DJ Lulú Solares is bringing her long-running "Mundo Reggae" show to Hawai'i Public Radio's new nighttime lineup, After Hours. In an interview with The Conversation, she discussed her journey into reggae music and plans to highlight fresh releases and female artists in the genre. The program airs Fridays from 10 p.m. to midnight on HPR-1.
Hawai'i Public Radio has launched "After Hours," a weekday nighttime music program airing from 10 p.m. to midnight on HPR-1. The show features five hosts, each curating distinct genres such as funk, jazz, Pasifika, and electronic soul music. On Fridays, Lulú Solares takes the helm with "Mundo Reggae," a segment she has hosted for nearly two decades.
Solares first encountered reggae around age 11, influenced by family and friends' music in an area with beach tourism similar to Hawaiʻi. She recalled, "I used to listen to my sister's music, to my dad's music, my friend's music. And one day, I give my playlist to one friend, and he's like, 'Oh, you like reggae.'" Her early exposure included covers by artists like Shaggy and Sean Paul, which sparked debates with her father about the genre's novelty.
Her radio career began during university studies in communications. A school station opportunity evolved into broader AM, TV, and FM segments, shaping her as a DJ and promoter. Solares aimed to spotlight contemporary reggae beyond traditional roots music from sources like San Diego stations. She noted the genre's evolving styles and a rising presence of women as DJs, singers, and producers.
In Hawaiʻi, where she was the first woman to spin reggae, Solares started workshops for female DJs, teaching basics to about 80 students, some weekly. She seeks to build a local movement within the global community. For After Hours, she plans two hours of education on new tracks, producers, albums, and formats like digital, cassette, or vinyl. A special Valentine's Day-themed episode on love and reggae is set for the upcoming Friday.
The interview aired on The Conversation on February 12, 2026, with Solares expressing excitement: "I'm beyond blessed to be the one to be sharing this space."
