S2 | EP 4: Painting the Past, Healing the Future ~ Inside the Heart of Prime Hina

“We’re not just painting walls. We’re locking in the DNA, the mana, and the stories of the community.”  ~ John "Prime" Hina

Get ready for "Prime Time!" In this powerful, laughter-filled, chicken-skin conversation, Amy, Erin, and Shareen sit with renowned graffiti artist, philosopher, farmer, and storyteller John “Prime” Hina, founder of 808 Urban and Dear Love Story.

From tagging his first bedroom wall in the 1980s to building one of Hawaiʻi’s most influential community art movements, Prime shares the unexpected path that transformed an outlaw art form into a vessel for culture, healing, and connection. He takes us deep into 808 Urban’s signature mural process (manalima, pilialoha, moʻokāpala, and moʻolelo) and explains how every handprint, every drop of water, and every story woven into a wall carries the DNA of its people.

Prime reflects on fatherhood, the moment his keiki “discovered” tagging, and the decision that reignited his artistic purpose. He opens his heart about legacy, lōkahi, microbes, Hawaiian knowledge, Korean Natural Farming, and his newest body of work with Dear Love Story, including his innovative, culturally grounded “lei” art series, community-driven coloring books, and a commitment to documenting stories for future generations.

“People see a pretty mural. The community sees generations of moʻolelo in color.” 

This episode reminds us that art is more than a picture, it’s a living process, a sacred space, and a bridge between ancestors and keiki. And as always, Prime brings the humor, the truth, and the deep wisdom only a master storyteller can deliver.

Witness Prime's incredible impact in our world at https://www.808urban.org/ and https://dearlovestory.com

Connect with your Inspired by Aloha (IBA) crew! We look forward to hearing from you!
Instagram: @inspiredbyaloha808
Email: inspiredbyaloha808@gmail.com