randin Napeahi of Kanaka Fyah come about? What made you want him specifically on this record?
Honestly, it all came together on the fly. I hadn’t recorded in a while, but I was starting to feel that hunger again. I flew to the Big Island to link up with Casey808 — someone I trusted to engineer and help bring the vision to life. I just needed a singer for the hook, and I started thinking about local singers I knew who might be down. Me and Randin didn’t really know each other at the time — I think we had only met once. But for some reason, his name popped into my head. I hit him up, and without hesitation, he pulled up that same day. We created Airplane Mode, vibed out, had some drinks after, and that night was the start of our brotherhood. Now, I can honestly say Ranz is one of my best friends. The music brought us together, but the bond that came from it was something deeper.
There’s a real atmosphere to this track, like it’s calling us to disconnect and be present. Was that intentional? What’s the deeper meaning behind the title, “Airplane Mode”?
Absolutely. These days, we’re all glued to our phones. You go out to eat, people are on their phones. You go out for drinks, same thing. Even when we’re around people we care about, it’s hard to stay present. We’ve gotten so used to being constantly connected that we forget to connect with what’s right in front of us. With Airplane Mode, I wanted to flip that. I wanted the song to be a reminder — to pause, shut out the noise, and just be in the moment with someone. Not just putting your phone on airplane mode, but putting your whole world on pause for a little while. When you’re with someone special, that moment deserves your full attention. That’s what the title really means to me.
What lyric or moment in the song means the most to you personally, and why?
“Said I been waiting around tryna get you up and away,
but you’re a hottie with them options oh you busy all day.
Been a friend for a minute but I feel more than that,
and them losers who been slacking girl I’d give more than that…” That part’s real personal. It’s about being the guy who’s always there — the friend who listens, who’s supportive, who watches her go through the same cycles with dudes who don’t treat her right. And meanwhile, I’m sitting there knowing in my heart I could treat her better than anyone ever has. But I’m stuck in the friend zone. You hold it in, play the role, but inside it hurts. That’s what I poured into those lines — that quiet pain mixed with real love and loyalty.
The Bigger Picture
Pacific Island artists are creating their own wave right now. What does it mean to you to be part of that movement?
It means everything. To be accepted, to be shown love, to be included — it makes me feel like family. Being part of this movement feels like being part of a home that’s constantly growing, a space where we all show love and support to one another. That kind of unity is rare, and it’s powerful. The wave we’re building as Pacific Island artists is only getting stronger, and it’s something that can’t — and won’t — be stopped. I’m proud to be even a small part of it.
Who or what inspires you within music, but also outside of it?
My little siblings inspire me every day. I want them to be proud of me — I want them to brag to their friends like, “That’s my brother.” My mom also inspires me, even though in the beginning she didn’t believe this was realistic. She told me to stop chasing dreams and think about something more stable. Hearing that from my own mom hurt — a lot. But instead of letting it break me, it made me push even harder. Not to prove her wrong, but to show her that I could really do it — that I meant what I said. My daughter is one of my biggest inspirations. She’s my biggest fan. I love seeing her light up when she watches me on YouTube or talks about my music with so much excitement. That right there fuels me. And of course, my friends — they keep me going. They’ve been my biggest believers since day one. I’m grateful they’re still here riding with me.
If someone only listened to “Airplane Mode” to get to know you, what do you think it says about you as an artist and person?
I think it shows that I put real thought into my lyrics. Writing has always been one of my strengths, and I take pride in how I tell my story through words. If someone’s first impression of me is through Airplane Mode, I think they’d see that I’m a feel-good, good-vibes type of artist — someone reppin’ the islands with heart. It’s a song you can vibe with, cruise to, or relate to — and that’s what I always try to bring to the music.
What’s next for you? More music on the way? A full project? Shows? What can fans look forward to?
Right now, I’m focused on building my catalog — single by single. I want to keep putting out quality music and growing my following organically until the time is right to start doing shows. So yes, you can definitely expect more singles, more collabs, and a steady flow of new music from me. I’m just getting started.
For Fun
Complete this sentence: “Making music is like therapy — it helps me say the things I don’t always know how to say out loud
Finish off with this, what do you want your legacy as an artist to be?
I want to be remembered as an artist who always kept it real — someone who spoke from the heart and gave people something to feel and relate to.
This is your moment, your spotlight. Is there anything else you’d like to share, speak on, or highlight that we haven’t touched on? Anything at all.
Thank you to everyone who shows love and continues to support. Whether you’ve been rocking with me from the start or just tapped in, I appreciate you more than words can say. To everyone who’s been there — from helping me in the studio to just being part of my journey — I love you all. And lastly, rest in love to the godfather of island reggae music, FIJI. Without you, this vibe, this feeling, this love that brings all of us Polynesians together… it wouldn’t be here. You paved the way. We love you, Fiji.
With Airplane Mode, Rappa Nui delivers more than just a summer anthem, he delivers a reminder to pause, disconnect, and be present with the moments and people who matter most. His music is rooted in honesty, emotion, and an island-grown energy that resonates far beyond Hawai‘i’s shores.
As the Pacific Island music scene continues to build momentum, artists like Rappa Nui are proving that this movement isn’t just a wave, it’s a tide that’s here to stay. And if Airplane Mode is any indication, Rappa Nui is just getting started.
