Augie T What\’s da Scoops

What\’s happening with Augie T

On Oʻahu, everybody knows one guy like this: the one who can make the whole room laugh, then turn around and show up at a community meeting ready to grind through the hard stuff. For Hawaiʻi, that guy is Augie Tulba—better known on stage as Augie T—a comedian with deep local roots who now carries a second microphone in public life as a Honolulu City Councilmember for District 9.

If you’ve been following Hawaiʻi comedy since the 1990s, you’ve probably heard Augie’s name long before you ever heard his title. He came up in the era when stand-up across the islands was becoming its own lane—local stories, local rhythm, local punchlines that hit different if you grew up here. Augie built a career out of that vibe: real talk, quick wit, and the kind of humor that makes you laugh and nod your head like, “eh, facts.”

But Augie’s path didn’t stop at the stage. Over time, he stepped deeper into community work and public service, taking on roles that weren’t about applause—work connected to government and outreach, including youth-focused efforts. That mix—comedian and community guy—eventually turned into something bigger: elected office.

Today, Augie represents Honolulu City Council District 9, which includes areas like Waipahū, Iroquois Point, West Loch, ʻEwa Villages, and parts of ʻEwa Beach. He was first elected in 2020 and then re-elected in 2024, serving the 2025–2029 term. And for people who only know him from comedy, it can be surprising at first—until you remember that the best comedians are already doing a kind of public service. They pay attention. They listen. They translate what the community is feeling into something everybody can understand.

On the Council side, Augie’s work is tied to the real-world issues that affect families every day. His roles include leadership responsibilities on key committees—work that touches public safety, local economy, and the ongoing challenges around housing and homelessness. It’s not the kind of job where you can coast. It’s meetings, policy, budgets, long hours, and taking heat when things get controversial. It’s representing the people who put you there, even when the conversations get uncomfortable.

And yet—Augie never fully left the stage.

Back in 2019, he’d framed his comedy run as a kind of “last stand.” Plenty folks assumed that was it: comedy chapter closed, public office chapter opened. But as many of you already noticed, Augie found a way to return—balancing the suit-and-tie responsibilities with the island-style storyteller energy that made him who he is. That return matters, because for a lot of local people, comedy isn’t just entertainment. It’s stress relief. It’s community therapy. It’s the one place we can talk about heavy things—politics, struggle, pride, identity—without getting crushed by it.

That’s where the “Comedy With a Cause” vibe comes in. Augie’s show world isn’t only about punchlines. It’s also tied to community impact, including a connection to B.R.A.V.E. Hawaiʻi, an anti-bullying nonprofit founded by Mahealani Sims-Tulba. In other words: laugh, yes—but also lift somebody up. That’s a very Hawaiʻi way to do it. We don’t just throw party for party’s sake; we try make it mean something.

For 9th Island Hawaiʻi readers in Las Vegas, this is the part that hits home: Augie’s story is the story of Hawaiʻi people wherever we go. We carry our culture, our humor, our responsibility. Even when we move away, we still want that local connection—the kind you can’t replace with mainland “comedy club” energy. Hawaiʻi comedy is its own thing. The references, the cadence, the unspoken understanding. It’s why so many Hawaiʻi folks in Vegas will fly home for the right show—or pack out a venue when island entertainers come through town.

And right now, Augie’s performance calendar shows he’s still doing what he does best—bringing people together through laughter.

One headline event coming up is a Comedy Night featuring Andy Bumatai & Augie T at Kahilu Theatre, scheduled for February 28, 2026 (7:00pm). If you know, you know: Andy Bumatai is a legend, and pairing him with Augie is basically a guaranteed night of local-style comedy that feels like family reunion—except everyone’s cracking up.

Augie’s official show listings also highlight “Comedy With a Cause” dates across Hawaiʻi in April, with stops at places like Aloha Theatre (Friday, April 3), Grand Naniloa Hotel (April 4), Kauaʻi Community College Performing Arts Center (Friday, April 10), and Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall (Saturday, April 11)—with fellow local favorite Bu La‘ia featured on the run. (Heads up for our readers: those listings show the day and date, but not the year on the poster-style schedule—so it’s smart to double-check the final ticket pages before you book flights.)

That right there is the full circle: the comedian who became a councilmember, still standing under the spotlight—using humor to connect—and using his platform to serve.

For Hawaiʻi people living in Las Vegas, Augie’s journey is a reminder that “local” isn’t just a location. It’s a mindset. It’s showing up. It’s laughing through the grind, and still caring about the community when the joke is over. Whether you know him as Augie T from the stage, or Councilmember Tulba from the chambers, the through-line is the same: he’s still talking story with the people.

If you’re planning a trip back home, or you’ve got family on Oʻahu, keep an eye on the venue calendars and Augie’s show page for the latest updates. And if you’re a promoter, community group, or Vegas venue looking to bring Hawaiʻi entertainment to the 9th Island audience, this is exactly the type of story that proves it can work: Hawaiʻi talent isn’t just performances—it’s culture, connection, and community packed into one night.

On da9thisland.com/, we’ll keep highlighting the people who bridge both worlds—Hawaiʻi and Vegas, laughter and leadership, stage lights and city lights. Augie Tulba is one of those bridges. And whether he’s in Waipahū handling District 9 business, or on stage dropping jokes that only locals truly catch, the mission feels familiar:

Keep it real. Show up. And don’t forget to laugh.