The Maui No Ka Oi Magazine & SilverShark Media podcast: Recent Episodes
Jason Evans
Maui No Ka Oi Magazine and SilverShark Media bring you stories with community leaders, industry experts, and small business owners on the island of Maui.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Deron & Kit Furukawa, co-owners of Maui Chili Chili Oil. In this podcast Deron & Kit talk about what their product is, the inspiration behind launching the business, how they left their tradition career backgrounds to start this business, getting their big break at the Made In Maui festival, the time frame starting with when they created the first recipe to getting products in stores, using their social media to pull back the curtain on running a small business, challenges they've had to overcome while growing the company, developing different variations of products, how Mana Up Hawaii helped them to scale up, working together as a husband & wife team, and where people can buy their products or learn more about Maui Chili Chili Oil online.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Peter Merriman, Executive Chef & Restaurateur with Merriman's Kapalua, Monkeypod Kitchen, & Ulu Kitchen. In this podcast Peter talks about when to make changes on restaurants that have continued success such as Merriman's and Monkeypod, what defines a great guest experience, whether he can dine at his own restaurants as a customer or does work always creep into his mind, what went into opening Ulu Kitchen at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa in 2024, how a resort property can differ from an independent location, determining where a new menu item fits amongst the different restaurants, business lessons from the recovery in the pandemic that came to mind after the 2023 fires, his take on the restaurant industry in Maui currently and whether that differs statewide, industry challenges such as staffing and fish supply, supporting ag partners through ups and downs, the importance of affordable housing to the Maui workforce, what encourages him currently about the industry in Maui, sustainability initiatives such as using high quality boxed wine to reduce the amount of glass bottles that are discarded, goals for the future including the opening of a new restaurant in south Maui in 2026, and his advice to anyone looking to open a restaurant in Maui in the next year.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Richard Elliott, General Manager of the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. In this podcast Richard talks about his background growing up in Jamaica, eventually moving to Chicago where he got his first job with a hotel property, when he realized there would be potential for a career in the hospitality industry, his path to becoming a general manager, the value of networking, the similarities and differences working with properties in city locations vs tropical locations, his goals when taking over as GM at Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort in 2024, lessons he has learned over the years that have helped him deal with new industry challenges that pop up, the importance of giving back to the community, a few examples of experiences currently being offered to guests at the property, and his advice to anyone looking to start a career in hospitality.
Diane Woodburn speaks to Stephanie Mallek, CEO and co-owner of Kula Lodge. In this podcast Stephanie talks about dealing with the recent fire at Kula Lodge, the history of the property, her father Simon Vodjani's experience in the restaurant industry, an update on the damage that was done to the restaurant, how a small part of the interior was salvaged by a local firefighter, the impact of the fire on employees, the process of rebuilding, her vision for the future of Kula Lodge, how the property will offer a food trailer in the meantime for guests to experience, and a message for the community that has supported the Kula Lodge over the years.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Daryl Fujiwara, Event Coordinator for the Festivals of Aloha. In this podcast Daryl talks about the history of Festivals of Aloha, the logistics behind putting on these events, the importance of communication while planning a festival series like this, a rundown of the two-month long event series starting with First Friday in Wailuku on September 5th and running each weekend until October 26th, the venues involved that include events in Wailuku, Kahului, Kapalua, Wailea, Makawao, Hana, Lanai, & Molokai, the cultural importance behind certain events such as the falsetto contests, hula performances, & paniolo rodeo, and how people can learn more about the Festivals of Aloha including a calendar of events.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to David Gridley & Maria McMillan about the upcoming 2025 Seed To Cup Coffee Festival on August 10th. In this podcast David & Maria talk about how they first got involved working in the coffee industry, how the Maui Coffee Association supports local coffee growers and producers, how David founded Maui Oma Coffee Roasting Company and Maria took over in 2018 when he retired, the challenges the industry has faced over the years for Maui coffee growers, what to expect at the upcoming 2025 Seed To Cup Festival, a rundown of events including coffee workshops and a barista throw-down, the legacy of Ancil Clancy to the Maui community, and how David and Maria describe their perfect cup of coffee.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Jayson Asuncion, Executive Chef at the Royal Lahaina Resort. In this podcast Jayson talks about his first culinary influences while growing up in Lahaina, moving to the west coast for culinary school and his first jobs in the industry, when he realized this was the career path he wanted to pursue, working for both independent restaurants and resort properties, what led to his move back to Maui, how he's seen the food scene evolve on Maui over the past few decades, the inspiration behind opening a food truck, the importance of communication in the industry, joining the team at Royal Lahaina Resort in 2019, what went into the menu design at the Lahaina Noon restaurant at the Royal Lahaina Resort, the inspiration behind the name Lahaina Noon, items on the menu that a first time diner should try, the expanded options at the nearby Pineapple Moon poolside bar, the importance of sourcing local ingredients, how the kitchen has implemented an energy efficient ventilation system, the upcoming Hawaii Food & Wine Festival event that will be hosted at the Royal Lahaina Resort on October 26th, and his advice for younger chefs looking to work their way up in the culinary industry.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Erica Erickson, founder of Da Beehive store in Paia & the Maui Honey Bee Sanctuary. In this podcast Erica talks about how she got into working with bees, going from weekly swap meet sales to opening a store in Paia, the challenges getting the store opened up, what types of bee products are available, why Maui is an optimal location for bees, why she opened up a bee sanctuary upcountry, the types of tours and experiences offered at the sanctuary, misconceptions about bees, how many bees she typically has on site, why the sanctuary is great for school field trips, how much honey the bees can produce, the importance of bees in our ecosystems, some of the challenges working in the agriculture industry, her advice to anyone looking to get into an ag related job, what she recommends to first time visitors to Da Beehive store, the favorite part of her job, and how people can learn more about Da Beehive and the Maui Honey Bee Sanctuary.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Owen Campbell, CEO & Co-owner of Mana Recovery Center. In this podcast Owen talks about the mission of Mana Recovery Center, the inspiration behind starting Mana Recovery Center, what needed to be in place to open Mana Recovery Center, different addiction treatment options offered to the community, the most rewarding part of his job, his advice for overcoming the stigma of needing help to treat addiction, goals for the future for Mana Recovery Center, & how people can learn more about Mana Recovery Center.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Ryan Luckey, Executive Chef at The Pint & Cork. In this podcast Ryan talks about his family ties to Lahaina, how his grandfather and father were involved with The Carthaginian II replica whaling ship in Lahaina, his culinary influences growing up, his first jobs in the culinary industry, his career path at different stops across West Maui, the differences in working with a resort restaurant vs independent restaurants, how he's seen the culinary industry evolve on Maui during his career, how he's overcome the feeling of burnout as a chef, how The Pint & Cork has helped to reinvigorate him in the kitchen, the approach to the menu design at The Pint & Cork, his support of local agriculture that led to winning the 2025 Friend of Ag award at the Aipono Awards, how The Pint & Cork does not use heat lamps for food, what he sees currently as some of the bigger challenges for the culinary industry, goals looking ahead for The Pint & Cork, and his advice for younger chefs looking to advance their career.
Diane Woodburn speaks to Jeremy Solyn, Chef/Owner of NyloS located in Paia. In this podcast Jeremy talks about his first job in culinary industry working in the Hamptons as an 18 year old, his career path that eventually brought him to Maui, what it was like to be the recipient of Best Chef's Table at the 2025 Aipono Awards, what guests can expect to experience at a NyloS dinner, how he worked through the economic downturns with the pandemic and Maui fires, dealing with some of the current industry challenges, how people can book a reservation at NyloS, and his advice for younger chefs.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Ryan Cruz, Executive Chef at Hotel Wailea. In this podcast Ryan talks about dropping out of business school to change his career path to the culinary industry, why fried shrimp brings up special family memories growing up, how he started on his culinary path, how public speaking classes from his business course help with his current career, lessons he learned early on in his days working with Wolfgang Puck restaurants, how his career took him around the world from LA to London to Istanbul to New York and then back to Maui, the approach to menu design at Hotel Wailea, how designing a prix fixe menu at The Restaurant at Hotel Wailea differs from an a la carte menu for the Birdcage at Hotel Wailea, the private dining options at Hotel Wailea including The Kitchen Table, how guests can attend a special culinary event on Friday May 30th at The Restaurant with Chef Ryan Cruz joined by Chef Zach Laidlaw of Hua Momona Farms, and his advice to younger chefs.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Zach Sato, Chef/Owner of Havens Harborside Fish & Chophouse & Havens Kahului Food Truck. In this podcast Zach talks about how he got his start in the restaurant industry, his favorite family dishes growing up, advancing his career once he became a chef, the decision to open his first restaurant, how the pandemic forced him to pivot on his plans, running his own restaurant vs working as a chef in an existing restaurant, the decision to launch the food truck in Kahului, the approach to menu design for his different locations, opening Havens Harborside Fish & Chophouse, navigating the challenges after the fires in 2023, jumping into action right away to help provide food to the local community after the fires, what it was like to win the 2025 Aipono Award for Chef of the Year, opening a new food truck focused on subs and sandwiches later in May, & how people can learn more about the different Havens restaurants.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Rhonda Alexander-Monkres, Executive Director of the Ho'ōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long Term Recovery Group. In this podcast Rhonda talks about the mission of the organization, bringing together various nonprofits and community leaders to help streamline recovery efforts, how the group supports different recovery needs, working on the challenge of rebuilding owner occupied housing, the importance of flexibility when trying to overcome challenges during the recovery process, the importance of having community led leadership, how people can get involved if they want to support the organization, how people can find out if they qualify for additional support, and the goals for the next stages of the recovery effort.
Diane Woodburn speaks to GM Josh Hargrove & Hotel Manager Selawe Tau of the Westin Maui Resort and Spa and chair of the 46th annual Maui Charity Walk. In this podcast Josh & Selawe talk about their career paths, the history of the Charity Walk, why the event is important for the Maui community, the goal this year for Maui to raise $2M for local nonprofit organizations, what the role of chair entails for an event of this scale, how people can get involved to either enter a team or donate money, the details for the May 10th event including food & music on site, what makes them most proud to work on an event like this, & their advice for a young person who may want to start a career in the hospitality industry.
Here is the link mentioned during the podcast that will give more information about how to get involved with the 2025 Maui Charity Walk
https://mauihla.org/events/charity-walk-maui
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks Meli James, co-founder of Mana Up. In this podcast Meli talks about what Mana Up does, the inspiration behind launching the company, the process going from the initial business idea to the first day of company operations, initial challenges the company had to overcome, ways that Mana Up helps local businesses, examples of Maui businesses that have grown with the support of Mana Up, how pop-up Aloha Markets like the current one at Haneda Airport in Japan help to promote local businesses outside of Hawaii, goals for the future, her advice to small businesses that are in the early stages (or people looking to launch a small business in the near future), and how people can learn more about Mana Up.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Kyle Fleming, co-founder & head brewer at Pauwela Beverage Company. In this podcast Kyle talks about brewing fermented beverages like Kombucha, differences in brewing kombucha vs beer, Kyle’s background that led to this career, starting the business in January of 2020 and having to immediately adapt to the pandemic, their biggest challenge getting the business started, sourcing ingredients from local Maui farms, what was needed to scale up distribution, advice he would give himself 5 years ago when he started the business, what people can expect from visiting the taproom in Haiku, goals for the future, and how to find out more about Pauwela online or in person.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Alexa Caskey, owner of Moku Roots. In this podcast Alexa talks about her culinary influences growing up, when she made the decision to adopt a vegan diet, misconceptions people commonly have about vegan food, going from an engineering background to opening her first restaurant, the biggest challenge leading up to opening Moku Roots Lahaina in 2018, learning to be more efficient as a business during the pandemic, why a zero waste approach for a restaurant is important, the new chapter of Moku Roots up in Kula that includes farm events like dinners and brunches, the type of menu people can expect at a Moku Roots event, the creativity of vegan menus with ingredients sourced directly from the farm, the importance of agritourism, and how people can learn more and/or visit Moku Roots.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Isaac Bancaco, VP of Operations for Koholā Brewery. In this podcast Isaac talks about his first culinary inspirations, his favorite dish to make with his grandmother, his career path in the culinary industry, what he learned from mentors like Ming Tsai and Roy Yamaguchi, evolving his career beyond the role of an executive chef, how the restaurant industry prepares people for any career, how he splits time within different parts of the business, how he approached the menu design, the value of working with successful business leaders, challenges the restaurant industry has been going through both nationally and locally, the importance of treating employees well, what to expect at Koholā on February 9th for the Super Bowl, and some of his favorite things he’d recommend for Saquan Barkley or any guest to Koholā to order off the food menu.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Max Novena, Executive Director of the Sentry PGA golf tournament. In this podcast Max talks about his first introduction to golf, what inspired him to pursue a career in sports, his experience working with major sports leagues like the NBA & NHL, details for the upcoming Sentry PGA Tournament held at the Plantation course in Kapalua from January 2nd-5th, why community engagement and impact is a top priority for the Sentry, a few examples of ways the Sentry has supported local organizations on Maui, some names to watch in this years tournament, how people can volunteer during the event, the different ticket options including Kama'aina rates, and where to find out more online about the event week.
Diane Woodburn talks to Taylor Ponte, Executive Chef of Aurum Maui (opening in 2025). In this podcast Taylor talks about his culinary path, key lessons he learned from mentors along the way, opening the new restaurant Aurum Maui at the Shops at Wailea in the first half of 2025, his approach to creating a menu, why he first decided to get into the culinary industry, how he met his wife who also is his business partner, his advice for couples looking to start a restaurant together (or any business), his advice to younger chefs hoping to work their way up, and how people can follow Taylor on social media to learn more about both his catering and Aurum Maui in 2025.
Diane Woodburn speaks to Ryan Urig, Executive Chef at the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort. In this podcast Ryan talks about how he started his career on Maui, his time working at the Ritz-Carlton Maui at Kapalua, approaching his 10 year anniversary of working at the Grand Wailea Resort, the inspiration behind Olivine which is one of the properties signature restaurants, the types of dishes guests can expect at Olivine, working together with other chefs and community leaders after the 2023 fires to provide meals to those in need, how his community work over the years has been one of his career highlights, additional culinary options that guests can experience on property at the resort, his advice for younger chefs getting into the hospitality industry, and some of his favorite things on the Olivine menu to try if you're coming in for the first time.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Dustin Paradis of the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. In this podcast Dustin talks about what the MOCMI does, his career path that led him to this role, the work they do to protect and grow local corals, the sea turtle stranding response & rescue program that helps turtles in need across the island, the importance of community engagement to make these programs more impactful, and how people can get involved to either volunteer or make a donation.
The hotline Dustin mentions for the sea turtle response and rescue program is (808) 286-2549
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Chef Alvin Savella and GM Rob Farrell of Coco Deck Lahaina. In this podcast Alvin & Rob talk about their first jobs in a restaurant and how their career paths eventually intersected, why they decided to partner together on a new restaurant, the phases that led to opening Coco Deck in September of 2024, Alvin's approach to creating the food menu & Rob's approach to creating the bar menu, the importance of sourcing locally when possible, 3 things each of them would recommend to first time guests, why the happy hour has become so popular, the football Sunday menu, the upcoming supper club that will be featured each Wednesday, lessons learned from the pandemic that are similar to the current economic recovery, advice to anyone looking to go into a business partnership with a friend or family member, and how people can learn more about Coco Deck Lahaina.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Naomi Cooper, Interim Executive Director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association. In this podcast Naomi talks about her career path that led to her current position, the main goal of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, the importance of connecting local businesses in an island economy, how the approach of the MHLA has changed through the pandemic and fire recovery, how the MHLA offers scholarship and educational opportunities in local schools, the success of the annual Charity Walk and how that money raised is distributed back into the Maui community, details on the upcoming Rice for the Holidays & Na Kupuna Appreciation events, and how to learn more about the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association online.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Anna Kahalekulu, owner & designer of Kūlua, a sustainable clothing store located in Makawao. In this podcast Anna explains the approach of Kūlua, her inspiration for opening the business, how the store keeps manufacturing on Maui, what gave her the confidence as an entrepreneur to take the business from an idea to a storefront, navigating through the pandemic in 2020 shortly after opening a store in Makawao, integrating culture and family in her designs, what it's like to see people wear her products, the importance of supporting Maui businesses, ways Kūlua has given back to the community, her advice for anyone looking to get into the fashion industry, what it was like to do a collaboration with popular fashion brand Faherty, and how people can find out more about Kūlua both online and in person.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Dr. Lisa Labrecque, CEO of the Maui Humane Society. In this podcast Lisa talks about her path to becoming CEO, some of the differences between private veterinary care and working with an animal shelter, challenges for pet owners in Maui, becoming CEO in June of 2023 and then having to navigate the organization through the August fires, some of the new programs the MHS is offering including the Lahaina Pet Resource Center, how people can get involved with the animal foster program, how residents can qualify for pet related financial support along with additional pet resources, how residents and visitors can volunteer, simplifying the adoption process for visitors who want to adopt a pet to take with them, upcoming fundraising events, & her advice for anyone looking to have a career in this field.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Tina Carranza, Fundraising Director at the Hua Momona Foundation. In this podcast Tina talks about how the Hua Momona Foundation first started in 2021, how she got involved with the organization, providing food to the Maui community through the pandemic and the 2023 fires, what goes into organizing large scale food distribution, some of the challenges that come with keeping a nonprofit running smoothly, details for the upcoming 1st annual Maui Food & Music Experience that is taking place September 5th-7th, how people can get tickets to the event, how local residents impacted by the fires can gain free access to the concert day, the goals for the foundation for the remainder of the year, how people can get involved to volunteer or support the Hua Momona Foundation, what she’d like visitors to know about coming to Maui a year after the fires, and how people can learn more about the Hua Momona Foundation on social media & their websites.
The event websites Tina mentioned for tickets can be found below
www.mauimusicandfoodexperience.org
https://makai.org/freetickets/
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Scott Fisher, Director of ʻĀina Stewardship at Hawai'i Land Trust. In this podcast Scott talks about what the Hawai'i Land Trust does, the type of lands they look to acquire and/or manage, challenges that come with protecting land in locations with on-going development, the work they are doing to restore a freshwater fishpond originally built around 1500 or so in Waihe'e, an ongoing project at the Nuʻu Refuge in Kaupō aiming to restore a native forest designed to protect coastal wetlands from tsunami events, how people can volunteer to work with Hawai'i Land Trust, and additional ways to learn more and get involved.
Diane Woodburn speaks to Nicky Boskoff, Food & Beverage Director of Star Noodle, Aloha Mixed Plate, & Leoda's. In this podcast Nicky talks about ways the Na Hoaloha 'Ekolu restaurant group provided support to their staff and community, her background growing up on Maui and Kauai, how she first got into the restaurant industry, the original concept for Star Noodle when it first opened in 2010, the dedication of Executive Chef Caesar Perez, the menu approach to Star Noodle, opening in a new location, opening Aloha Mixed Plate nearby, new items that are coming to the Star Noodle menu, the difference in navigating through covid vs the current recovery, and ways visitors can be respectful to employees and community members they come across during their travels.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to David Gridley of the Maui Coffee Association. In this podcast David talks about how he first got involved with the coffee industry around 30 years ago, helping to organize coffee growers and roasters on Maui in the early 2000's, challenges the industry faced on Maui when he first opened Maui Oma Coffee Roasting Company, how the Maui Coffee Association helps to support the local Maui coffee industry, the time needed to grow and produce coffee, some differences in Kona coffee and Maui coffee, how new legislation will change how coffee is labeled in the future in Hawaii, why it's important to support the local coffee industry, how the Maui Coffee Association provides educational tools for current and prospective coffee growers, details about the upcoming Seed To Cup event on Sunday August 18th at Maui Tropical Plantation, & what goes into David's perfect cup of coffee.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Singer / Songwriter Anuhea. In this podcast Anuhea talks about her first introductions to playing musical instruments while growing up on Maui, how her Aunt was an early inspiration, what led to her performing in public for the first time, what it was like to release her first album in 2009, the process of narrowing down how many songs will make an album, winning Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards in 2009 & 2019, how she has grown as an artist since her first album, what advice she would give her younger self, wrapping up her 2024 summer tour highlighted by her newer release “Lotus”, why she became an advocate for mental health, and details on her upcoming performance Friday August 2nd at the Alaloa Lounge in the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua from 6p-9p (free entry).
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Sean Corpuel, owner of Cool Cat Cafe. In this podcast Sean talks about his first exposure to the restaurant industry helping his dad run a small burger shack, how that eventually became his career path, opening the first Cool Cat Cafe in California, the decision to open a Cool Cat Cafe in Lahaina back in 2003, challenges in getting the original wharf location opened up, his approach to menu design, how the restaurant immersed itself in the Maui community, continuing the family business with his kids, the inspiration to open Captain Jack's at the wharf after the success of Cool Cats, the initial aftermath of the August fires, the decision and process that went into reopening Cool Cat Cafe in Kihei, what to expect from the south side menu, bringing a new Captain Jack's location back to west Maui, & lessons he learned in his teens about the industry that still resonate today.
Diane Woodburn speaks to Tetsuji (Tets) Yamazaki, GM of the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. In this podcast Tets talks about what brought him to Maui 30 years ago, his path from working as a dishwasher to becoming a general manager, how the Sheraton was an integral part of disaster response last August, how the economic recovery from the August fires differs from the recovery during the pandemic, the history of the Sheraton property which was one of the first resorts to open on Maui, the upcoming Kokua For Maui event on July 5th that will showcase Lahaina businesses, his message to visitors who are contemplating a trip to Maui, goals for the remainder of 2024, and his advice to anyone looking to advance their career in the hospitality industry.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Jo Wing, General Manager of O'o Farm. In this podcast Jo talks about the history of O'o Farm, her background in agriculture that took her from New Zealand to Napa and eventually to Maui, what her role as a GM entails, how coffee has become one of the staple products grown at O'o Farm, the challenges of growing coffee, other products that the farm produces, the different types of farm tour experiences offered to anyone who wants to visit O'o Farm, how agriculture and tourism continue to intersect, goals for the farm, and how to learn more about O'o Farm including CSA subscriptions, volunteering, or visiting the farm.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Paul Turner, owner of Waikulu Distillery in Makawao. In this podcast Paul talks about how he first came up with the idea for the distillery, how the Maui climate is ideal for agave plants, the challenges of turning an idea from a hobby into a business, the comparison between agave spirits and tequila, the types of agave spirits Waikulu produces, how he did not have a background in this industry before starting Waikulu Distillery, the farm tours that are offered on site, how he began distribution across Maui, the origin of the business name, goals for the future, and how to learn more about the business and products they offer.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Charlene Ka'uhane, event organizer of the Maui AgFest and 4H Livestock Fair. In this podcast Charlene talks about why this event is special to her, how it has grown since the first one 15 years ago, the educational sessions that will be available this year focusing on topics like kalo/fish/coffee/cacao, how the event provides guests a chance to learn from industry experts, a preview into the Grand Taste event featuring a number of Maui culinary figures, advice for those who want to attend AgFest on Saturday June 1st, and how people can learn more and buy advance tickets to the special sessions throughout the day.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Mary Anderson, President and Co-owner of Koholā Brewery. In this podcast Mary gives an update on the Koholā team since the August fires, talks about how she went about the next steps for the business last fall, the partnership with Kona Brewing Company that enabled Koholā to resume production, how her business background in Silicon Valley helped in certain aspects of decision making over the past 8 months, the importance of collaboration, the current production output for Koholā beer, opening a new location Wailea that will feature a restaurant and taproom, partnering with chef Isaac Bancaco to design a menu for the new location, a sneak peek at a few of the items that will be on the menu, lessons from the pandemic that helped navigate the current Maui economic environment, and how people can learn more about the opening of the new restaurant and where to buy Koholā products.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Daryl Fujiwara, event coordinator for a number of events on Maui including the upcoming Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pā‘ū Parade and Ho‘olaule‘a on June 15th. In this podcast Daryl talks about how he grew up attending and supporting local events across the island, how he began helping to plan and coordinate events, the importance of collaboration in event planning, what went into planning for the 2024 King Kamehameha Day Parade, how the location this year was selected, how this year will be different, what types of applications the parade is looking at for participants, the upcoming Maui Ag Fest on June 1st, the return of Wailuku First Friday's in July, and the Festivals of Aloha later this year.
Diane Woodburn speaks to Dean Wong, Executive Director of Imua Family Services. In this podcast Dean talks about how Imua Family Services began, services the organization offers, similarities and differences to the Easter Seals foundation, how Imua Family Services provided support to families on Maui after the August fires including providing resources to children of all ages, the importance of the Imua Gardens, why it's important to offer children outlets that get them away from mobile devices for periods of time, the upcoming Color Festival on Sunday April 28th, and how to learn more and provide support to Imua Family Services.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Lipoa Kahaleuahi and Mikala Minn of the nonprofit organization Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike. In this podcast Lipoa begins by talking about what Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike aims to do, what her role as Executive Director entails, the importance of students learning trade skills outside of a classroom setting, the history of the Hana Build program and how it directly benefits the local Hana community, and other programs offered by Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike that help students learn cultural practices and culinary skills. Mikala then joins the podcast to talk about Mahele Farm, how he went from a former student working with Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike to becoming a project leader for the organization decades later, the types of lessons students learn from farming, the products the farm can grow, and how Mahele Farm works together with the community. Lipoa then talks about the goals moving forward for the organization, the upcoming East Maui Kalo Festival on April 20th, and how people can learn more and support Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike.
Jason Evans speaks to Ryan Schelling who is the Executive Chef at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. In this podcast Ryan talks about his first job in the culinary industry, his path with Four Seasons starting as a line cook in 2006, the role of an Executive Chef at a resort property, highlights of the new redesign of Ferraro's, his approach to menu design, how the different restaurants on property compliment each other, some of the ways the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea supported the Maui community last fall including their Love For Lahaina culinary series, his goals for the rest of 2024, and how people can learn more about the new menu at Ferraro's along with the other F&B options on property.
Jason Evans speaks to Master Sommelier Michael Jordan about the upcoming Kapalua Wine & Food Festival happening June 6th-9th, 2024. In this podcast Michael talks about how he became a Master Sommelier, how the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival has evolved over the past few decades, how the festival gives back each year to support local foundations and causes, how giving back this year is as important as ever, what to expect with the 2024 festival event schedule, options for full festival passes or single event tickets, the effort that goes into planning an event like this, and how to learn more about the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival online.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Ed Lyman, Regional Large Whale Entanglement Response Coordinator under NOAA's Marine Mammal Health & Stranding Response Program. In this podcast Ed talks about the work of NOAA Fisheries, his role with the Marine Mammal Health & Stranding Response Program, the recent incident last week with the injured whale calf that was spotted off Ma'alaea, the importance of science communication, how research helped give boat operators a guide for speed out on the water to minimize harmful whale encounters, why individuals shouldn't try to help a whale out on the water and instead call the hotline to report an incident, how this has been a different type of season out on the water, and how people can get involved to support NOAA and the response team.
Hotline to call if you see a whale (or other marine animal) in distress:
888-256-9840 (Toll Free)
Link to the course Ed mentions at 18:55
https://pacific-islands-training.whaledisentanglement.org/#/
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Jeff Scheer, chef/owner of Marlow. In this podcast Jeff talks about the recent renovations at Marlow, what the first two and a half years have been like for the restaurant, how he and his wife Kaili work so well together as co-owners, his advice for anyone looking to start a business with a significant other or family member, his approach to adding new items to a menu, how he and his team worked to support the Maui community after the fires in August, the challenges the industry continues to face with staffing, getting nominated as a semifinalist in the James Beard Awards, his recommendations for anyone visiting Marlow including during breakfast hours, and how people can learn more about the restaurant on social media.
Diane Woodburn speaks with Dena Roady, Area Vice President of Hyatt Hotels Hawaii & General Manager of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. In this episode Dena talks about her path with Hyatt that has spanned 13 properties over 28 years, what an Area Vice President does, how Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is viewed as one of the flagship properties of the Andaz portfolio, what it has been like ascending in the industry as a female, how decisions were made immediately after the August fires for the Hyatt and Andaz properties to provide housing and support to the Maui community, the current balancing act for the hospitality industry as a whole to both continue to provide resources to the Maui community while also working to support tourism revenue, how visitors to Maui can get involved and help the local community, her outlook for 2024 in the industry, how groups like the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association help industry leaders support each other and learn what others may need, and her advice to anyone looking to start a career or work their way up in hospitality.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Joey Macadangdang, chef/owner of the new Balai Pata restaurant in Kahului along with Joey's Kitchen in Napili & Whaler's Village. In this episode Joey talks about the inspiration for opening Balai Pata in Kahului, the flavor profiles of Filipino cuisine, the decision to make this location a brand new restaurant concept instead vs making it a new Joey's Kitchen location, how he constructs a menu for a restaurant, how travel provides inspiration to his dishes, the balance of excitement and nerves when opening a new restaurant, how he immediately provided relief to the community at Joey's Kitchen in Napili following the fires in August, the challenges the restaurant industry continues to face in 2024, his advice to anyone looking to open a restaurant, why he will only add to the menu at Joey's Kitchen and not remove anything, his recommended top 3 dishes to order at Balai Pata and Joey's Kitchen for anyone visiting each restaurant for the first time, and how people can find more information about both restaurants.
This week Jason Evans speaks with Zach Laidlaw of Hua Momona Farms. In this episode Zach talks about his first introduction into the culinary world, making the decision to pursue a career in the industry, his path from Chicago to Hua Momona Farms in Kapalua, the history and approach of Hua Momona Farms, how the farms makes their own soil, the advantage of growing microgreens, the process of getting their product into restaurants across the island, the importance of communication in agriculture, how the farm mobilized to provide relief after the Lahaina fires, lessons learned from the 2020 pandemic that helped make the approach to relief more efficient in 2023, how people can help the ongoing community work that Hua Momona Farms is doing, the benefits and potential of having a mobile commercial kitchen, Zach's appearance on the latest season of Next Level Chef on FOX, and how people can learn more about what Hua Momona Farms is up to and where to follow both the farm and Zach on social media.
We continue our Maui podcast series with the intention of respectfully providing insight into local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders on Maui through what is a very difficult and challenging time. Our thoughts continue to be with our neighbors, friends, community, and colleagues across Maui.
This week Diane Woodburn speaks with Kyle Kawakami of Maui Fresh Streatery. In this episode Kyle talks about what went into his initial response last August to help get food out to community members, how the community support efforts have evolved since August, resuming the Kokua Meals Initiative originally started during Covid that helps get food to community members in need, lessons learned from 2020 that helped make support efforts more efficient in 2023, the challenges restaurants are facing in 2024, details about how to help the ongoing Kokua Meals Initiative, and why it's critical to show respect and compassion to restaurant workers and the entire Maui community.
To donate to the Kokua Meals Initiative that Kyle talks about on the podcast you can send money on Venmo to @Kyle-Kawakami-1
This episode begins the 5th year of our Maui podcast series with the intention of respectfully providing insight into local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders on Maui through what is a very difficult and challenging time. Our thoughts continue to be with our neighbors, friends, community, and colleagues across Maui.
We resume our Maui podcast series with the intention of respectfully providing insight into local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders on Maui through what is a very difficult and challenging time. Our thoughts continue to be with our neighbors, friends, community, and colleagues across Maui.
This week Diane Woodburn speaks with Myra Galinato, Vice President & General Manager at Blue Hawaiian Activities. In this episode Myra talks about her background in the hospitality industry, how Blue Hawaiian Helicopters were able to provide immediate support in the aftermath of the August fires including supply runs to West Maui when the roads were closed, her message to people who are considering a trip to Maui, and her advice to anyone looking to begin a career in the tourism industry.
We resume our Maui podcast series with the intention of respectfully providing insight into local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders on Maui through what is a very difficult and challenging time. Our thoughts continue to be with our neighbors, friends, community, and colleagues across Maui.
This week Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with LiAnne Driessen of Trilogy Excursions. In this podcast LiAnne talks about 2023 marking the 50 year anniversary of Trilogy Excursions, her advice for those involved in a family business, the post-fire community support provided by Trilogy, how guests who cancelled their trips to Maui decided to donate money towards the employees and Maui community, how Trilogy is providing free trips to displaced Maui community members to get them out on the water for a few hours, from a business perspective the similarities and differences of September 2023 vs the early stages of the covid pandemic in 2020, what the future will hold for Trilogy moving forward, and a message to visitors who are debating on when and if to come to Maui.
We resume our Maui podcast series with the intention of respectfully providing insight into local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders on Maui through what is a very difficult and challenging time. Our thoughts continue to be with our neighbors, friends, community, and colleagues across Maui.
This week Diane Woodburn speaks with Stephanie Vojdani & Isa Shipley of Kula Lodge. In this podcast Stephanie & Isa talk about moving from the former 5 Palms Kihei up to the Kula Lodge, the importance behind keeping the charm of this upcountry staple, how they moved to provide immediate support in the aftermath of the August fires, and what the future sense of normalcy will start to look like from a business perspective.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Marc McDowell, the Executive Chef & Owner of SixtyTwo MarcKet. In this episode Marc talks about his introduction into the culinary industry, the path that took him from the Culinary Institute of America in New York to Maui, lessons he learned at different resorts & restaurants he worked at on Maui over the years, what gave him the confidence to branch out and open his own restaurant, what the process was like going from a new restaurant concept to opening the doors, the challenges he faced both pre and post pandemic, his approach to a revolving seasonal menu at SixtyTwo MarcKet, the importance of knowing your farmers, some of his favorite items on the menu, and how to learn more about SixtyTwo MarcKet in Wailuku including hours of operation.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Graeme Swain, owner and founder of Gather In Maui. In this episode Graeme talks about the origins of the Gather restaurant concept, his first introduction into the restaurant industry, what brought him from Jackson Hole to Maui, opening a hydroponics farm in his hometown, taking over the restaurant from what used to be Gannon's, what the transition was like changing the location from Gannon's to Gather In Maui, the approach to the food and bar menu, navigating the challenges of the restaurant industry, and his goals for Gather In Maui in the future.
Diane Woodburn speaks to Paula Hegele, President and co-owner of MauiWine. In this podcast Paula talks about the history of MauiWine, her involvement as a mentor with the University of Hawai'i Maui College, the business challenges she's had to work through over the past few years, how the Tasting Room experience has evolved since 2020, what makes the location of MauiWine in Ulupalakua so special, working through production and supply chain challenges, her near term and long term outlook for MauiWine, a recap of the products that are available, and her advice to young women looking to establish a career in the agriculture or wine industries.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Nicholas Winfrey, President & Chief Professional Officer of the Maui United Way. In this podcast Nicholas talks about what the past year has been like for the Maui United Way, the ups and downs of the non-profit sector since the beginning of the pandemic, lessens learned and applied since 2020, the overall mission of the Maui United Way, what it was like to win the 2022 Mayor's Small Business Award for Outstanding Nonprofit Business, the goals for Maui United Way for the next year, the upcoming Keiki Talapia Fishing Tournament on August 26th (and a way you MIGHT be able to get tickets if you haven't already...), plans for a 2024 golf fundraising event in Wailea, advice for anyone considering a job with a non-profit, and how to get involved with Maui United Way.
Diane Woodburn speaks to Barry Rivers, Executive Director of the Maui Film Festival. In this podcast Barry talks about his original pitches to begin the film festival over two decades ago, how the vision for the festival evolved over the years, the 2023 festival schedule including the in person and virtual cinema options, the vast number of short films this year including incorporating films that were produced in Hawaii, a night by night run down of what to expect between June 28th-July 2nd, and how people can learn more about the festival and purchase tickets.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Daryl Fujiwara, the event coordinator for the King Kamehameha Day Parade in Lahaina on June 17th. In this podcast Daryl talks about the significance of King Kamehameha Day, what goes into planning for this event, how the parade has evolved over the past decade, the schedule of events on June 17th in Lahaina for the parade, why this commemorative tradition is so important to continue, and how to learn more about the event.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Charlene Ka'uhane, event organizer of the Maui AgFest & 4H Livestock Fair. In this podcast Charlene talks about the history of Maui AgFest, the importance of connecting the community to agriculture, what goes into planning an event like Maui AgFest, adding a Grand Dessert tasting event, goals to expand to a multi-day event in the future, how the pandemic reinforced the importance of local agriculture, how the agriculture industry formed new partnerships island wide due to the pandemic, a rundown of events for this years AgFest event, and how people can learn more about the event and purchase tickets in advance.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Laura Night, CEO of Vida by Sip Me Maui. In this podcast Laura talks about the inspiration to open a coffee shop in 2014, how she was denied funding 16 times before opening her business, the impact the Maui Economic Opportunity program provided to open Sip Me Maui, the balance of excitement vs nerves when opening a business, the importance of community engagement, how the pandemic impacted the business, innovations from the pandemic that she thinks will stick around, challenges from the pandemic that have not be solved yet within the service industry, her role as chair with the non profit Common Ground Collective who seeks to help with food security on Maui,
Diane Woodburn speaks with Roger Stettler, Executive Chef & Partner of Taverna. In this podcast Roger talks about growing up in Switzerland, the early culinary influences of his mother and grandmother, the path that led him from Switzerland to the Caribbean thru Asia and then eventually Maui, winning the Aipono Chef of the Year Award in 2012 while at the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, the importance of being involved in the local community, his decision to help open Taverna, what it was like navigating through the pandemic, the ongoing challenge of staffing for the hospitality industry, the upcoming event Taverna will host in June as part of the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, some of his favorite things on the Taverna menu, & his advice for those looking to move up in the restaurant industry.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speak to Yvonne McClean, Community Relations Director of Habitat For Humanity on Maui. In this podcast Yvonne talks about what the past few years have been like navigating through the pandemic, how the organization has dealt with the overall labor shortage on Maui, the success of the Brush With Kindness program that helps underserved homeowners help to update and maintain their houses, the ongoing efforts to help construction with Hawaiian Homes in Kula, what it was like to recently hand over the keys to a local family who just had their home completed, details about the upcoming 25th anniversary Silver Hammer Gala that will be held at the Andaz Maui at Wailea on June 3rd, goals for the remainder of 2023 and into the future, details about ReStore where people can donate building materials and household items to be put to use, and how people can learn more about volunteering or donating to Habitat for Humanity.
Diane Woodburn speaks to Master Sommelier Michael Jordan about the upcoming Kapalua Wine & Food Festival in June. In this podcast Michael talks about his introduction to the restaurant industry at an early age, how Frank Sinatra became his Godfather, moving to Oahu at a young age, his love of music in Hawaii, what it's been like to see the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival evolve over the years, a preview of the panels & tastings at this years event from June 8th-11th, how the Kapalua Food & Wine Festival helps to raise money for the University of Hawaii-Maui College Culinary Arts Program, how the event has become less intimidating for those who are not regular wine consumers, and how to learn more about the calendar of events along with ticket options (single event vs the festival pass).
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to McKenna Shea, Assistant Executive Chef at Pacific'o on the Beach and recent winner on a March 2023 episode of Food Network's TV series "Chopped." In this podcast McKenna talks about her interest in the culinary industry at an early age, her path to Maui, joining the Pacific'o team in 2019, navigating through the challenges of the pandemic in 2020, how the industry has been changed since 2020, some aspects of industry changes that she thinks will stick around, challenges the industry is still facing, what it's like undergoing changes with the culinary team & ownership group at Pacific'o, how she ended up on an episode of Food Network's "Chopped" television series that aired in March of 2023, what it's like competing on a television cooking competition series, her goals for the future, her advice for younger women looking to work their way up in the culinary industry, and how to find out more about Pacific'o on the Beach (including some of her favorite dishes).
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Tapani Vuori, General Manager of the Maui Ocean Center. In this podcast Tapani talks about what the past few years have been like navigating through the pandemic, why the Maui Ocean Center has made it a priority to be ingrained in the local community, how 2023 will mark their 25th anniversary, the challenge Maui faces with tourism, how the Maui Ocean Center has supported Bill 21 in order to help lessen the impact on native sea turtles and birds, the inspiration for their Kaho'olawe exhibit, how the Humpbacks of Hawaii exhibit evolved, working with local elementary schools, and how to learn more about Maui Ocean Center (including a special $10 entry for local residents on Earth Day).
Diane Woodburn speaks to Clifford Nae'ole, Cultural Director at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. In this podcast Clifford talks about how he first starting working with The Ritz-Carlton, some of the early history of the property location and the importance of the grounds nearby, the inspiration to start the Celebration of the Arts 31 years ago, how the event has grown over the years, the daily schedule for this year's event, why it's important to keep it free of charge and open to the public, examples of artists and artisans that will be showcasing their work, what to expect at the luau to wrap up the event on Sunday, and how people can learn more about this years Celebration of the Arts including a schedule of events and how to purchase tickets for the luau.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Tom Houston, Director of Food & Beverage at the Fairmont Kea Lani. In this podcast Tom talks about what his role entails, his first introduction to the hospitality industry, his path from Ontario Canada to the Fairmont Kea Lani, starting his new role at Fairmont Kea Lani weeks before the start of the pandemic in 2020, industry innovations and challenges that have resulted from the pandemic, the inspiration for opening a new food truck ('Opihi) on property at the Fairmont Kea Lani, how the beverage trends have evolved over the past few years, details about the upcoming Easter Brunch at Kō, the impact of the late Chef Tylun Pang on Tom, what advice Tom would give those who are interested in the hospitality industry or those who currently work in hospitality and want to work their way up, and how to learn more about Kō and the rest of the Fairmont Kea Lani Food & Beverage operations.
Diane Woodburn speaks to recently retired Chef / Restaurant Owner Bev Gannon. In this podcast Bev talks about her decision to retire from the restaurant industry, what it was like opening the restaurant at Hali'imaile General Store in the late 80's, how she navigated the early days of running a restaurant, the challenge of navigating the early stages of the pandemic in 2020, how the effects of the pandemic reinforced her decision to sell her restaurants, how the industry has evolved in the past few years and where she sees changes continuing in the years ahead, how she first started her career in the entertainment industry prior to working in the culinary field, reacting to the recent passing of friend & colleague Mark Ellman, and her advice for chefs trying to work their way up in the restaurant industry.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with John Carty, Vice President and co-founder of the Save Honolua Coalition. In this podcast John talks about the inspiration behind starting the Save Honolua Coalition, why Honolua is such an sacred place, the original intent for the moorings set up at Honolua Bay for boats, his reaction when he first learned of the yacht that was grounded over the past few weeks, the importance of community involvement to protect natural places, how the response system for an incident like the recent grounded yacht can be improved, the need to have cultural practitioners as part of the decision making process with the county, ways to prevent an incident like this from happening again, his reaction when he saw the boat removed from Honolua Bay, his thoughts on the vessel sinking in the channel, what’s next for the Save Honolua Coalition, and how people can learn more and get involved.
Diane Woodburn speaks to Raul Bermudez, Executive Chef at the Kula Lodge. In this podcast Raul talks about being a part of the new management team that has taken over the Kula Lodge, coming to Maui from the Philippines when he was 8 years old, his path working in the restaurant industry on Maui that led him to Kula Lodge, how the restaurant industry on Maui has evolved over the past few decades, his goals for dining options at Kula Lodge, insights on a few of their current menu items, his process in designing a menu, the importance of sourcing local ingredients, the challenge of rising costs for restaurant ingredients, and how his working partnership with new Kula Lodge owner Simon Vojdani has worked so well over the past few decades.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Kumu Kapono'ai Molitau, founder of Native Intelligence. In this podcast Kapono'ai talks about growing up on Oahu, his early influences, his path to becoming a Kumu Hula, what the role of a Kumu can entail, what it's like participating in Merrie Monarch, how innovations in technology over the years can impact hula, what inspired him to open Native Intelligence in Wailuku, how perseverance was so crucial to get the business up and running, how Native Intelligence works with local practitioners, what it was like navigating the business through the early stages of the pandemic, and how people can learn more about Native Intelligence.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Flip Nicklin, a National Geographic photographer and one of the world's leading photographers of whales. In this podcast Flip talks about his introduction to the underwater world, the evolution of photography gear from when he started to modern day, one of the biggest surprises he's witnessed with whale behavior, the conditions that need to be in place to take a good underwater photo, what was one of his most memorable assignments, what makes Maui such a great place to study humpback whales, what inspired him to be part of a team that started the annual Whale Tales event that will be held at The Ritz-Carlton Maui Kapalua this weekend, what people can expect at the event both in person and virtually, and how to find out more about Whale Tales 2023 taking place February 17th-20th.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Executive Chef Lee Anne Wong of Papa'aina at The Pioneer Inn. In this podcast Lee Anne talks about her path from New York City to Maui, what it was like opening Papa'aina in December of 2019 only to have to temporarily close a few months later due to the pandemic, challenges the restaurant industry is still facing due to the pandemic, how deconstructing costs can help educate customers on menu prices, what led her to the strategy she developed at Papa'aina for grab and go vs brunch options, a silver lining for the industry that developed due to the pandemic, what it's been like winning the Aipono Award for Best Breakfast and being nominated for a James Beard Award, her upcoming participation in Food Network's Tournament of Champions Season 4, additional TV appearances on Food Network and on Magnum PI, her advice to anyone looking to advance in the restaurant industry, and some of her favorite brunch and dinner items that are served at Papa'aina.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Andrew Rogers, the General Manager of The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua. In this episode Andrew talks about how he started in the hospitality industry, the path that led him from Jamaica to Maui to China and back to Maui, what it's like transitioning as GM from a business hub like Shanghai to the resort destination of Kapalua, what it was like navigating through the early stages of the pandemic, innovations in the industry from the pandemic that will stick around, challenges from the pandemic that the industry is still working through, what went into the recent $100M property transformation, some highlights of new enhancements on property (the club lounge, guest rooms, lobby, dining options), the importance of sustainability improvements for a property, upcoming events (Whale Tales in February, Celebration of the Arts in April, Kapalua Wine & Food Festival in June), and his advice for anyone who wants to advance their career in hospitality.
Diane Woodburn speaks to Lisa Paulson, Executive Director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA). In this podcast Lisa talks about what the MHLA does, the path that led her from training as an opera singer to Maui, how collaboration is a crucial part of her role, the revenue the MHLA sends back to the county through taxes, the negative impact of illegal vacation rentals, the MHLA commitment to charity programs such as the annual charity walk, the importance of sustainability and conservation for MHLA partners, the goals for the future, and how to learn more about the MHLA.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Isaac Bancaco, Executive Chef at Pacific'o on the Beach. In this podcast Isaac talks about his early culinary influences, how he decided to pursue a career in the culinary industry, working with highly regarded chefs like Ming Tsai & Roy Yamaguchi, his experience being on Iron Chef on the Food Network, what brought him back to Maui, the importance of consistency for a restaurant, the process of designing a menu, working with owners Louis Coloumbe and Michele & Qiana DiBari, winning the Aipono Chef of the Year award in 2014, traits he admires in fellow chef of the year winners and peers Kyle Kawakami/Perry Bateman/Jeff Scheer/Sheldon Simeon, working through the industry impacts of the pandemic, and what to expect at Pacific'o including details on a few of his favorite dishes.
We begin our 4th year of the podcast series with Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaking to the Steve MacKinnon, CEO of Maui Humane Society. In this episode Steve talks about his path that led from criminal justice to Maui Humane Society, some differences in large shelters in big cities vs smaller shelters like MHS, the ongoing issue of overpopulation at animal shelters, an insight into some of the services offered by Maui Humane Society including 4EverPets that provides supplies and support for the local community, how the animal foster program helps both the community and animals involved, potential upgrades that are planned for on site facilities, the dedication of the staff and volunteers, challenges and goals for the year ahead, how their enforcement offers look to educate the community when possible, and how to find out more online about Maui Humane Society including upcoming events and fundraisers.
Diane Woodburn speaks to Kyle Kawakami of Maui Fresh Streatery. In this podcast Kyle talks about growing up on Maui, winning the Aipono Chef of the Year award in 2019 (and other awards for Best Food Truck), mentoring under Chef Tylun Pang, why he began his Aloha Tip Jar and how the money raised gets dispersed into the community, his approach to the menu for Maui Fresh Streatery, the challenges in adding local venison onto the menu, the importance of creating family time in his career, and his goals for the future for Maui Fresh Streatery.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Diane Woodburn, former publisher of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine. In this podcast Diane announces her decision to retire from Maui No Ka Oi Magazine, what went into her decision, how her career on Maui started, her intentions for Maui No Ka Oi Magazine when it began, how she had to evolve over the years, what it's been like covering the food industry over the past few decades on Maui, the history of the Aipono awards, her advice for those looking to start a business, her advice for women in particular looking to start a business, what she is most proud of with Maui No Ka Oi Magazine, and what she will miss the most.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Executive Chef Michael Patria from the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. In this podcast Michael talks about the upcoming Four Seasons Maui Wine & Food Classic which will be held over Labor Day weekend, the approach to balancing food & wine pairings as a chef, when he first realized he wanted to become a chef, how his career took him from Atlanta to Maui, what the role of Executive Chef entails for a resort property, his approach to menu design (and why collaboration is important), an update on Ferraro's (including their new chef), an update on Duo, and an update on the Lobby Lounge, how the pandemic put an emphasis on mental health for the culinary industry, challenges the industry still has been working through since 2020, involvement in the upcoming Festivals of Aloha series in late October, and how people can find out more about the Four Seasons Maui Wine & Food Classic (including purchasing tickets and finding a schedule of events).
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Laurie LaGrange of Pasha Hawaii. In this podcast Laurie explains what Pasha Hawaii does, how it's a family run business with roots dating back to the 1940's, the different roles that vessels have in transporting cargo, some of the largest and more unique items that have been loaded onto a Pasha Hawaii vessel, what goes into the preparation for shipping large items, how the pandemic affected operations, how they deal with business challenges like rising fuel costs, their new vessel which will run 100% on liquid natural gas (and the benefits this will have in reducing emissions), the goals for the future, and how people can learn more about Pasha Hawaii.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Chef / Restaurateur Peter Merriman. In this podcast Peter talks about what the past 2 years have been like, the correlation between staffing challenges and affordable housing on Maui, navigating through the workforce shortage in general, industry changes created by the pandemic that will stick around, what went into the decision to switch to a prix-fixe menu at Merriman's Kapalua, the challenge the industry is facing with increased costs, how he will be the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Aipono Awards on August 20th, recounting what it was like to get local products for a restaurant back in the mid-80's compared to what it's like today, his passion for conservation and sustainability in Hawaii, his goal to transform one of his restaurants into a carbon neutral business (and what that will entail), and his goals in general for Merriman's and Monkeypod here on Maui over the next 6-12 months.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to chef Taylor Ponte of Kamado. In this podcast Taylor talks about how his career has evolved since May of 2020 when we last spoke to him, how he used time during the pandemic to adapt, what it was like learning he would be receiving the 2020 Aipono Chef of the Year award during the pandemic, how he will be recognized for that award in person at the upcoming Aipono Awards on August 20th, how he's seen the culinary industry on Maui evolve over the years, what restaurant industry adaptations that surfaced during the pandemic that he believes will stick around, challenges that the industry is still working through, how he and his girlfriend started their private chef business Kamado, the difference in creating menus as a private chef compared to working in a restaurant, the goals for Kamado, a few rapid fire questions about his favorite meal to cook & eat + some of his favorite Maui restaurants to visit, what qualities he looks for in chefs when he votes for Chef of the Year, and the contact info for Kamado.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Mark Malone, Instructor at the Culinary Arts & Hospitality Program at UH Maui College. In this podcast Mark talks about his background on Maui where he worked with the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua, Maui on the first Aipono Awards event that was held at a resort, how students benefit and learn from the Aipono Awards event, the importance of supporting culinary education here on Maui, why the culinary arts is important to him, why Maui and Hawaii in general are such great locations for students looking to work in the culinary field, some details about the culinary program that is offered at UH Maui College, and the upcoming Aipono Awards event that will be held on August 20th at Old Lahaina Luau.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Daniel Chun, Director of Sales & Public Relations in Hawaii for Alaska Airlines. In this podcast Daniel talks about his history working with Alaska Airlines for the past 11 years, growing up in a family business on Oahu, how Alaska Airlines was a recent recipient of an Airline of the Year Award, how the airline is celebrating 15 years with service in Hawaii, the innovative technology that is being developed to help air travel, the support the company gave to non profits and food banks during the first two years of the pandemic, how air filtration works on board an aircraft, the culture of inclusion at Alaska Airlines, the sustainability goals for the airline, how Alaska supports events in Hawaii such as the Aipono Awards as title sponsor in August, and how they support local talent like Kalani Pe'a through his journey in the music industry.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Kawika Freitas, Director of Culture and Public Relations for the Old Lahaina Luau. In this podcast Kawika talks about a brief history of Old Lahaina Luau (including development of Aloha Mixed Plate and Feast at Lele), how Old Lahaina Luau has won the Aipono Gold Award for Best Luau for every year for almost twenty years, what his role at Old Lahaina Luau entails, some of the national and international campaigns they have participated in supporting good causes, the owners of Old Lahaina Luau winning the Icon Aipono Award in 2017, how Old Lahaina Luau will be hosting the 2022 Aipono Awards on August 20th, some of the challenges of the past two years, examples of adaptations the luau has made due to the pandemic including adding plated service, how people can get tickets to Old Lahaina Luau, the importance of booking your tickets as far in advance as possible, and the success of Star Noodle & Leoda's over the years.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Barry Rivers, founder of the Maui Film Festival. In this podcast Barry talks about why he started the Maui Film Festival a few decades ago, making it a positive & uplifting event, shifting the venue post-pandemic to the MAAC, the virtual component this year for those who cannot attend in-person, a few films of interest in this years schedule, how kids 12 and under can attend for free, a rundown of the featured films each night of the event, how people can learn more about the event online, and the best way to purchase tickets.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Master Sommelier Michael Jordan about the upcoming Kapalua Wine & Food Festival. In this podcast Michael talks about how he got into the wine industry, the impact Frank Sinatra had on his path, some of the steps you have to go through to become a Master Sommelier, the difference in judging wine vs simply drinking wine, his tips for anyone heading to this weeks Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, details on some of the tasting seminars this week, a brief overview of the different venues for festival events, how the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival supports the UH Maui Culinary Program, some wines that have left good impressions on him over the past few years, why cost doesn't make one wine better than another, some of his favorite wine regions at the moment, and how people can learn more about the event and to purchase tickets.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Qiana DiBari of Sale Pepe & Pacific’o. In this podcast Qiana talks about building loyal customers with Sale Pepe since opening in 2014, their Bu'Ono product line available in Safeway and Whole Foods on Maui, the decision to join Louis Coloumbe to reopen Pacific’o on the Beach in Lahaina, her background growing up in Brooklyn, her time managing with A Tribe Called Quest, the recent loss of her mother-in-law who was an inspiration for Sale Pepe, recruiting Maui chef Issac Bancaco to lead Pacific’o, the approach to the new Pacific’o menu, the importance of using locally sourced ingredients, the impact of Louis Coloumbe at Pacific’O over the years, and how people can learn more about both Sale Pepe and Pacific’o for reservations and hours of operation.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Kimberly Flook of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. In this podcast Kimberly talks about the purpose of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, the history of the organization, the challenges of adapting older significant buildings, the Lahaina Quest Keiki Programs that are offered, what it was like to receive a Community Enrichment Award from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, how that award will allow the program to grow, and how people can learn more or get involved with the Lahaina Restoration Foundation.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks to Clifford Nae'ole, Hawaiian Cultural Advisor at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua about the upcoming Celebration of the Arts. In this podcast Clifford talks about the upcoming 30th annual Celebration of the Arts festival on April 15th & 16th, how this event allows an opportunity for artists and practitioners to share elements of Hawaiian culture, the addition of a fashion show to the event this year, the importance of the opening E Ala E ceremony, the various artist workshops that guests can visit, the Mauka to Makai theme this year which includes a chance to see Maui's long distance voyaging canoe the Mo'okiha O Pi'ilani, the tree planting event at Pu'u Kukui, the luau & falsetto events on Saturday evening (April 16th), how people can get tickets for the luau, and what it has been like to have an in-person Celebration of the Arts for the first time since 2019.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Samira Seibaa, Executive Pastry Chef of Hoaloha Na Ekolu. In this podcast Samira talks about how her mom influenced her passion for food, moving to the east coast to attend Le Cordon Bleu college of culinary arts, why she shifted over to baking, how the pandemic impacted her professional life, balancing the different approaches of Old Lahaina Luau / Star Noodle / Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop, her influence on the different menus, her goals for the future, and her advice to someone aspiring to have a career in pastry.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Chef Perry Bateman of Mama's Fish House. In this podcast Perry talks about how a landscaping job turned into a career as a chef, a history of cooking within his family, why he's so committed to using local ingredients, the importance of sustainability, his approach to let the ingredients shine in a dish, receiving multiple Aipono Awards over the years, what it has been like dealing with the challenges of the past two years of the pandemic, the importance of a great guest experience, his love and appreciation for founders Mama Doris and Floyd Christenson, and his advice to aspiring chefs.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with the chef/owner of FOND Jojo Vasquez. In this podcast Jojo talks about some of the inspiration behind FOND, his detailed approach to cooking, the intimate chef's counter experience that's offered at FOND, what it was like for him to win the 2017 Aipono Awards Chef of the Year, what characteristics he looks for when voting for a Chef of the Year on Maui, his recent recognition as a semifinalist in the upcoming James Beard awards, the influence of Filipino food in restaurants, his goals for the future, and updated days & hours that FOND is open.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Ben Shank, General Manager of the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. In this podcast Ben talks about his path from busser to General Manager within the Four Seasons brand, his inspiration to get into hospitality as a career, what he learned at different properties he worked with across the country, the importance of a property to distinguish itself, his experience navigating through the pandemic as a General Manager, the decision to move back to Maui, the importance of setting long term goals, incorporating in local culture to the guest experience, the new Topgolf Swing Suite on property, their health & wellness partnership with Next|Health, welcoming new team members to the food & beverage programs, and his advice for high school and college students who want to pursue a career in hospitality.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Hawaiian Cultural Event Coordinator Daryl Fujiwara. In this podcast Daryl talks about his background in planning events on Maui, what to expect in late March for Prince Kūhiō day, the logistics behind these full day events, how different organizations on Maui work together to help each other, dealing with challenges with planning events in 2020 and 2021, what goes into the upcoming King Kamehameha Day event in June, taking pride in the success of these events, the upcoming Festivals of Aloha event later this year, what it was like receiving multiple Hawaii Tourism Authority Community Enrichment Program awards to support his events, and the importance of offering more authentic experiences for visitors who come to Maui.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Jonathan Pasion, Executive Chef of Kō at the Fairmont Kea Lani. In this podcast Chef Pasion talks about his early cooking influences while growing up on Maui, how he received the Chef Tylun Pang scholarship while attending the culinary program at UH Maui College, how he evolved his culinary skills in Rhode Island, how he continued his culinary travels by taking a job in New Zealand, what influenced his decision to return home to Maui, what it's been like at Kō as an Executive Chef, why it's a priority to source local, the importance of teamwork at a restaurant, his advice to aspiring chefs, and his goals for Kō both short term and long term.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Ed Lyman, Regional Large Whale Entanglement Response Coordinator under NOAA's Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program. In this podcast Ed talks about what defines a marine sanctuary, his role with humpback whale entanglement response, how local tour boat operators act as "first responders" to entangled humpback whales, why patience is so important in his job, the types of items they find entangled on humpback whales, what happens when they approach a whale that is dealing with an entanglement, the roles of different team members, why people on kayaks or SUP boards should not try to intervene with an entangled whale, how people can get involved in the response effort, how you can get in touch if you see an entangled whale, and how you can donate to the organization.
In addition here is the link that Ed references at 30:57
https://pacific-islands-training.whaledisentanglement.org/#/
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks to Chef Jeff Scheer, owner of Marlow. In this podcast Jeff talks about winning the Chef of the Year Aipono Award in 2015, how the culinary academy on Maui helped shape his path, his inspiration to open Marlow, his dedication to maximize local produce and meat, fine tuning the recipes and cooking style at Marlow, the challenges restaurants face in keeping up with changing rules and regulations for Covid, how inflation has affected his costs, opening a mobile oven to take Marlow to various locations around Maui, and Diane mentions how people can vote for this years Aipono Awards with Maui No Ka Oi Magazine.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks to Leona Rocha Wilson. In this podcast Leona talks about why age shouldn't hold you back in accomplishing goals, what life was like growing up in the plantation days, the item from her father that means the most to her, how food bonded cultures together growing up on Maui, why she joined the army in 1955, her path into the fashion world, returning to Maui and purchasing a home now known as Lona Ridge, why she started weekly luncheons with people of all backgrounds in the community, and how people can learn more about Lona Ridge.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks to Sebastian Consiglieri & Chef Martin Monteverde about the upcoming debut of 1111 Nikkei Sushi Bar & Restaurant in Wailea. In this podcast Sebastian and Martin talk about their Peruvian backgrounds, how they saw an opportunity to bring creative Peruvian fusion cuisine to the US, how the company is built with a foundation of giving back to the local community, their partnership supporting Imua Family Services, their approach to their new menu, why blending different approaches to Peruvian cuisine works so well, their recommendations for a way to try different components of their menu, and their excitement for the restaurant opening in Wailea on February 22nd, 2022.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Jenny Miller of the Maui Humane Society. In this podcast Jenny talks about overcoming the challenges of 2020, how the Maui Humane Society is involved with helping Maui community members afford care and food for their pets, the importance of mental health awareness for staff members over the past 2 years, ways the Maui Humane Society has had to adapt as Covid restrictions evolve including creative ways to do annual fundraisers, how they will be sending a team to Hana in early December to help with pet checkups, what is involved in their Empty the Shelters event from December 6th - 20th, how people can adopt or foster animals, what people should consider before adopting a pet, and how you can learn more about the different programs offered by Maui Humane Society.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Nicholas Winfrey, President and Chief Professional Officer of Maui United Way. In this podcast Nicholas talks about navigating through the challenges of 2020 for a non-profit organization, the importance of mental health support in the workplace, how their goals shifted for 2021, how they are using data to help pinpoint areas of need on Maui, how the Maui United Way works as an advocate for the community with policy planning, different upcoming holiday events for November and December, and how people can get involved both with donations and volunteering their time to support various Maui United Way causes.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Chef Eric Faivre, Executive Chef at Montage Kapalua Bay. In this episode Eric talks about joining the Montage Kapalua Bay right before the pandemic, how operations stayed open for the majority of 2020, how the current shipping challenge has impacted restaurants, the importance of sourcing local products, how the Montage Kapalua Bay places a priority on sustainable fishing, his background that brought him from Europe to Maui, the new luau that will be open to everyone at the Montage Kapalua Bay, and how people can find out more about Cane & Canoe and the new luau.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Julie Yoneyama, Sales & Marketing Manager of Huihui Restaurant at Ka'anapali Beach Hotel. In this podcast Julie talks about her path that took her from Oahu to Maui, her time with Old Lahaina Luau and the Maui Visitors Bureau, helping to lead a program that helped business learn cultural values, why Huihui Restaurant was a good fit for her, the inspiration behind the restaurant design, the variety on the menu, & how people can learn more about hours and reservations.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Gerry Ross, president of the Maui Coffee Association. In this podcast Gerry talks about the how the Maui Coffee Association began, it's mission to help the coffee industry on Maui, what the process entails for coffee to go from seed to cup, the types of coffee grown on Maui, challenges coffee farmers face in growing coffee, how he envisions the industry growing on Maui over the next decade, how Maui coffee has won awards in coffee tasting contests, how Gerry and his wife left their jobs to get into the coffee industry, his idea of the perfect cup of coffee, and his advice to aspirational coffee farmers.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Jamie Woodburn, co-founder and president of Maui Olive Company. In this podcast Jamie talks about the inspiration to grow olives on Maui, the challenges Maui presents for olives, aspects of the climate on Maui that are ideal for growing olives, the process of producing olive oil at scale, what it's like to run a family business, expectations for the future of increasing production, and where people can find olive oil from Maui Olive Company on island.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Barry Rivers of the Maui Film Festival. In this podcast Barry talks about the origin of the festival, their goals each year when selecting films, how they aim to spotlight current and future industry stars, how the festival has had to adapt due to the pandemic, what people can expect for this year's festival in November, and how people can find details on the 2021 film festival schedule.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Ben Kopf, owner of Mahalo Aleworks. In this podcast Ben talks about opening the Mahalo Aleworks Brewery in Makawao this past month, what steps he took for the brewery to go from an idea to reality, how the pandemic impacted the timing of opening, challenges he had to overcome in order to successfully open, how he constantly has to adapt to changing circumstances with his planning, what it felt like to finally open the doors to the public this past month, a breakdown of the current beers that are offered, why sustainability is a key component within the business model, how the county vaccination requirements have impacted the brewery, and how people can learn more (including location and hours) about Mahalo Aleworks online.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Chef/Owner Joey Macadangdang of Joey's Kitchen. In this podcast Joey talks about what the past year and half has been like for his restaurant, the challenge of staffing throughout the pandemic, how having an efficient takeaway process in place helped when the pandemic hit, the challenges that he's still working through, how the new Maui County vaccine requirements have had minimal impact on Joey's Kitchen, opening his new restaurant Macadangdang Maui on October 20th, how he came up with his new menu and restaurant design, and how people can learn more about both the new restaurant opening up and the latest on Joey's Kitchen.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Melanie Wicker, the GM of Lineage. In this podcast Melanie talks about what the past year has been like for Lineage, the challenges restaurants face with 50% capacity limits, how the island labor shortage has affected restaurants, the introduction of the two new Executive Chefs for Lineage, how they make it a priority to support local products within their menu, their success as a customer favorite each year in the Aipono Awards, how their menu evolves with new chefs, their local craft cocktail options, her recommendations to make a reservation or go on a wait-list in order to dine at Lineage, and her expectations for the remainder of the year.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Chris Rabang, GM of the Westin Nanea Ocean Villas. In this podcast Chris talks about growing up on Maui, opening The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas in 2017, his favorite thing about Maui, what it was like having to close the property during the pandemic in 2020, being the chairperson of the 2021 Charity Walk, why this event is so important, how Maui county has led the state in money raised in past years, examples of non profit organizations who benefit from the funds raised, how non profit organizations can register to benefit from this years event, how this years Charity Walk will be done virtually, how teams and donors can learn more to participate, and how The Westin Nanea Ocean Villas will host a golf tournament as part of their fundraising efforts in September.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Scott Lacasse, the Executive Director of Grow Some Good. In this podcast Scott talks about the mission of Grow Some Good, how the program has expanded into different schools across the island, the importance of a dedicated and knowledgeable staff, the path Scott took to join the organization, how one school administrators request in 2020 for school gardening kits led to a massive expansion of the program, how students helped grow plants that led to food drives during the pandemic in 2020, why an innovation that came from adapting during covid will likely be a key part of Grow Some Good moving forward, how the program has had to scope up due to its impact over the past year, the challenge in fundraising over the past year and a half due to the pandemic, and the goals for Grow Some Good moving forward.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Rachael McCrory, Spa Director at the Grand Wailea Maui. In this podcast Rachael talks about dealing with the challenges of 2020, the excitement of reopening the spa, adaptations the spa has made in to keep staff and guests safe, new types of unique treatments that are being offered, how the spa can be a place of solace during a challenging time, new spa trends that are emerging, how group visits are a great form of social connection, and how she'd describe her perfect spa day.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Andrea De Roode of Pono Infusions. In this podcast Andrea talks about the Maui Tea farm in Kula, how they looked to expand the farm in 2020, the incredible location 4500 feet up Haleakala, the health benefits of tea, the process of making tea, growing and brewing the native Hawaiian Mamaki plant, what the word Pono means to their business, what guests can expect visiting the Maui Tea Farm, and how people can learn more about the farm.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Tim Dietrich, Assistant General Manager of Kapalua Golf and Tennis. In this podcast Tim talks about starting his career the tennis and ski industries before shifting to golf, his path that led to Kapalua, why Kapalua underwent a large refinement in 2019, the balance of keeping Kapalua challenging for both amateur and professional golfers, keeping up with changing technology in golf equipment, how golf was one of the early activities allowed during the pandemic, the upcoming 34th annual Clambake Invitational in August, the 2022 Sentry Tournament of Champions in January, and his best tip for people who are new to the game of golf.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Eric Faivre, Executive Chef at Montage Kapalua Bay. In this podcast Eric talks about his early culinary influences while growing up in France, his travels that stretched from all over Europe to places like Guam, how he first came to Oahu and then made Maui his home, the importance of building relationships with local farmers, the importance of balance when designing a menu, what goes into the "perfect" meal, and what it has been like leading the culinary team at Montage Kapalua Bay.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Naomi Smith, Western Regional Manager for Champagne Laurent-Perrier about the upcoming Kapalua Wine and Food Festival. In this podcast Naomi talks about her 20 year career in the wine industry, a brief history of how Champagne first came to be, how it has developed over the years, the innovative ways that Champagne Laurent-Perrier is able to consistently produce top quality bottles, and how Naomi will be leading a few different events this week at the upcoming Kapalua Wine and Food Festival including a cheese pairing with Haleakala Creamery and a lunch tasting at Montage Kapalua Bay.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Mary Anderson, President and co-owner of Koholā Brewery. In this podcast Mary talks about her path from Silicon Valley to Koholā, the differences and similarities in running a brewery from her previous work, what it was like to take over in August of 2020, running the brewery while simultaneously working with capacity restrictions, the challenges in getting out of state distribution, their new partnership with Merriman's and Monkeypod restaurants for a new exclusive beer on tap, how that partnership will contribute profits to the Polynesian Voyaging Society, her advice for anyone who has the dream to open a brewery, her favorite beer on tap at Koholā, and how people can keep up with the brewery on social media.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Chef Jeff Scheer. In this podcast Jeff talks about moving to Maui in 2004 and enrolling at the Maui Culinary Academy, starting a catering company while at MCA, his passion for the farm to table approach, becoming Executive Chef at The Mill House, winning the 2015 Aipono Award for Chef of the Year, how he spent his time during the pandemic, why pizza was a good fit for his new restaurant Marlow that will be opening in Pukalani, what goes into the perfect neapolitan pizza, how he hopes Marlow and Mahalo Aleworks Brewery will complement each other once they open, and his advice for up and coming chefs.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with restaurant owner Paris Nabavi. In this podcast Paris talks about his path growing up in Tehran, moving to Maui in 1989, opening Pizza Paradiso, how he gave employees a pay increase during the pandemic, the challenge he faced keeping his restaurant open in 2020, his extensive support of Maui non profit organizations, what it was like to receive an Aipono Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2015, and his advice for younger chefs and restaurateurs.
Jason Evans speaks with Kevin O'Brien of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine Debris Project. In this podcast Kevin explains what the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is and why it is an important part of the Hawaiian Island chain, the size of the PMNM, the importance of protecting delicate island ecosystems, the types of debris they find on their cleanups, the most recent expedition which collected over 47 tons of marine debris, the challenge of keeping up with the debris that accumulates in these remote areas, how the PMDP began, the logistics that go into setting up these larger expeditions, how people can get involved, and where they can learn more online and via social media.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Dean Wong, the Executive Director of Imua Family Services. In this podcast Dean talks about the mission for Imua Family Services of assisting children & families to overcome developmental learning challenges in their most critical formative years, the different types of ways the organization helps the local community, the challenges of fundraising for a non profit over the past year during the pandemic, why it's important for non profits to have multiple revenue streams, the decision to purchase the historic Yokouchi Estate in Wailuku for a future classroom and garden, how they pivoted to virtual fundraising, and ways for people to contact and/or support Imua Family Services.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino. In this podcast Mayor Victorino talks about the state of the Maui economy and how this past year has provided a reset to how we approach certain industries, how he's tried to protect the vulnerability of the local economy over the past year, why he's implementing the mandatory 2nd test upon arrival, how they are moving towards a vaccine exemption that would allow fully vaccinated travelers to bypass the pretest and arrival test requirements, how vaccine exemptions may be applied to inter-island travel soon allowing fully vaccinated passengers to bypass the 72 hour pretest for inter-island trips, what it will take to begin loosening capacity restrictions for restaurants and activities, the challenge travelers are facing with rental car shortages, and his hopes for the continued economic recovery of Maui County.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Kumu Maile Naehu of Ka Hale Hoaka, a new Hawaiʻi-inspired learning environment that explores cultural beliefs, traditions and practices rooted in a Hawaiian perspective. In this podcast Kumu Maile talks about growing up on Oahu, what it was like to go from attending Kamehameha Schools to the public school system, how she found her connection to Hawaiian culture, how she aims to teach traditional concepts of culture through contemporary mediums, why sustainability is so important on her home island of Moloka'i, what the past year has been like on Moloka'i dealing with the pandemic, how she was inspired to launch virtual classes teaching Hawaiian language and culture, the types of classes that are available for their upcoming series in April, how people from all across the world have been tuning into her virtual programs, and her tips for anyone who might be intimidated trying to learn the Hawaiian language.
For more information on Ka Hale Hoaka visit: www.kahalehoaka.com
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media is joined by Waicoco General Manager Justin Eddy and Executive Chef John Taube. In this podcast Justin and John talk about their career paths in the culinary industry, the challenges they faced in opening a new restaurant during the pandemic, the approach to designing a menu and atmosphere for an oceanfront location at Westin Maui, the importance of sourcing local products, building a takeaway / to-go version of the Waicoco menu, how the restaurant will be expanding their menu and hours over the coming weeks, and their goals for the future.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Clifford Nae'ole, the Hawaiian Cultural Advisor for The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua. In this podcast Clifford talks about a new virtual approach for the 29th annual Celebration of the Arts for 2021, the challenges that have gone into making the annual gathering a virtual experience, what the inspiration was to start Celebration of the Arts as an annual event, why this event is so important to artists in Hawaii, how Clifford became a cultural advisor, what that role entails, his advice to the next generation of cultural advisors in Hawaii, the different themes that the 2021 Celebration of the Arts will cover, and where people can learn more about how to experience this years virtual Celebration of the Arts.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Cole Hinueber, founder of the food truck Kitoko Maui. In this podcast Cole talks about what it was like opening a business in July of 2020, the challenge he faced opening early on in a pandemic, how he adapted from the kitchens of 5-star resorts to the space of a food truck, the importance of sourcing local ingredients, what it's been like to jump into the food truck industry, the challenges behind trying to open a restaurant on Maui, how the community has been supportive of Kitoko Maui since they opened, how his culinary path took him to France and then Maui, his advice for aspiring chefs, his favorite dish from Kitoko Maui, and the location + hours of the food truck.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Michael Jokovich, GM of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort. In this podcast Michael talks about working with the state in order to safely reopen in November of 2020, how after being closed for an extended period of time the excitement felt like opening a new resort, the encouraging results of the vaccines that could help the travel industry rebound in 2021, how a revised approach to tourism and avoiding overcrowding was a necessary component of reopening, what it was like to reopen The Feast At Mokapu, how multiple luau operations worked together with the mayor to present plans to open safely, why cultural education is a foundation of The Feast at Mokapu, his expectations for when leisure and group tourism numbers could rebound to pre-pandemic levels, how technology implemented since reopening has helped improve the guest experience, how the Andaz continues to support the local Maui community, and his recommendation to travelers who want to plan a trip to Maui.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Angela Vento, GM of the Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott Maui. In this podcast Angela talks arriving in Hawaii in 1989, how she went from pursing a dentist career to a career in the hospitality industry, what is has been like working in a male dominated industry, lessons she learned when her career took her from Hawaii to Boston and then back to Hawaii, her first reactions when the pandemic began to set in last March, why she prioritized staying in touch with Marriott employees during the shutdown, the importance of communication and accurate information during a situation like that, how the pretest rules have helped reopen tourism while keeping Maui safe over the past few months, how technology has enhanced service for guests, the new AC Marriott that will be opening in Wailea in April of 2021, and her advice for women who are looking to excel in the hospitality industry.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Dr. Meagan Jones, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Whale Trust. In this podcast Meagan talks about what inspired her to pursue a career in marine science, how she helped form the non profit organization Whale Trust to help support humpback whale research, the importance of science communication, the upcoming 15th annual Whale Tales event happening February 13th & 14th, the adaptations the event has had to make this year to go virtual due to the pandemic, how people can register and virtually attend, how the pandemic has created a unique environment for humpbacks in Hawaii and Alaska due to a drastic decrease in boat traffic, why it's important in Hawaii for people on kayaks & SUP boards to keep their distance from humpback whales, why humpbacks come to Hawaii each year, what her year is like balancing field research and data analysis, how she helped bring a marine sciences minor to UH Maui College, one fact about humpback whales that surprised her over her years of research, and how people can support both Whale Tales this weekend and Whale Trust in different ways over the next few weeks.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks to Denise Cohen, the former head of the UH Maui College Health Center. In this podcast Denise talks about her vast experience dealing with various pandemics dating back to the HIV crisis of the 1980's, helping UH Maui College set up their pandemic response program over 10 years ago, what the early response to Covid-19 was like, the effectiveness of the current vaccines, how the shortage of vaccine supply has temporarily slowed down distribution on Maui, why there is time between the first and second vaccine shots, how the vaccine works in your body, what anticipated timetables are for different groups to be vaccinated on Maui, and how the program has had to adapt to changes almost daily based on supply and new information.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Aaron Placourakis of Tri-Star Restaurant Group (which includes Nick's Fishmarket, Son'z Steakhouse, Manoli's Pizza Company, and Koho's). In this podcast Aaron talks about his career in the restaurant industry on Maui, his extensive work in the community, influences from his Greek heritage, how he approached the pandemic as a new challenge from a business perspective, why he helped lead the Maui Restaurant Hui to help the industry work together during the pandemic crisis, and why he's optimistic as restaurants move forward in 2021.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Makana Nunes who runs the Holiday Toy Drive for Maui United Way. In this podcast Makana talks about the challenges for non profit organizations in 2020, the history behind the holiday toy drive with Maui United Way, how this year has created a greater need for toy donations for families, how people can donate to the toy drive, why this is such a passion for her, and the different types of donations they distribute to different age groups.
NOTE: This will be our last podcast episode of 2020. We wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season!
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Maui-based cybersecurity expert Patrick Wardle. In this podcast Patrick talks about how he got into a career in tech, what brought him from New England to Maui, how studying at the University of Hawaii kick-started his career in tech, the difference in offensive and defensive hacking, how the pandemic has affected his job, how he hopes to help grow tech opportunities on Maui, and the advice he would give students who want to pursue a career in tech industries.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with the Executive Director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association Rod Antone. In this podcast Rod talks about the role of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, the importance of a diversified economy on Maui that doesn’t rely solely on tourism, how 2020 has been a reset to approach managed tourism in the future, a review of the current protocols in place in order for visitors to come to Maui, how hotels are creating safe environments for guests during their visit, the importance of returning residents to follow the same strict guidelines as visitors, how the tourism industry has been working with the Mayor to help keep the community safe as the island has opened up to tourism over the past few months, the importance of community partners that provide necessary testing on site when needed, and the expectations for visitor numbers over the December holiday season.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with the founder of Maui DJ Services Scott Doran. In this podcast Scott talks about moving from Ohio to Hawaii to pursue a job in the resort hospitality industry, leaving a corporate job after 6 years to start his own business, how he found a niche with Maui DJ Services, some of his early challenges and successes while growing the company, when he first started to recognize the impact of the pandemic on business earlier in the year, what it’s been like over the past month with weddings as Hawaii has reopened to travelers with a negative pretest, how wedding industry partners have been supportive of each other during a challenging time, & his business outlook on 2021.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Tin Roof Chef/Owner Sheldon Simeon. In this podcast Sheldon talks about his early culinary influences growing up in Hilo, how an internship in Florida led him to Maui, what it was like opening Star Noodle in 2010, how he ended up on Season 10 of Bravo’s Top Chef, the difference in cooking during a TV production vs a normal restaurant kitchen, what goes into developing a restaurant concept, how he and his wife opened Tin Roof in 2016, the importance of a restaurant having a relationship with the community, how he has dealt with the challenges of 2020, and the release of his new cookbook that will be out in March of 2021.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Hana Maui Resort GM Jon Benson. In this podcast Jon talks about his journey with Hyatt that has lasted 34 years (and counting), working at the Hyatt Regency in Ka’anapali 20 years ago, what it was like to move back to Maui for his current job, how the Hana Maui Resort has been the largest employer in Hana, the challenge the community faces with limited health resources, the reopening on the property this Friday November 20th, their approach to the restaurant and cultural components of the property, protocols that have been put in place to keep the staff and community safe, the advantage of being a property with large amounts of open air spaces, how their mask policy is non negotiable, and how 2020 has been a reset on how we can approach tourism in the future.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Thomas Kafsack of Surfing Goat Diary. In this podcast Thomas talks about what inspired him (along with his wife) to open the farm in 1998, the challenges they faced in growing the business, what makes their goat cheese unique, how they’ve handled the challenge of running a business in 2020, how the community has supported them along the way, and their hopes for the future of the farm.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Campbell Farrell of the non-profit organization Love The Sea. In this podcast Campbell talks about the goals of Love The Sea, the planning involved in their Hard To Reach Beach Cleanups, the challenges of working on inaccessible coastlines, how recent Love The Sea team member Brit Daniels hiked 170 miles around the island of Maui to raise awareness for our plastic pollution problem, how 2020 has affected the organization from an operations perspective, how people can support Love The Sea, and their goal to remove a hundred thousand pounds of marine debris in 2021 (and a million pounds in coordination with another organization).
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Hana Ranch manager Duane Lammers. In this podcast Duane talks about the history of the ranch, what brought him from South Dakota to Hana, the importance of have product diversity in agriculture, why Hana Ranch partnered with UH Maui College for an ulu (breadfruit) program, and his goal to keep the ranch thriving long into the future.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Nikki Boskoff, GM of Star Noodle. In this podcast Nikki talks about the inspiration behind opening Star Noodle ten years ago, bringing Chef Abby Ferrer onto the team, the importance of community events like the annual Empty Bowl fundraiser, how Star Noodle is reopening November 7th in the location previously occupied by Aloha Mixed Plate, an update on Aloha Mixed Plate / Leoda’s / Old Lahaina Luau, how Star Noodle will actually increase their capacity at their new location even under 50% dining rules, the increased sanitation processes they have implemented, and their hopes for the near future with Star Noodle.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Tetsuji Yamazaki, GM of the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa. In this podcast Tets talks about the steps the property has taken to reopen on November 1st, how the rest of Ka’anapali will be reopening over the next month, the safety protocols that will be in place at the Sheraton, how a negative pre-test is required to stay on property and move around, how properties across Ka’anapali used the time they were closed to do renovations, the importance of recognizing culture and history for the Sheraton, ways the property tries to lessen environmental impacts from tourism, and his advice to travelers who are planning a trip to Maui.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Lia Krieg, a regular performer with Maui On Stage. In this podcast Lia how she got into acting, her favorite roles in the past with Maui On Stage, how community theater productions driven by volunteers, the history of Iao Theater, how the pandemic impacted the theater in 2020, what it has been like with no theater outlet to perform since March, the one role she’d like to play one day, and how people can learn more about a special fundraiser being held by Maui On Stage this Saturday October 31st.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Greg Ames of TS Restaurants. In this podcast Greg talks about how TS restaurants began, how Kimo’s was the first restaurant opened in 1977, their heavy involvement in the community, how the group made decisions to add locations in Hawaii and California, the challenges they faced in opening new restaurants over the years, how 2020 has impacted their 13 restaurants, the decision making process on how and when to reopen each location, how Hula Grill will be the next to reopen on 10/23, the advantage each location has by being primarily open air concepts, and the importance of supporting of local agriculture.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Karen Christenson of Mama’s Fish House. In this podcast Karen talks about her parents living on a boat in the South Pacific for a few years before settling down on Maui, what it was like growing up in Lahaina during the 1960’s, how Mama’s Fish House was opened, how the restaurant supports sustainable fishing, their decision to launch meal kits this past month, how they will reopen on November 6th, adaptations they’ve made to deal with new dining rules, and how the Inn at Mama’s Fish House reopens this month.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Jeff Tarpey, the Hawaii regional manager for United Airlines. In this podcast Jeff talks about the safety adaptations United has made during the pandemic, how the airline went from 12 flights a day down to 1 for the past few months, how they will slowly begin to increase daily flights in and out of Maui, how United offered valid Covid tests at the airport for passengers traveling to Maui, the emphasis the airline has put on the United CleanPlus initiative, the decision to alert travelers ahead of time if their flight is 70% full (giving them the option to change if they want to), what the near future looks like for travel to Maui, advice for travelers before they fly, and how United is leading the way in sustainability by creating bio-fuel for part of their fleet.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino. In this podcast Mayor Victorino talks about slowly reopening higher risk businesses and activities, allowing commercial events to resume in outdoor settings, why Halloween will be different on Maui this year, the upcoming October 15th reopening to trans-pacific travel, why he supports having visitors take a 2nd test after they arrive into Maui County, the importance of enforcement for guests who have to quarantine, how the county would deal with a spike in cases, the status of inter-island travel, the economic benefit the island will go through as tourism slowly rebuilds, and the importance of small business support programs the county has made available.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Matias Besasso, CEO and co-founder of Rising Sun Solar. In this podcast Matias talks about how Rising Sun Solar started in 2003, the early challenges the business faced, how tax credits and subsidies have improved to allow more people to afford solar installations, how the efficiency of the technology has advanced over the last 15 years, the benefits a new installation at Maui Ocean Center will have, how the pandemic has affected Rising Sun Solar, why more people have been switching to solar in 2020 as electric bills have risen with so much time at home, and where he sees solor technology advancing over the next 10 years.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with wildlife biologist and science communicator Che Frausto, the founder of Advance Wildlife Education. In this podcast Che explains why he started Advance Wildlife Education, the importance of science communicators, his background in biology, why he decided to make his books accessible in multiple languages, how the pandemic has impacted his ability to be at in-person cultural events, why he decided to launch an app for Advance Wildlife Education, and how the local Maui community can help seabirds in distress.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Kelly King of Pacific Biodiesel. In this podcast Kelly talks about the influence of her parents growing up, how she got into volunteering and community service, the inspiration to start Pacific Biodiesel, the early breakthroughs that gave Pacific Biodiesel long term potential, how the pandemic has affected business operations, the importance of diversified agriculture on Maui, and her advice to young women pursuing their goals.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks to Andrienne Schatz of Book Trust - a non profit that delivers books to students who may otherwise not be able to afford them. In this podcast Adrienne explains what the Book Trust non profit organization is, how the idea started, the results they have seen in classrooms across the country, how the organization has grown from three classrooms to twenty-one states (including Hawaii), how they’ve adapted in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, and how people can support students and teachers through the Book Trust organization.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Chef/Restaurateur Peter Merriman. In this podcast Peter talks about how the past 5 months have been for the restaurant industry, what has (and has not) worked in terms of financial support from government programs, the challenge with some of the restrictions that have been put in place for restaurants that reopen, the benefits of having an outdoor or open air location, the decision that went into reopening Merriman’s Kapalua, where he thinks government guidance for restaurants could be improved, the concept of resort bubbles, what will go into the decision to eventually reopen Monkeypod Kitchen, and his outlook on the industry for the next 6-12 months.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks to Michael Pye, the General Manager of the Fairmont Kea Lani. In this podcast Michael talks about growing up in Canada, his passion to care for the environment, the importance of sharing culture for the property, working with Chef Tylun Pang, what it was to have to close the resort in March, how the property stayed helped the community over the past 6 months, the attention to mental health for employees during a challenging time, the importance of testing in order to slowly reopen tourism, the safety protocols the resort will put into place, how the tourism industry will have to be a managed recovery, the responsibilities guests will have while traveling in the Covid era, and how much notice the property needs in order to properly re-open for guests in 2020.
** Disclaimer: this interview was recorded just prior to Governor Ige announcing October 15th as the new date for the pre-travel testing program to begin
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with MiJin Kang Toride of Lineage. In this podcast MiJin talks about her early culinary influences in Guam and South Korea, how she went to college to be an accountant but then changed career paths, her first jobs in the culinary industry, joining Lineage in August 2019, what it’s like transitioning into leading a well known restaurant, how the pandemic affected Lineage early on, adaptations the restaurant made to reopen, her advice to aspiring chefs, the importance of learning the economics of food costs if you want to run a restaurant, and her favorite item on the Lineage menu.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with farmer James Simpliciano. In this podcast James talks about learning about farming early on from his family, the soil difference in West Maui compared to other parts of the island, the challenges with agriculture in West Maui, the importance of growing Kalo/Taro, what the Maui Third Wave agriculture venture which incorporates traditional farming methods, the importance of developing local products like fertilizer at a large scale, his advice to the next generation to encourage them to pursue agriculture as a career, what it was like seeing the new West Side farmer’s market have it’s first event at Lahaina Jodo Mission a few weeks ago, and his advice for anyone looking to start their own backyard farm.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Brian Yano, GM & Group Property Manager for JLL on Maui. In this podcast Brian talks growing up on Oahu, moving to the mainland and then back to Maui years later, how covid-19 has had an impact on Maui shopping centers, how he had time to prepare for the pandemic on Maui since his company had locations in areas that had been impacted sooner, how centers went about reopening in a safe manner, adaptations that have been made including contactless shopping, what it was like opening a restaurant in the Outlets of Maui in the middle of a pandemic, how this situation compares to previous economic recessions, what he found worked (and didn’t work) during the reopening process, and his outlook on the next 6-12 months for retail.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino. In this podcast Mayor Victorino talks about growing up on the Big Island and then moving to Maui, how giving back to the community has always been instilled in his family, how some personal hardships have helped with leadership, what the decision making process was like early on in the pandemic, how the county aggressively looked at providing support programs for local businesses, the success of the Kama’aina First program, the idea of shifting away from an economy that is fully dependent on tourism, the importance of growing agriculture on Maui into the future, how Covid-19 testing has evolved from April until now, the concept of the resort bubble proposal, how managed tourism will be important in the future to help lessen environmental impacts, and how he finds peace in decision making with those that might disagree with him.
Note: This interview was recorded on Tuesday August 25th. All testing numbers and statistics referenced are up until that date
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with cofounders of Jenny Miller of the Maui Humane Society. In this podcast Jenny talks about the history of the organization, different scenarios of animal rescue, matching sheltered animals with new families, the challenges of being an animal shelter on an island, how the pandemic impacted their operations, how they began donating over 2,000 pounds of pet food to local families, how one employee extended her generosity to the community during a difficult time, how the humane society prepares for emergencies such as hurricanes, the challenges with fundraising in 2020, their Clear the Shelters event that’s going on August 23rd – 29th, the popular beach buddies program that they hope to resume at a later date, and why it’s important to “adopt don’t shop.”
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Scott Raines and Melissa Arnold, the co-founders of Westside Bagel. In this podcast Scott and Melissa talk about what brought them to Maui from the east coast, how they work well together as a team, what inspired them to start making bagels in their own kitchen, how they first started to see business potential, how they began making bagels to sell on weekends, the decision for them both to leave their full time jobs to open a bagel shop in Lahaina, some of their early challenges after opening Westside Bagel, what advice they would give to people who are in a relationship that want to open a business together, when they first started to realize the impact Covid-19 would have, how they’ve adapted since reopening in May to stay open, and their favorite item on the menu to have.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Chantal Ratte of the non-profit organization Ka Lima O Maui. In this podcast Chantal talks about the mission of Ka Lima O Maui (providing job training and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities), the importance of a paycheck for the people they help, her path that started in 1993 as an accountant that led her to become Executive Director of the organization, how Ka Lima O Maui is building a brand new facility for the organization (and those that it helps), the unique budget setup of their non-profit, and why the groundbreaking for their new facility was such a special day.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media talks to the chef/owner of FOND Jojo Vasquez. In this podcast Jojo talks about his early influences in cooking, his culinary background that took him from his hometown of Chicago to Atlanta and Los Angeles, the importance of knowing your self worth, what brought him to Maui, his experience working with Iron Chef Morimoto, the process he went through to open FOND, the inspiration behind the restaurant name, his advice to anyone looking to open their own restaurant, his process for creating a menu, what it was like to receive the 2020 Aipono Award for Best New Restaurant, what it was liking being named the Aipono Chef of the Year in 2017, the importance of being involved in the community, how the pandemic has affected FOND, the adaptations he has made to keep the restaurant open, and his predictions for what the restaurant industry will look like over the next year.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks to Marc Bromley - the General Manager of the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. In this podcast Marc talks about his career that took him in part through Washington DC and Costa Rica, how he wanted to create his own path separate of his father who worked in the same industry, how crises management requires good relationships (and how that has been crucial during Covid-19), the expectations of lower occupancy immediately after the property eventually does reopen, how the health standards at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea go above government standards, the use of room filtration similar to an aircraft that will give guests peace of mind while staying in their room, how he’s learned from other tourism destinations around the world who are in different phases of recovery, the importance of flexibility for a reopening date as the quarantine rules continue, how the layout of the property is beneficial in providing guests with access to outdoor experiences and dining, how the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea is working with private labs on the mainland to help guests get proper testing within the 3 day exemption period that could begin in early September, and what silver linings he has found during the past 5 months.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media is joined by Ka’anapali Golf Courses PGA Director of Golf Sutee Nitakorn. In this podcast Sutee talks about how he turned golf into a career, how his path took him from intern at Ka’anapali Golf Courses to the Director of Golf over the years, the role of his job (it’s not just playing golf), how he aims to make Ka’anapali Golf Courses unique, the importance of creativity in the golf industry, the early impacts of the pandemic in 2020, how golf was able to be one of the industries that opened up a little sooner, how Ka’anapali Golf Courses stays involved in the community (including the annual Keiki Tilapia Fishing Tournament), what his favorite holes are to play, and why he thinks the golf industry has exploded in popularity over the past few decades.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media is joined by Mala Ocean Tavern General Manager Caleb Hopkins and Marketing Director Ashley Davis. In this podcast Caleb and Ashley talk about how they each ended up on Maui as part owners of Mala Ocean Tavern, the decision making process when the ownership changed over from Mark Elman to their team, how they approach Mala Ocean Tavern differently from Down The Hatch (which their group owns as well), their advice for those looking to form business partnerships, why the Maui No Ka Oi Magazine Aipono Awards are important to them, how they first dealt with the initial Covid-19 impacts in March, the adaptations they’ve had to make this summer in order to reopen, and the inspiration to launch their new Chef Takeover series that they’ll host every Tuesday in August.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Maui County Economic Development Director JoAnn Inamasu. In this podcast JoAnn talks about growing up on Kauai, her work for previous government administrations, what she learned from working 5 years in the private sector, what her job entails, how the county provides resources for small business development including for those who wants to start a new business, how the office helps for those who are looking for a new job, how the Kama’aina First program is supporting local businesses, what the qualifications are for the newly announced $3M recovery fund for Maui County small businesses, the success of the annual Made In Maui festival, and describes other programs the county supports for businesses and individuals.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with CEO and co-founder of Maui Brewing Company Garrett Marrero. In this podcast Garrett talks about growing the Maui Brewing Company business so quickly, his dedication to using local products whenever possible, the decision early on to distribute beer in cans instead of bottles, the importance of innovation for a business, how they utilized solar energy to be electricity grid independent, why efficiency is necessary for a business, how they have coped in 2020 as a business with the pandemic, their decision to make sanitizer early on (and the unusual legal opposition they had after doing so), the challenges with outdated legislation in the alcohol industry on Maui, why he teamed up with other restaurant owners to form the Maui Restaurant Hui, their goal to help support restaurants and their employees in this difficult time, the challenges for Maui Brewing Company and other restaurants as they begin to reopen, and his hopes for the future.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with State Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English. In this podcast Senator English talks about growing up in Hana, pursuing a Master’s degree in Pacific Island Studies, why he decided to first run for office in his 20’s, what the role of a State Senator is, why sea level rise is such an important issue for him, how sea level rise affects the road to Hana and how he approaches different phases of a solution, the early decision making process he went through during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic (including closing the road to Hana and working on food distribution for the East Maui community), the decision to reopen the road in July, some of the factors that contribute to the ongoing decision making in regards to any reopening of Maui (and the state), how this pandemic has led to a shift in how we approach the tourism industry, his hope to implement a traffic management system going forward for the road to Hana in particular that would lessen congestion in East Maui while providing more opportunity for revenue into the local economy, and what advice he would give someone from the younger generation that is interested in running for public office.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with farmer Brandon Sato of Kula Onions Etc. In this podcast Brandon talks about the history of farming in his family dating back to the 1930’s, how the farm has evolved from his grandfather to today, how he supplies restaurants on Oahu and Maui with his produce, how he learned early on that Covid-19 was going to have a major impact on agriculture, the decisions he had to make with his farm as restaurants began closing in March, how he donated 2,500 pounds of food from his farm this past Easter, what the decision making process will look like as he assesses how much food he should begin planting as restaurants slowly reopen, the importance of diversifying products as a farmer, how farm size impacts your distribution potential, the importance (and challenges) of getting more younger farmers into agriculture on Maui, and he speaks to the efforts of farmers who have continued to provide food to the community during these challenging times in 2020.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks to the Sue Johnson of Team Rubicon, a non-profit veteran response organization. In this podcast Sue talks about what Team Rubicon does, how the organization began, how skills learned in the military help veterans contribute to disaster relief efforts after they leave the military, how Team Rubicon gives veterans a sense of community and support, how Team Rubicon has helped communities with response to Covid-19, how they teach members new skills, and what their goals are for the future.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks to the General Manager of Napili Kai Beach Resort Gregg Nelson. In this podcast Gregg talks about the 60 year history of the Napili Kai Beach Resort, how the original owners were able to keep all buildings in Napili no larger than 2 stories, the work of the Napili Kai Foundation within the Maui community, how Napili Kai Beach resort has helped with conservation efforts in Napili Bay, how the property has remained open throughout all of 2020, the origins of the Sea House Restaurant on property, how the rest of 2020 could look for the property, the challenges in the testing process in order lift the 14 day quarantine, and how Napili Kai Beach Resort will be prepared once tourism does begin to pick back up on Maui.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media talks to Chef Alvin Savella ("The Kitchen Assassin") of Humuhumu at the Grand Wailea Maui. In this podcast Alvin talks about his early influences of cooking from his family, when he first knew he wanted to pursue a career in the culinary world, spending 10 years in California going to culinary school and working in the industry, how catering for large events like the Grammy’s taught him patience, what brought him back to Maui, how he’s become a social media success, the impact social media has had on restaurants, his experience competing on a Food Network show, how he approaches his menus, some challenges he has had to work through while developing menu ideas, what it was like to win the Aipono Awards Chef of the Year in 2018, how he has dealt with the events of 2020, the community outreach that he and the Grand Wailea Maui have done while being temporarily closed, and his hopes for the future of the restaurant industry.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media talks to elite waterman and professional athlete Zane Schweitzer.. In this podcast Zane talks about his families history in water sports, what it was like growing up on Maui surrounded by so much talent in the water, how the popularity of SUP opened up new opportunities for him, how he first realized a career as an athlete was possible, why he uses his platform to promote ocean conservation, why the topic of plastic pollution is so important to him, how he decided to ensure his sponsors support similar conservation practices, how we all have choices each day that can help make our planet a better place, what some of his challenges were early on for the business side of being a professional athlete and managing his own brand, his advice to kids who want to try a career in surfing or other water sports, his advice to parents who think their kid has potential to make a career out of water sports, his experience of flying when suddenly borders began closing in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in March, how he’s dealing with travel restrictions in 2020 and adapting his brand in a time when contests have been cancelled for most of the year, and what it’s been like being featured on a new documentary featured on Netflix.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks to Jeremy Solyns of Nylos Restaurant in Paia. In this podcast Jeremy talks about growing up in Ohio with a family that had a love for food, how that translated into his culinary style at Nylos, how he first got into cooking, how he ended up moving to Maui in 2007, what the past few months have been like as the owner of a fine dining restaurant, how he is looking to adapt in the meantime while the restaurant is temporarily closed, his hope for the future of Nylos Restaurant, the importance of the tourism economy to Maui businesses, and different scenarios he could see for the future of fine dining establishments.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks to Gunars Valkirs of Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate. In this podcast Gunars talks about his career in biotechnology, how his parents were able to escape the war in Europe and come to the United States, his first job in biotech, his career that includes patents for major advances in biotech medicine, his hope for the development of a Covid-19 vaccine, an explanation of how that process works, the difference between GMO and biotech, why he started the Makana Aloha Foundation to make a difference in the Maui community, how Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate helps to grow the foundation, how Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate is a completely sustainable facility, the development of new chocolate releases, what makes Maui chocolate so unique, and how the past few months have affected Maui Ku’ia Estate Chocolate.
Jason Evans from SilverShark Media talks to Nicholas Winfrey of the Maui United Way. In this podcast Nick discusses the history of the Maui United Way, how the Maui United Way helps the Maui community, how they have adapted to the past few months to utilize their resources to help those in need, projects the Maui United Way had worked on prior to Covid-19 including financial support for displaced workers and a holiday toy drive for Maui children, their 3 year community impact grants that were recently announced, challenges that the Maui United Way and other non profits face, why it’s important for non profit organizations to work together, and their goals for the future.
Jason Evans from SilverShark Media talks to Maggie Pulver of the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC). In this podcast Maggie discusses the history of Kaho’olawe, the condition of the island when it was transferred back to the state of Hawaii from the US military, how access on island is split into three different zones, how KIRC prioritizes restoration projects, how the volunteer process works to get over to Kaho’olawe, the work that volunteer groups take part in on island, what it was like dealing with a major fire in February of 2020, how Covid-19 has impacted workflow, how to become a volunteer, how the community can donate items that can be put to use on Kaho’olawe, and the goals for KIRC in the future including building a new educational community center on Maui.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine is joined by GM Michael Jokovich of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort for a follow up to their conversation in early April (Podcast Episode #3). In this podcast Michael talks about how the decision making process for resorts has evolved since early April, how they are targeting August 1st as a new reopening date, why the mandatory 14 day arrival quarantine will determine the potential for resorts to reopen, the idea of testing visitors for Covid-19 as part of a reopening plan, how the resorts have adapted to new safety and sanitation measures for when they do open back up, the challenge for properties to open to extremely low occupancy, the affect the past 3 months have had on resorts in Hawaii, how new airline capacity restrictions will bring fewer people to Hawaii over the next year, how properties in Hawaii are studying other tourist locations that have reopened already to learn what has worked well, what the Andaz experience will be like when they do reopen, and if there are any silver linings that have surfaced during this difficult time.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks to Qiana DiBari of Sale Pepe. In this podcast Qiana talks about how she and her husband Michele opened Sale Pepe in 2014, their commitment to authenticity with slow cooked food, Michele’s background growing up in Italy, Qiana’s background growing up in Brooklyn, her time managing famed hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest, their first visit to Hawaii and why they got married on Maui, the decision to open a new restaurant together on Maui, how they felt the impacts of Covid-19 from their guests in early March, what it’s been like handling the past few months, how they are adapting as the restaurant has recently reopened, how proud they are of the community for showing support during the global protests, and their hopes for the future.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media talks with Yvonne McClean, the community relations director at Habitat For Humanity on Maui. In this podcast Yvonne explains the overall mission of Habitat Maui, how future homeowners are selected to receive housing, the importance of volunteers to the construction process, how the families of each homeowner help with their own projects, how progress has been slowed but not stopped in the past few months with Covid-19, ways they are shifting practices as new regulations and limitations have to be considered with their projects, their ReStore facility that accepts donations from the public and utilizes those materials for future projects, their work with the Kahoma project in Lahaina and with Hawaiian Homelands up in Kula, and how people can volunteer to help with current and future projects.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media talks with Kimberly & Byron Brown of Akamai Coffee. In this podcast Kimberly & Byron talk about the inspiration behind Akamai Coffee, how it took 2.5 years to open up her first location, how they utilized local Maui resources to help them launch, how they managed a new business during the economic downtown in 2007-2008, how they began to roast their own coffee that is grown on Maui, the business decisions to keep prices controlled as their product became more expensive to produce, how they have dealt with the past few months as Covid-19 had a global impact, the importance of local businesses helping each other during these times, and how they will look to adapt as the island opens up more and more.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks with Daniel Chun - the director of sales, community, and public relations for Alaska Airlines. In this podcast Daniel talks about growing up on Oahu, some of the factors that drew him to work with Alaska Airlines such as their diversity and support for local communities, how they've had to adapt how they stay involved with the community during the past few months, their goal to provide one million meals to families in this time of need, how Alaska Airlines has been impacted by Covid-19, how Alaska Airlines wants to reassure that passengers can be confident in their cleaning and safety protocols, how the 14 day quarantine will determine when normal flight routes will return, the importance of evolving the future of tourism in Hawaii, and what the near-future of air travel could be like.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks the principal partner / operator of Taverna, Chris Kaiwi. In this podcast Chris talks about growing up on Oahu, the decision to move out of state for a little while, coming back to Hawaii to help open Chart House Kahului, what it was like opening Pineapple Grill in 2005, his transition to Taverna with Chef Roger Stettler, the inspiration for Taverna, what it has been like for his restaurant to handle the past few months, how Taverna has donated meals to the community during this challenging time, the need to be innovative as businesses slowly begin to reopen, how his childhood influences helped to mold his approach to business, and the inspiration behind the Deborah Anne Drysdale-Kaiwi Scholarship that has been presented to UH Maui College culinary students.
With gyms and fitness centers beginning to reopen in June on Maui, Jason Evans of SilverShark Media talks with Beth Ross of Anytime Fitness Lahaina. In this podcast Beth explains how she and her husband Kalani got the inspiration to open a fitness center in West Maui, the challenges they went through in finding a location, how word of mouth helped build their client base early on, what it was like being forced to temporarily close their business in March, how they already tried to be proactive with cleanliness & sanitation in their facility, ensuring their members would not be charged while they were shutdown, how they wrote letters to the Mayor to provide information on how they could safely reopen, the excitement of hearing that gyms may be allowed to open sooner than originally expected, how they will adapt to new regulations and standards going forward, and why community outreach has been such a large priority for them especially during these challenging times.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media talks about the past, present, and future of Trilogy Excursions with LiAnne Coon (Director of Sales & Marketing) and what it's like to run a destination management company in 2020 with Frank Robinson of Island Events. In this podcast LiAnne shares how Trilogy began over 45 years ago with a boat that took sail from Alaska, how her father and uncle created a unique partnership with the kupuna of Lanai, how the fleet expanded from the 1 original boat to the 7 vessels today, the dynamics of working within a family business, the challenges of removing emotions from business decisions over the years, how Trilogy ownership was passed down to the next generation at the end of 2019, how the new family ownership has handled the Covid-19 situation, the challenges they're dealing with while they wait for permission to reopen, how Trilogy has made a huge impact in cleaning Maui beaches and waters with their Blue Aina campaign, why it's important for their company to be involved in community efforts, and what the goals are for the future of Trilogy Excursions. Jason also speaks with Frank Robinson (27:14) on how he created Island Events, why he moved to Hawaii over 20 years ago, what a destination management company (DMC) does, why he wanted to create his own company, how he overcame the fear of starting a new business, how DMC's work together with dozens of other businesses on Maui, how he handled the initial impact of Covid-19 where corporate groups had to immediate cancel trips that had been set up over a year in advance, the impact those cancelled groups will have on the Maui economy, what the future of event planning and corporate travel might look like, and how he's trying to sort out creative ways to navigate solutions for companies that travel with larger groups.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks to the president of Maui Wine Paula Hegele and one of the co-founders of Kids Cook With Heart, Sharon Saunders. In this podcast Paula talks about what brought her to Hawaii in 1980, her first job on Maui with Tedeschi Winery, what it was like for her to take over that business, being an entrepreneur on Maui, how the vineyard at Maui Wine has grown, what makes Maui Wine unique, the challenges of growing wine on Maui, the deep history of the location, her support for the UH Maui College innovation center, how the shutdown has affected the business during a time where they are still harvesting, and her expectations for how Maui Wine might need to adapt when they can reopen. Diane also speaks to philanthropist Sharon Saunders (32:27) about why she and her husband get involved with non profit work, how they began Kids Cook With Heart, how well known chefs on Maui have donated their time to work with students who participate in the program, how the organization has engaged local schools on Maui, how they aim to expand across the island, and how people can get involved to support Kids Cook With Heart.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Managing Director JP Oliver (Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort) & the President of the board for the Maui County Farm Bureau Teena Rasmussen. In this podcast JP talks about being here to help open up the Grand Wailea property 29 years ago and then returning in 2018 as Managing Director, what it's like overseeing over 1,400 employees on property, how he approached temporarily closing the resort in March in response to Covid-19, the importance of helping employees during the closure, donating food and goods to the community, how the property has embraced the Hawaiian culture, how they introduced the Aloha Pledge to guests in late 2019, what goes into the process of reopening the resort, and his expectations for how the property will adapt in the near-term after they reopen. Diane also speaks to the President of the board for the Maui County Farm Bureau Teena Rasmussen (24:57) about how she first came to Maui at age 20 to help with her parents flower farm, how she ended up working as the Director of Economic Development for Maui County for 8 years, why she helped start the Made In Maui festival, her transition to the Maui County Farm Bureau, what it has been like handling the pandemic with local farmers, how Maui County has supported farmers with purchases during this time, the importance of sustainable agriculture on Maui, and her advice for people looking to get into farming on Maui.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media covers topics of conservation on land and in the ocean with Scott Fisher & Dr. Rachel Cartwright. In this podcast Scott explains the work of the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (HILT) statewide and on Maui, how HILT protects important animal habitat, the importance of the Waihe'e Coastal Dunes & Wetlands Refuge, how HILT protects important cultural sites and artifacts, their outreach efforts in educating the community on their work, why they chose to keep certain lands open during the stay at home situation, and what the goals of HILT are for the future. Jason also speaks to Dr. Rachel Cartwright (25:25) about her work with the humpback whale research organization the Keiki Kohola Project, what a typical day of research on the water is like during whale season, how technology has advanced research over the years, changes she has seen over the past few decades with whale habitat and behavior, how different ecosystems such as those in Hawaii and Alaska are interconnected for humpbacks, what a typical year is like for migrating humpback whales that visit Hawaiian waters, why humpbacks prefer some areas to others in Maui waters, and how the elimination of heavy boat traffic worldwide during Covid-19 could benefit ocean habitats.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks with chef Taylor Ponte & sales and marketing director (KBH) John White. In this podcast Taylor talks about his reaction to winning the recently announced 2020 Maui No Ka Oi Magazine Chef of the Year award, his inspiration to get into cooking, the experience he had at UH Maui College, what he learned during his internship with chef Jonathan Mizukami, what he learned working with chef Jeff Scheer, what it was like being named Executive Chef at The Mill House, how the Chef's Table at The Mill House was conceived, his approach to constructing a menu, and his initial expectations for what the restaurant will be like when it's allowed to reopen. Diane also speaks with sales & marketing director John White (26:50) about the origins of Ka'anapali Beach Hotel, what the decision making process is like on when and how to reopen the property, how employees are helping with crafts that will be used in each renovated hotel room, how ownership decided to keep everyone on payroll during the stay at home order, why they moved their reopening date to July 1st, and how they've used this time for construction on a new oceanfront restaurant.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media talks sustainability in restaurants with Alexa Caskey & underwater photography with Dan Cesere. In this podcast Alexa reacts to winning the 2020 Maui No Ka Oi Magazine Aipono Award for Most Sustainable Restaurant, discusses the inspiration to open Moku Roots, how she wanted to be a zero waste restaurant, how they creatively found ways to avoid using materials like plastic, the relationship between the restaurant and local farmers, the biggest challenge of opening Moku Roots, how the community instantly supported their vegan / vegetarian menu and zero waste model, what it's been like the past few months during the stay at home situation, what her expectations are for restaurants in the near future, and what her favorite dish is on the menu. Jason also speaks to Dan Cesere (20:46) about underwater photography, how he and his brothers first got into scuba diving, why they moved to Maui in 2003, making the leap from dive instructors to full time artists at local art shows, how they adapted their approach to photography early on, taking the chance on opening a gallery on Maui, his favorite dive in Maui waters, what it's like working with a humpback whale research group here on Maui, how he and his brother film underwater video for global productions and how that has helped their approach to photography, their biggest challenge as a business, dealing with the stay at home order as an artist / art gallery on Maui, and Dan describes his favorite photo in the gallery.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks with chef Tylun Pang and chancellor Lui Hokoana. In this podcast Tylun talks about winning the first ever Aipono Award Chef of the Year in 2002, growing up on Oahu, his inspiration to begin cooking, some of his early jobs in the culinary industry, what shaped his inspiration for Kō, why it was important to him to incorporate so many different cultures in the menu, winning the Aipono Awards 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award, why he created a scholarship for the culinary program at UH Maui College, the holiday menu he made for Maui No Ka Oi Magazine, his favorite dish on the Kō menu, why it's important to have an experience while dining, what it was like creating a cookbook, how he thinks dining could change and adapt in the near-future, who his mentor was, his advice for aspiring chefs, and how he's helping to create meal boxes for over a thousand furloughed employees of multiple resort properties. Diane also speaks with UH Maui College chancellor Dr. Lui Hokoana (34:06) about growing up on Maui, why he wanted to get into education, what it was like becoming chancellor, how UH Maui college had to adapt during Covid-19, how the college continues to provide services for students, how they came to the decision to have a virtual commencement in June, how he thinks education could evolve after the stay at home situation ends, and what the campus could look like later this year during the fall semester.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media covers ocean science topics with Tapani Vuori & the importance of fitness with Lysha Kamisato Wernig. In this podcast Tapani explains how the Maui Ocean Center came to be in 1998, how they help the water quality of Ma'alaea Harbor, the effort to incorporate Hawaiian culture throughout the aquarium, their focus on endemic species, why they started a non-profit to help with turtle conservation and educational outreach, what makes Ma'alaea a higher risk area for water quality, how they created the innovative Humpbacks of Hawaii experience, how they aim to be a sustainable aquarium, how they've adapted during the stay at home situation, how the waters are getting a break from heavy boat traffic during April & May, and why sustainable tourism is important for the future. Jason also speaks to Lysha Kamisato Wernig (29:17) about her early introduction to fitness, why she used her Miss Maui platform to promote health & nutrition, how after being originally hesitant to try yoga it changed her life, the inspiration to start a fitness company on her own, what it was like becoming an ambassador for Lululemon, why fitness is so important during the stay at home order for physical and mental health, how virtual classes are opening the door for people to try new fitness genres, why she decided to offer free virtual classes on Maui during the stay at home situation, and her advice for people who haven't been able to be as active during this time.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks with chef Lee Anne Wong and farmer Manu Vinciguerra. In this podcast Lee Anne talks about what brought her from New York City to Hawaii, why she switched from pursuing a career in fashion to one in the culinary industry, what it was like being part of the first season of Bravo's Top Chef TV series, how she stayed on the series to help produce future seasons, how Top Chef paved the way for other cooking competition shows, how food-based television has influenced restaurants, what inspired her to open Koko Head Cafe in Honolulu, why she came from Oahu to Maui, what her vision is to revamp the restaurant at the Pioneer Inn on Maui, how she's using the stay-at-home time to prep for it's reopening, and what her expectations are for the immediate future of dining. Diane also speaks with Manu Vinciguerra of Kumu Farms (24:08) about how she made her way from Italy to Hawaii, why she moved first to Molokai, what got her into farming with Kumu Farms, how she came from Molokai to Maui, the challenges of farming in Hawaii, why it's important to buy local, how Kumu Farms adapted to make more produce boxes during the Covid-19 situation, how the community has come out to support Kumu Farms and utilize their products in this time, the ways people can purchase and pick up produce at Kumu Farms, how Kumu Farms is donating food to different causes including current front line workers, and why she looks at this situation with an optimistic future.
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media talks with Peter Merriman & Joey Macadangdang. In this podcast Peter talks about how he came to Hawaii in 1983 to be a cook, how he immediately fell in love with the local cuisine, what it was like opening his first restaurant, what brought him to Maui, the inspiration to open up Merriman's Kapalua, the important connection of agriculture to his restaurants, why he takes staff to meet farmers, why he started Monkeypod Kitchen, what the past month has been like during the stay at home situation, how his restaurants are helping furloughed employees, how current stimulus programs like the Payment Protection Program didn't fully consider the restaurant industry when distributing grants to businesses at this time, how an industry like airlines benefited substantially more than restaurant owners, and his outlook for the immediate future of the restaurant industry. Jason also speaks with Chef/Owner Joey Macadangdang (26:58) on his early inspirations of cooking, how he moved from dishwasher to Executive Chef, the lessons he learned in the industry from his time at Roy's, his confidence to open Joey's Kitchen, the difference in his Ka'anapali location and his Napili location, how he'd define his flavors, how the Covid-19 situation has affected his business, why it's important for the community to support local, what it was like to receive the Friends of Agriculture award in 2019 at the Maui No Ka Oi Magazine Aipono Awards, what his expectations are for restaurants in the near-future, and his hope to open a new dining concept/location in late 2020.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks with dressmaker Jennifer Oberg & resort GM Michael Jokovich. In this podcast Jennifer talks about her history as a dressmaker (atelier), her work in Hollywood for 10 years in the film and tv industry, her move to Maui in 2001, why she immediately decided to turn from making dresses to masks during the Covid-19 pandemic, how the community jumped in to help with logistics, how she's been able to mimic N95 masks and her goal to make 10,000 of them, and how people can help with fundraising or volunteering. Diane also speaks with Michael Jokovich of the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort (14:40) about how he went from housekeeping manager in 1985 at the Hyatt to GM decades later, the difficult decision to close the resort during Covid-19, what the Hyatt and Andaz are doing to stay productive while closed, the expectations for visitor arrivals when travel ramps back up, how the Andaz helped with donations / food packages for colleagues, the biggest challenges during this shut down, and how the property has been kupuna in the community
Jason Evans of SilverShark Media talks with Shay Smith (one of the owners of Ocean Vodka) & Michael Moore (one of the owners of Old Lahaina Luau). In this podcast Shay talks about how Ocean Organic Vodka went from a family idea into a global business, what went into developing a quality product without experience in the industry, the challenges of getting Ocean Vodka on the shelves for people to purchase, the initial impact of Covid-19 to the business, how Ocean Vodka turned part of it's distillery into manufacturing 25,000 bottles of hand sanitizer that has been donated to the front lines of Maui's community, why it's important to buy local especially in challenging times, and how to contact Ocean Vodka for their new hand sanitizer. Jason also speaks with Michael Moore from the Old Lahaina Luau (17:07) about how Old Lahaina Luau started in 1986, the early challenges of starting a business, why they moved to their current location of Moalii, their decision to keep the luau as true to Hawaiian culture as possible, getting employees to believe in the vision of luau, the community involvement over the years of Old Lahaina Luau, what steps they had to take with Covid-19 and the difficulty of temporarily closing with so many employees, and how the future may dictate changes in their business.
Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks with Chef Kyle Kawakami and farmer Monica Bogar. In this podcast Kyle discusses his path from zoology into a culinary career, why he decided to launch a food truck (Maui Fresh Streatery), how he wanted his food truck to be connected to a community, his Aloha Tip Jar that helps people in need on Maui, how he's had to adapt his business with Covid-19 impacts, how he has stayed engaged helping the community during this time, his hope for the future, and he reflects on winning the Chef of the Year award in 2019 at the Maui No Ka Oi Magazine 'Aipono Awards. Diane also speaks with Monica Bogar of Napili Flo Farm (27:57) about her award winning locally made kimchi, how she started her microgreen farm and went chef to chef to grow her business, why she changed over to making kimchi, the health benefits of fermented products, and her advice for entrepreneurs.
Maui No Ka Oi Magazine and SilverShark Media are proud to present a new Maui-based podcast beginning April 14th. The podcast will feature interviews with community leaders, industry experts, and small business owners as they adapt and cope with unprecedented times on Maui. We want this to be informative, insightful, and inspirational to listeners as we share stories of ways our island community is working together. New podcast episodes will be released every Tuesday & Thursday beginning April 14th.