Keep it Aloha
Keep it Aloha is a Hawaii-based podcast hosted by Kamaka Dias. He talks with influential figures from Hawaii and beyond about their lives and the local culture. Each episode goes deeper into guests' personal stories and experiences. Together they explore what it truly means to keep it aloha.
Episodes
Hawaii’s Big-Wave Surfing Champion on Fear, Family & Jaws | Billy Kemper Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 249)
Billy Kemper is a professional surfer and one of the most accomplished big-wave surfers of his generation from the island of Maui.He’s a four-time Peʻahi Challenge champion at Jaws, a Big Wave World Champion, and has earned major wins at some of Hawaiʻi’s most iconic waves, including Sunset Beach and Pipeline.After suffering a life-threatening wipeout in Morocco that left him with multiple serious
How a Hawaii Walk-On Made It to the NFL | Rich Miano Keep It Aloha (Ep. 248)
Rich Miano is a former professional football player, coach, mentor, and broadcaster from the island of Oʻahu.After walking on to the University of Hawaiʻi football team, he worked his way into becoming one of the top defensive backs in program history, earning First Team All-WAC honors twice and All-America recognition before being selected by the New York Jets in the 1985 NFL Draft.He went on to
Sharing Hawaii’s Stories Through Podcasting | Taisei & Kenji Lee Keep It Aloha (Ep. 247)
Taisei & Kenji Lee are entrepreneurs, storytellers, and brothers from the island of O'ahu.Taisei spent nearly two decades in the restaurant and hospitality industry, eventually becoming the General Manager of Roy’s Ko Olina.Kenji is filmmaker, videographer, producer, and storyteller. He also carried on their family business, Swiss Inn Dressing, continuing a recipe and legacy that had been
How a Pro Surfer Built AVVA to Share Aloha Worldwide | Kekoa Cazimero Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 246)
Kekoa Cazimero is a professional surfer and entrepreneur from the island of Oʻahu. He’s also the founder of AVVA, a Hawaiʻi-born brand built around surf, culture, and sharing aloha with the world.More than four years after first joining the podcast on Episode 13, Kekoa is back to catch up on everything that’s changed — from building AVVA and navigating injuries to fatherhood, growth, and what’s ne
How a Kid from Hawaii Became a 2x MLB Gold Glove Winner | Kolten Wong Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 245)
Kolten Wong is a former Major League Baseball player from the Big island of Hawaiʻi. Before baseball became his career, he was an All-Star in both football and baseball, eventually choosing to pursue baseball at the collegiate level where he became a three-time First-Team All-WAC selection, WAC Tournament MVP, First-Team All-American, and Cape Cod League MVP.In 2011, he was selected 22nd overall b
The Hawaii Pop Star Betting Everything on Herself | Karlee Girl Live at Lē’ahi (Ep. 244)
Karlee Tanaka is a singer-songwriter and independent artist from the island of Oʻahu. She was one of just 20 artists selected from more than 120,000 applicants for HYBE x Geffen’s The Debut: Dream Academy, the competition that ultimately formed KATSEYE, and her journey was later featured in Netflix’s Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE.She also appeared on Netflix’s Building the Band before stepping out on
The Family That Helped Invent Windsurfing | Matty & Zane Schweitzer Keep It Aloha (Ep. 243)
Matty & Zane Schweitzer are brothers from the island of Maui who carry one of the most unique family legacies in watersports. Their grandfather, Hoyle Schweitzer, helped pioneer and bring windsurfing to the world, while their father, Matt, became the sport’s first Windsurfer World Champion and went on to win 18 World Championship-level events.Matty, the older brother, is an award-winning filmm
From Papa John’s Delivery Driver to the Nation’s Top Passer | Bryant Moniz Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 242)
Bryant Moniz is a former professional quarterback, coach, and community leader from the island of Oʻahu. Many know him as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in University of Hawaiʻi football history. In 2010, he led the nation in passing, total offense, and passing touchdowns, throwing for more than 5,000 yards and 39 touchdowns. He also broke Colt Brennan’s single-game passing record with
The Real Meaning of Aloha, Identity & Hawaiian Culture | Kumu Hinaleimoana Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 241)
Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong is a cultural leader from the island of Oʻahu. She is a kumu hula, Hawaiian language and culture practitioner, filmmaker, composer, and community leader who has dedicated her life to preserving and perpetuating the ʻike, values, and traditions of our lāhui.Many know her from the award-winning PBS documentary Kumu Hina, which shared her story with audiences around the world a
The Mentor Every Young Entrepreneur in Hawaiʻi Needs to Hear | Daniel Kim Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 240)
Daniel Kim is an entrepreneur, mentor, creator economy pioneer, and the founder and CEO of MerchLabs.As the founder of MerchLabs, he’s helped generate over $20 million in revenue for creators and has been part of launching hundreds of merch shops, handling everything from design and production to online stores, shipping, fulfillment, and customer service.And his work reaches far beyond just local
The Hawaii Queen Who Became a Global Drag Icon | Sasha Colby Keeps It Aloha in California (Ep. 239)
Sasha Colby is a performer, actress, and LGBTQ+ icon from the island of Oʻahu. She has spent more than two decades becoming one of the most respected and influential drag artists in the world while proudly representing Hawaiʻi every step of the way.Known for her artistry, authenticity, and commanding stage presence, she first earned international recognition after winning the prestigious Miss Cont
What's Really Happening With Aloha Stadium? | Kaloa Robinson Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 238)
Kaloa Robinson is a Hawai’i development leader from the island of Oʻahu. After graduating from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Shidler College of Business, he joined Stanford Carr Development, where he's spent more than a decade helping lead some of the state's most impactful projects. He currently serves as Vice President and Lead Project Manager for the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment Distr
Meet the Artist Taking Hawaiʻi Music to the World | 8R08 Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 237)
Myron Armstrong, better known as 8R08, is a musician from the island of Oʻahu. He has become one of fastest-rising artists to ever come out of Hawaiʻi and is one of the leading voices of Hawaiʻi's new generation of music.As a singer, songwriter and producer, he's created a sound that blends R&B, hip-hop, reggae, pop and island influences while proudly representing Hawaiʻi through his m
How Two Sisters From Hawaiʻi Built a Global Audience | Kirsten & Erika Titus Keep It Aloha (Ep. 236)
Kirsten and Erika Titus popular content creators from the island of O’ahu. They are two sisters who turned making videos for fun into one of the biggest social media success stories to ever come out of Hawaiʻi.Kirsten first exploded online through her humor, storytelling, and relatable personality, becoming one of the breakout creators of the early TikTok era and building an audience of millions a
How Small Kine Things Can Make a Big Difference | Cole Mynah Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 235)
Cole Mynah is a Hawaiʻi entrepreneur and content creator from the island of O’ahu. This local braddah is a passionate storyteller who has built a career helping local businesses and brands share their stories through the power of digital media. What began as a passion for giving back and content creation eventually grew into Just Small Kine Things, a company dedicated to showcasing Hawaiʻi's p
How a Hawaiʻi Kid Became an NFL Legend with the Chicago Bears | Olin Kreutz Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 234)
Olin Kreutz is a Hawaiʻi football legend from the island of O’ahu. In high school he received All-State and SuperPrep All-America honors while serving as football team captain during his senior year, and would additionally go on to win the Hawai'i state wrestling heavyweight championship. He then went on to star at the University of Washington, where he became a Consensus All-American before b
Raised by the Ocean, Built for Big Waves| Kai Lenny Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 233)
Our guest today is a professional surfer and all-around waterman from the island of Maui. He is widely considered one of the greatest watermen of all time. This athletic freak has spent his life pushing the limits of what humans can do in the ocean. From charging giant waves at Jaws and Nazaré, to helping pioneer modern hydrofoiling, to competing at the highest levels of stand-up paddling, kitesur
How Hirie Built One of Hawaiʻi's Biggest Music Careers | Hirie Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 232)
Hirie is a global artist originally from the Philippines, Italy and the island of O’ahu. She has gone on to become one of the leading female voices in modern reggae. As the frontwoman of Hirie, she’s built a worldwide following with hundreds of thousands of monthly listeners and millions of streams across platforms.Her album Wandering Soul debuted at number one on the Billboard Reggae charts, she’
This Hawaiʻi Band Took a Break…Then Everything Changed | Wavvy Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 231)
Kala’i Pomroy and James Shaw are musical artists from the Big Island of Hawai’i. These Hilo boys are now based on Oʻahu, and represent a new generation of local music — one that blends island reggae, R&B, hip-hop, and pop into something that feels both rooted and global at the same time. Their breakout track Keep Me In Mind helped put them on the map, and since then they’ve continued to build
How a North Shore Lifeguard Helped Rebuild His Community | Joey Cadiz Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 230)
Joey Cadiz is a community leader from the island of O’ahu. He is a North Shore lifeguard, big-wave surfer, former University of Hawaiʻi football player, kalo farmer, and the founder of Lau Lau Solutions — a nonprofit taro farm rooted in sustainability, Hawaiian values, and feeding the community. Most recently when the devastating floods hit Waialua on the North Shore of O'ahu, he was one of th
Is Hawaiʻi Traffic the Worst? Are Firefighters Paid Fairly? | Pau Hana w/ Kanoe (Ep. 229)
Today on Pau Hana 🤙🏽Kanoelehua Robinson—Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant, the face of Hawaiian Host Aloha Macs, and Kamaka’s little sister—joins us for the first episode of our new series.In this episode we talk story about Hawai’i traffic, moving fast in relationships, sibling kine tingz, the guy who threw a rock at the Hawaiian monk seal, tourists in Hawai’i, fair wages for firefighters, and s
Big Island Roots, Military Discipline, Vegas Hustle | Justin Hong Keeps It Aloha in Vegas (Ep. 228)
Justin Hong is an entrepreneur and podcast host from the Big island of Hawai’i. He is the creator and host of the Still Friends Show podcast, a weekly show with over 140 episodes where he sits down with entertainers, athletes, and creators for real, unfiltered conversations. Alongside co-host Raleigh Robertson, he’s built a platform that blends comedy, culture, and real-life stories — connecting H
From the Hawaiian Islands to the Octagon | Kai Kamaka Keeps It Aloha in Las Vegas (Ep. 227)
Kai Kamaka is a professional mixed martial artist from the island of O’ahu. In high school he won the HHSAA State Championship after claiming gold in OIA conference finals. As a professional he holds a record of 18 wins, made his UFC debut in 2020 on short notice, earned a Fight of the Night bonus in his very first appearance, and has built his name through grit, durability, and nonstop pressure.
From Next Generation to Entrepreneur: Music & Building Moani | Micah G Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 226)
Micah Keolanui is a singer, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur from the island of O’ahu. He is known for his smooth vocals and signature reggae sound, blending R&B, soul, and island influences into music that’s both timeless and relatable. He’s been in the music scene for over two decades, originally as a founding member and lead singer of The Next Generation before stepping into his solo c
Carrying Legacy Through Hula & Oli | Kekuhi & Kaumakaiwa Keali'ikanaka'ole Keep It Aloha (Ep. 225)
Kekuhi and Kaumakaiwa Keali'ikanaka'ole are cultural practitioners from the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. They are descendants of one of Hawaiʻi’s most influential cultural legacies — the legacy of Edith Kanakaʻole. They are kumu hula, chanters, composers, artists, and educators…carrying forward generations of ʻike Hawaiʻi through hula, oli, and ceremony. Their work has been showcased on the Merr
From Pig Farm to Hit Songs: Chardonnay’s Unlikely Rise | Chardonnay Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 224)
Chardonnay Pa'o is a Native-Hawaiian award-winning singer, songwriter from the west side of O’ahu. This Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-Winner is also a farmer and is redefining what it means to live rooted while chasing your dreams. She first caught people’s attention wearing a coconut hat and putting an island twist on Adele’s “Easy On Me,” with a version produced by Kapena that had people saying her
The Iconic Voice Behind the Original Pokémon Theme Song | Jason Paige Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 223)
Jason Paige is an entertainer from all over the US, but currently based in L.A. He is a singer, songwriter, and performer that is best known as the voice behind one of the most iconic theme songs of all time – the original Pokémon theme song, “Gotta Catch ’Em All.” His voice became the soundtrack to a generation, inspiring millions of kids around the world to be the very best, like no one ever was
Inside the Mind of a Native-Hawaiian High Seer | Kimo Kepano Keeps It Aloha in Washington (Ep. 222)
Kimo Kepano is a Kanaka Maoli High Seer from New York. He is the founder of The Light Seer Method. For more than three decades, he has helped people understand intuition, energy awareness, and personal healing through a blend of Hawaiian wisdom and modern science. Kimo has worked with over 10,000 clients and has been featured on The Travel Channel, Apple TV’s Chief of War, and GAIA’s Beyond Belief
Bringing Hawaiian History to Hollywood | Paʻa Sibbett (Chief of War) Keeps It Aloha in Washington (Ep. 221)
Pa'a Sibbett is a Kanaka Maoli writer, filmmaker, and storyteller from Seattle Washington. He is the co-creator of Chief of War, a series centered around the unification of the Hawaiian Islands and the stories of our kūpuna. Working alongside Jason Momoa and a Native Hawaiian-led team, this husband and father has helped bring one of the first large-scale productions rooted in Hawaiian history,
The Artist Bringing Hawaiian History to Life | Brook & Drena Parker Keep it Aloha (Ep. 220)
Brook and Drena Parker are Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs from the island of O’ahu. Brook is a multidisciplinary artist, historian, and genealogist , whose work brings Hawaiian history and ancestral stories to life through powerful visual art. His paintings often portray aliʻi and figures from Hawaiian history with deep research and cultural respect, honoring the moʻolelo and legacy of our kūpuna.H
Why Lewa Left High Watah | Keep it Aloha Talk Story with Lewa (Ep. 219)
Lewa is a musician from the island of Moloka'i. He is best known for his time as a member of the band High Watah. During the band’s rise in Hawaiʻi’s music scene, their blend of island reggae and local sound helped build a loyal following across the islands and beyond. After years performing with the group, Lewa eventually made the difficult decision to step away from the band and begin a new
From England to Hawaiian Language Educator | Kaliko Beamer-Trapp Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 218)
Kaliko Beamer-Trapp is a Hawaiian language educator and cultural practitioner originally from England. He is also the hānai son of the late Aunty Nona Beamer. For decades, he has dedicated his life to the teaching and revitalization of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, from Hawaiian immersion schools to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, where he continues his work today. He has served on the Hawaiian Language Lexi
From ER Doctor to Governor of Hawai'i | Josh Green Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 217)
Josh Green is a medical doctor from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the Governor of the State of Hawaiʻi. Before stepping into public office, he spent more than 20 years as a family physician and emergency room doctor, and even while serving in government, he continued caring for patients in rural and underserved communities across Hawaiʻi. He’s one of the few governors in the country to keep practic
Mauna Kea, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and Hawaiian Identity | Kaho'okahi Kanuha Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 216)
Kahoʻokahi Kanuha is a prominent Native Hawaiian educator from Moku o Keawe and a respected cultural practitioner dedicated to ʻike Hawaiʻi and cultural revitalization. Many first came to know him during the movement to protect Mauna Kea, where he became one of the key leaders helping guide and organize the kiaʻi. He has served as a Hawaiian language advisor for Apple TV’s Chief of War and as Jaso
Revitalizing the Hawaiian Language in Hawai'i | Michael Sonoda Dias Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 215)
Michael Sonoda Dias is a Hawaiian Language speaker from the island of Oʻahu. He is the father of podcast host Kamaka Dias and the man who brought the Hawaiian language into their ʻohana. Through his work at ALU LIKE, he’s dedicated his life to serving Hawai'i and uplifting Native Hawaiian and indigenous families through education, culture, and opportunity. In this episode we talk about Uncle M
How a Foreigner From Hawai'i Changed Sumo Forever | Konishiki Keeps It Aloha in Japan (Ep. 214)
Konishiki Yasokichi (Saleva'a Fuauli Atisanoe) is a cultural ambassador and sumo legend from the island of Oʻahu. He became the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to reach Ozeki, the second highest possible rank in the sport. During his career, he won the top division championship on three occasions and came very close to becoming the first foreign-born grand champion, or Yokozuna. At his peak w
Faith, Leadership & Empowering Women | Lisa Kai Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 213)
Lisa Kai is a Senior pastor, author and entrepreneur from the island of Oʻahu. She is a visionary leader with a heart to advance faith, purpose, and community. Alongside her husband — and past podcast guest — Mike Kai, she serves as senior pastor of Inspire Church, a thriving multi-site congregation based in Honolulu. Hawai’i. Each year, she hosts the Arise Conference, empowering women from across
Building a Positive Platform From Hawaiʻi | Micah Tengan Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 212)
Micah Tengan is a content creator and entrepreneur from the island of Oʻahu. He’s a UH Mānoa graduate with a business degree and a storyteller with a growing audience of nearly 2 million followers across TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. This young hustler is known for his positivity, creativity, and spreading aloha through community-centric content. When he’s not creating content or connecting with
What Hawaiian Sovereignty Looks Like in Action | Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 211)
Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele is a Native Hawaiian leader from the island of O’ahu. He is a cultural practitioner and one of the most influential voices in the modern Hawaiian sovereignty movement. Bumpy is best known as the leader of Puʻuhonua o Waimānalo, a self-sustaining Hawaiian community built on traditional values, culture, and aloha ʻāina. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s after
How a Barber in Hawaiʻi Became a Content Creator | Isaiah Kaikala Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 210)
Isaiah Kaikala is a content creator and barber originally from Washington, now living in Hawaiʻi. When he’s not cutting hair, you can find him on the golf course or online making content. He’s cutting hair, creating content, and now talking stories with us in the studio today.In this episode we talk about growing up away from Hawai’i, living with Hawaiian values in Washington, how he got into cutt
Chasing Waves While Building Purpose | Pua DeSoto Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 209)
Pua DeSoto is a professional surfer and entrepreneur from the island of O’ahu. She is the youngest podcast guest we’ve ever had on and now she is back 2 years later as the CEO of Actions of Aloha. Check out episode 65 of the Hawaiiverse podcast to learn more about her life story.In this episode we talk about what she’s been up to since her first time on the podcast, life in college, going all in t
This NBA Champion Is Representing Culture & Community | Patty Mills Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 208)
Patty Mills is an Indigenous Australian professional basketball player from Australia. He is a five-time Olympian, NBA Champion, and 16-year NBA veteran. Across his NBA career, Patty has played in over 900 games for seven teams, including a pivotal role in the San Antonio Spurs’ 2013–14 championship season. Internationally, he recently competed in the 2024 Paris Games, where he moved into fifth pl
Meet the New Face of Hawaiian Host AlohaMacs | Kanoelehua Robinson Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 207)
Kanoelehua Robinson is a flight attendant and model from the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. She is the new face of Hawaiian Host alongside Kahanu Cuban, following in the footsteps of past podcast guest Kawehi Kamakele. This local girl has modeled for brands such as Kahulaleʻa, Manuhealiʻi, and Manaola — even walking in New York Fashion Week representing Manaola. She’s also part of the Hawaiian Airlines pr
This Doctor Is Healing Brains & Changing Lives In Hawaii | Dr. Jason Keifer Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 206)
Jason Keifer is a psychiatrist from Omaha, Nebraska. He is the founder of Brain Health Hawaii, where he serves as the CEO and Medical Director, bringing decades of expertise in brain health. As a double board-certified physician, he is committed to strengthening the development of our children and members of our community. His innovative work integrating neuromodulation, sleep and circadian rhythm
Island Magic Mike Bringing Laughter To Hawai’i | Mike Garcia Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 205)
Mike Garcia A.K.A. Island Magic Mike is a comedian, creator, and all-around entertainer from the island of Oʻahu. You’ve probably seen his hilarious skits online or maybe even caught one of his live shows around the islands. This father and husband has appeared in many commercials and emcee’d many different events. From the stage to social media, he’s been spreading his positive and infectious ene
The Godfather of Poke | Sam Choy Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 204)
Sam Choy is a legendary chef and TV personality from the island of O‘ahu. He’s widely recognized as the “Godfather of Poke” and one of Hawai‘i’s true culinary ambassadors. Celebrated for helping develop and popularize Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, Sam introduced authentic island flavors to the world and changed the way people experience Hawai‘i through food. A James Beard Foundation “America’s Classi
The Mind of a Champion | Egan Inoue Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 203)
Egan Inoue is a multi-sport champion from the island of Oʻahu. He’s a 2-time Racquetball World Champion, 2-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, and 5-time MMA World Champion. Egan made history as the first non-Brazilian to ever win a BJJ World Title — paving the way for athletes around the world and putting Hawaiʻi on the global stageBeyond being a fierce competitor, Egan is a devoted father,
Ho'okuaʻāina: Growing People Through the Growing of Kalo | Dean Wilhelm Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 202)
Dean Wilhelm is a community leader from the island of Oʻahu and the co-founder and co-director of Ho'okuaʻāina — a gathering place for people to connect with and care for the ʻāina (land). Through the cultivation and preparation of kalo (taro), Ho'okuaʻāina perpetuates Hawaiian culture and provides healing for the community, especially at-risk youth.He is also a musician and former teacher. Togeth
Love on the Spectrum in Hawai‘i | Tanner & Connor Keep It Aloha (Ep. 201)
Connor Tomlinson from Georgia and Tanner Smith from South Carolina are two of the stars of Netflix’s hit show Love on the Spectrum. Best friends and autism advocates, they inspire people both on and off the spectrum to embrace their authentic selves.In this special Hawai‘i episode, we take a tour around Kualoa Ranch — home of the iconic Jurassic Park T-Rex holding area — and talk about their upbri
The BEST sherbet in Hawai’i | Neale Asato Keeps It Aloha (Ep. 200)
Neale Asato is an entrepreneur from the island of O’ahu. He is the owner of Asato Family Shop, which is best known for making “Local Kine” sherbet that honors the past while sharing it with the next generation. Their sherbet is more than just a treat, it’s a memory inspired by the old-school flavors of crack seed stores, the Manapua man, and the local snacks we grew up with, every scoop is a taste
#199 | Keao NeSmith | Neo Hawaiian, translating Harry Potter books, and best ways to learn Hawaiian
Keao NeSnith is a Hawaiian linguist from the island of Kaua’i. He is an educator and translator who has taught at various universities in Hawai’i, Tahiti and New Zealand. His work on “Neo Hawaiian” as a separate variety of Hawaiian has informed debate in Hawaiian language studies, as well as broader issues in language revitalization. He has translated a number of books into Hawaiian, including The
#198 | Cheyne Gitsham | Creating videos, going to school in Hawai'i, and what's his favorite song
Cheyne Gitsham is a content creator from California. He is most known for his social media content sharing videos about his life in Hawai’i and street interviews in which he asks people what their favorite song is and what song they are listening to. With a collective following of almost 4 million on social media he is building an empire and he’s only 22 years old. In this episode we talk about gr
#197 | Seven Suns | Live Podcast at Blue Note Hawai'i + live musical performance
Seven Suns are a collective of seven bandmates from all over the world. Their first full length album ‘Many Feathers’ was released in November of 2024 and recently they went on to win 6 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards including Reggae Album, Single of the Year, Music video of the Year, and Group of the Year. Their band members include Justin Kawika Young (vocals, guitar), Shawn Kekoa Pimental (drums), Jas
#196 | AJ Rafael | How he got into music, his love for Hawai'i, and almost 20 years YouTube
AJ Rafael is an accomplished Filipino-American singer-songwriter from California. He has amassed over 1 million subscribers on YouTube and 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify. His debut album Red Roses has reached the iTunes and Billboard charts, and he has collaborated with artists such as Tori Kelly, Jeremy Passion, Kina Grannis, and past podcast guest Roman from Kolohe Kai. This popular YouT
#195 | Sydni Kobayashi | Her sister Hannah's mysterious disappearance and the aftermath of it all
Sydni Kobayashi is a mother and entrepreneur from the island of O'ahu. She is the sister of Hannah Kobayashi, the girl from Hawai'i who voluntarily disappeared last year and was found in Mexico. In this episode we talk about growing up in Hawai’i with Hannah, the events leading up to Hannah’s disappearance, finding out Hannah was missing, her dad passing away, finding Hannah, moving forward after
#194 | Talk story with Kaniela Ing | Life updates and the truth about political parties
Kaniela Ing is a community leader from the island of Maui. He came on the Hawaiiverse Podcast over 2 years ago and now he is back to talk story once again. Check out episode 64 on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to learn more about him. In this episode we talk about what he’s been up to since his last podcast, Charlie Kirk’s death, everything politics, the Kamehameha Schools admissions issues, raising h
#193 | Amy Hill | 30 years of acting, working with legends, and her iconic Hawaiians roles
Amy Hill is a legendary actress and comedian from South Dakota. She has over 180 television and film credits and has been a part of our favorite shows and movies over the past three decades. You might know her for her hilarious role as Grandma Kim on All-American Girl, Sue in 50 First Dates, Mrs. Ho-Kym in Next Friday, Mrs. Kwan in Cat in the Hat, or the unforgettable voice of Mrs. Hasagawa in Dis
#192 | Princess Mae & Tony Gaisoa | Their love story, careers, and raising their family
Princess Mae and Tony Gaisoa are entrepreneurs from the Phillipines and American Samoa. Princess is a digital creator, influencer and sister of internet sensation and past podcast guest Bretman Rock. Tony is the owner and founder of USO Muscle Detailing and the commissioner of our fantasy football league that all of us are in. Together they are proud parents of 5 kids and one of the the best peopl
#191 | High Watah | Moloka'i living, going all in on music, and fan Q&As
Keldin Calairo-Nakagawa and Lewa Davis-Medija are two singer/songwriters from the island of Moloka’i. They are the founders of the popular band High Watah which is a seven-piece reggae ensemble who is taking Hawai’i and the world by storm. With millions of streams and radio plays all over the world, they continue to share their music and captivate audiences. Their debut album, Watah Boys Vol.1, ca
#190 | Talk story with Lanai Tabura | Traveling the world & the life-changing PEMF machine
Lanai Tabura is an Emmy Award-winning jack of all trades from the island of Lānaʻi. Heʻs a DJ, comedian, chef, TV and podcast host, actor, and entrepreneur. He is the winner of Food networkʻs Great Food Truck race season 4, was a co-host with Anthony Bourdainʻs NO Reservations and currently hosts Cooking Hawaiian Style which is a tv show that airs in 7 countries. He came on the Hawaiiverse Podcas
#189 | Keep it Aloha Updates with Kamaka | Book release, Made in HI, live podcast, & Hawai'i facts
We interrupt this weekly podcast to bring you some important Keep it Aloha updates with Kamaka. We will be back to our regular scheduled program next week. Enjoy!In this episode we talk about the new Keep it Aloha book, the upcoming Made in Hawai’i Festival, podcast updates, live podcast at the Blue Note, future plans, some Hawai’i facts and so much more.Find Kamaka here: https://www.instagram.com
#188 | Brandon Maka'awa'awa | Hawaiian sovereignty, the Nation of Hawai'i, and working together
Brandon Maka'awa'awa is a Native-Hawaiian sovereign leader from the island of O’ahu. He is the Vice-President, Deputy Head of State, and Executive Advisor at the Nation of Hawai’i, the oldest Hawaiian independence organization in Hawai’i. He is a long-time resident of the Waimanalo Hawaiian homestead community called Pu’uhonua O Waimanalo where he also helps to manage the community’s broadband net
#187 | Luciane Buchanan | Polynesian culture, acting, and playing Queen Ka'ahumanu in Chief of War
Luciane Buchanan is a Tongan actress from New Zealand. She started acting as a young teen in Aotearoa landing roles in some local series, the Netflix series ‘The New Legends of Monkey’, ‘Sweet Tooth’, and Apple TV+’s ‘Mr. Corman’. In 2020, Luciane was a recipient of the Script to Screen 'Fresh Shorts' program for her first short screenplay 'Lea Tupu'anga/ Mother Tongue'. The Un
#186 | Da Boyz 3 | Josh Namba, Ricky Kuntemeyer, and Jordan Tano
This is basically Keep it Aloha's version of the Protect Our Parks episodes on Joe Rogan's podcast. In this episode we get to know Josh Namba of Maoli, Ricky Kuntemeyer of Mean Training, Jordan Tano of Dakine Media and High Watah, we talk about male friendships, comparisons, life philosophies, and so much more.Find Josh here: https://www.instagram.com/joshnamba/Find Ricky here: https://www
#185 | JR De Guzman | Filipino pride, comedy, and why Asian guys can smash
JR De Guzman is a musician and comedian from the Philippines and California. He began performing comedy as a music teacher in a classroom before taking his talents to bigger stages. He has entertained all over the world, having performed for Stand-Up Tokyo and Tokyo Comedy bar in Japan, the Jokers Ball in Indonesia, the Badaboom Comedy series in Amsterdam and countless other international shows. H
#184 | Keep it Aloha: Live at Lē’ahi with musician Irie Love
Irie Love is an R&B Reggae singer and songwriter from the island of O’ahu. She first came on the scene as one of the finalists on the “Brown Bags to Stardom” competition in 1999. She then booked a tour as a back-up singer for the artist Pink and continued as a back-up singer for the next three years for artists like Dave Hollister and Chaka Khan. This island girl then took her talents to Kings
#183 | Kyle Quilausing | From golf prodigy to Hawaiʻi's Most Wanted to motivational speaker
Kyle Quilausing is a motivational speaker and former Hawai’i’s most wanted from the Big island of Hawai’i. At the age of 5 he was introduced to golf and quickly fell in love with the sport dedicating every waking moment to perfecting his craft and becoming a six-time state golf champion, winning 16 titles, coming 4th in the world, and playing against Tiger Woods at 10 years old. Things took a turn
#182 | Hayley Cheyney Kāne | Miss Hawai'i 2024, gay pride, and preventative medicine
Hayley Cheyney Kāne is a former miss Hawai’i from the island of O’ahu. In 2013 she was crowned Miss Hawaiʻi’s outstanding Teen, then in 2024 she was crowned Miss Hawai’i becoming the first openly gay Miss Hawai'i in history as well as making her only the second person to ever capture both the Teen and Miss titles of the Miss Hawai'i America system. This Native-Hawaiian is also a trained hu
#181 | Oliver Widger | Quitting his corporate job, sailing with Phoenix to Hawaiʻi, and going viral
Oliver Widger is a former tire company manager turned sailor from Oregon. Last year he quit his corporate job of 11 years, liquidated his 401(k) and bought a sailboat with the intention to sail 2,400 miles all the way to Hawai’i. After 25 days at sea he arrived in Hawai’i on May 25th all while going viral and documenting his whole journey on social media. In this episode we talk about his upbringi
#180 | Talk story with Roman De Peralta of Kolohe Kai | What Aloha Means & the power of music
We welcome back singer/songwriter Roman De Peralta to the podcast to talk about his newest album called What Aloha Means. Check out episode 123 to see Roman's first episode and learn more about his life story. In this episode we talk about his new album, catch up with each other on life, talk about the state of aloha in our community, go over some of his favorite songs off his album, shed some tea
#179 | Randy Kosaki & Kimi Werner | Long lost siblings, uncanny similarities, and love for the ocean
Randy Kosaki and Kimi Werner are a long lost brother and sister duo from the island of O’ahu and Maui. Kimi is a past podcast guest, a National spearfishing champion, an award-winning environmentalist, amazing chef, mother, wife, and sister. You can learn more about her if you check out episode 3 recorded almost 3 and a half years ago. Randy Kosaki is a recently retired research ecologist. He was
#178 | Kale Afong | Hawai'i's Only, hustling to make a living, and Kale's Hale
Kale Afong is a self-taught chef from the island of Oʻahu. He is the executive chef and owner of Kaleʻs Hale, Hawaiʻiʻs newest dining hotspot featuring an all-you-can-eat Japanese Yakiniku experience with a Hawaiian twist. This father and husband also started Hawai’i’s first “Ocean to Table” experience, offering guests the opportunity to dive or fish, then learn to prepare their catch in a beach-p
#177 | Kimo Leong | Kanaka Solutions, west side living, and being Hawaiian
Kimo Leong is an influential Native-Hawaiian from the island of Oʻahu. He is the CEO and founder of Kanaka Solutions which is the number one security for surf events. He is also a father, husband, and Makaha beach boy. In this episode we talk about growing up in Kalihi, experiencing other cultures at a young age, leaving Hawai’i for college, starting his business Kanaka Solutions, working with sur
#176 | Siena Agudong | Her acting career, going to college, and staying connected to Hawai'i
Sienna Agudong is an actress from the island of Kaua’i. She landed her first role at age 7 in Willy Wonka at the Hawaii Children’s Theatre and then made her television debut at the age of 8 with a recurring role as Lulu Parker in Killer Women. This local talent earned several young Artist Awards and Young Entertainer Award nominations since 2015 and a win for Best Guest Starring Young Actress – 12
#175 | Dillon Gabriel | Mililani pride, his historic football career & giving back to the community
Dillon Gabriel is an NFL quarterback from the island of O’ahu. At the high school level, he broke Tua Tagovailoa’s High School State record for career passing yards and then went on to play college football and started for UCF, Oklahoma and most recently Oregon finishing up his last season in 2024 with 63 career games played which is the most games played by a college quarterback in Division 1 foo
#174 | Keep it Aloha: Live at Lē’ahi with American Idol winner Iam Tongi
Iam Tongi is a musician from the island of O’ahu. He came bursting on the scene in 2023 winning season 21 of American Idol becoming the first person from Hawai’i, the first Pacific Islander, and the first non-country genre singer in three years, to win. Since his time on American Idol, Iam has accumulated over 3 million followers collectively on social media, 70+ million streams on all platforms,
#173 | Kanoe & Kamaka | Sibling love, hate, and all the above
Kanoelehua Robinson is Kamaka's little sister from the Big Island of Hawai'i. She's a model and flight attendant for Hawaiian airlines and also the silver child of the family behind the golden child, Kamaka. In this episode they talk about their family history, their relationship as siblings, who the family favorite is, being from Hilo, their funniest life moments, and so much more. En
#172 | Kawehi Kamakele | Becoming the Hawaiian Host cover girl & working as a flight attendant
Kawehi is a Hawaiian Airlines flight attendant from the island of O’ahu. She is also the Hawaiian Host Chocolate ambassador and you can see her on the cover of most of the Hawaiian Host products. Kawehi is an ambassador of aloha and is also a hula dancer, wife, and mama of 4 + a puppy.In this episode we talk about how she ended up on the cover of the Hawaiian Host boxes, how she became a flight at
#171 | Brian Keaulana | Makaha lifestyle, ocean safety, and the state of the Hawaiʻi film industry
Brian Keaulana is a legendary waterman from the island of O’ahu. He is a well-known Hawaiian surfer, lifeguard, and stunt coordinator who has provided invaluable support in dozens of major motion pictures. This husband and father is credited with developing new approaches to water safety in big surf and invented the equipment to support it, was the first to use the jet ski in water rescue operatio
#170 | Paul Izak | Music, organic farming, and yoga
Paul Izak is an organic farmer and musician from the island of O’ahu. He is a yoga practitioner and surfer who is raising his family in the back roads of Waimanalo. His music has reached millions around the world who are also committed to a simple, clean and healthy land-based lifestyle. From 2005-2013 he was the lead singer/harmonica/percussion player for a local Reggae band called Pressure Drop,
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