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 the traumatic weeks, being put in the spotlight, future goals, and so much more.Find Sydni here:https://www.instagram.com/4forty4hawaii/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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 his sons, meeting his wife, his hope for Hawai’i, and so much more.Find Kaniela here: https://www.instagram.com/kanielaing/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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 Disney’s Lilo & Stitch. More recently, she starred as "Kumu" on the hit reboot of Magnum P.I., and “Tūtū” in the live-action Lilo & Stitch. Today you can find her playing a different Tūtū on Prime Video’s Ballard alongside local girl Maggie Q. In this episode we talk about her upbringing on the continent, her family, getting into acting, her most famous roles, stories with other actors, moving to Hawai’i, playing beloved Hawaiian characters, and so much more.Find Amy here:https://www.instagram.com/amyhillactor/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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 people to follow on social media.In this episode we talk about growing up in Hawai’i and American Samoa, raising their kids, how they met, their careers, their love for each other, future goals, and so much more.Find Princess here: https://www.instagram.com/realprincessmae/Find Tony here: https://www.instagram.com/tonygaisoa/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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, came out earlier this year and further showcases their unique sound, cementing their reputation as innovators within the island reggae genre. In this episode we talk about their lives on Moloka’i, small town living, starting their band High Watah, pursuing music full time, life on O’ahu, upcoming projects, and so much more.Find High Watah here: https://www.instagram.com/highwatah/Find Keldin here: https://www.instagram.com/keldin.calairo/Find Lewa here: https://www.instagram.com/imlevz/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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 Podcast in July 2022 and check out episode 33 on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to learn more about his life story. In this episode we talk about what he’s been up to since his first episode, his travel tours, social media keyboard warriors, the life-changing PEMF machines, his life on Lānaʻi, staying positive, and so much more.Find Lanai here: https://www.instagram.com/lanai/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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/kamakadias8/Buy the Keep it Aloha book here: https://amzn.to/4mggcLxBuy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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 network. This passionate advocate for Hawaiian National Sovereignty helps to assist Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele, the Head of State of the Nation of Hawai’i, with its day to day operations. In this episode we talk about being raised in Waimānalo, finding his path in life, Hawaiian sovereignty, ʻāina work days, the Metaverse, working together with people you may not agree with, and so much more.Find Brandon here: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiiannational/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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 University of Auckland celebrated her in 2023 on the '40 under 40' list of alumni. 2022 was a breakout year internationally when she was casted in Netflix’s ‘The Night Agent’, playing the lead role of Rose, which went on to break records as Netflix’s most watched series of 2023 and spending 12 weeks in the top 10. In 2023 she became one of IMDB’s Top Stars and now in 2025 she is set to play the lead role of Queen Ka’ahumanu in the Apple TV+ series ‘Chief of War’.In this episode we talk about growing up in New Zealand, getting into acting, her big roles in Night Agent and Chief of War, Polynesian culture, language, playing Queen Ka’ahumanu, and so much more.Find Luciane here: https://www.instagram.com/lucianebuchanan/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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.instagram.com/rickyjuk/Find Jordan here: https://www.instagram.com/tanomon_/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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. He was the winner of Stand-up NBC in 2016 and was named as a prestigious “New Face” at Just for laughs 2017, one of Variety’s Ten Comics to Watch in 2022, and one of Billboard’s Top 10 Musical Comics in 2025. His quarter hour special on the Comedy Lineup iso streaming on Netflix, and his debut hour special “I’m your Son Papa” is now available on YouTube. In this episode we talk about his childhood in California, his love for basketball, how he got into music and comedy, his Filipino heritage, starting his social media, Hawai’i, and so much more.Find JR here: https://www.instagram.com/jrdguz/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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 Kingston, Jamaica to pursue a solo career in reggae music meeting the reggae group Morgan Heritage, then signing with their production company. She has traveled the world and worked with legendary artists like the one and only Fiji. Her singles ʻIt Is Wut It Isʻ featuring Fiji and ʻMy Loveʻ, have both charted at No. 1 on the Hawaiian Reggae Charts. Her single ʻIt Is Wut It Isʻ featuring 'Fiji' was also featured on Hawaiian Airlines inflight entertainment. In this episode we talk about her multi-cultural family, sports, her music career, living away from Hawai’i, taking a break from music, her new life path, her upcoming album, and so much more. Enjoy!Filmed at: https://www.shangrilahawaii.org/ ( @hi_shangrila )Find Irie here: https://www.instagram.com/thisisirielove/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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 when he got addicted to crystal meth and became Hawai’i’s most wanted fugitive. After spending 10 years in a maximum-security prison he turned his life around and founded Stay Humble Pray, becoming a successful businessman and national motivational speaker. He’s spoken at over 200 schools and continues to educate the youth on the life-changing power of their choices.In this episode we talk about living right next to the golf course, his love for golf, playing against Tiger Woods, getting addicted to crystal meth, spending 10 years in jail, finding God, life after jail, motivational speaking, living in Utah, and so much more. Enjoy!Find Kyle here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stayhumblepray/Hire him: http://topyouthspeakers.com/speakers-topics/kyle-quilausingBuy his merch: http://shop.stayhumbleprayhawaii.comBuy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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 hula dancer and singer, and a preventative medicine advocate working as a prevention care coordinator teaching diabetes prevention at the Waimānalo Health Center.In this episode we talk about her childhood, learning hula, coming out to her family, winning Miss Hawai’i, being openly gay, preventative medicine, her fiancé, future goals, and so much more. Enjoy!Find Hayley here: https://www.instagram.com/hayleycheyneykane/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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 upbringing, barely graduating high school, working his corporate job for 11 years, the moments leading up to him quitting and deciding to sail around the world, his journey to Hawai’i, what’s next, and so much more. Enjoy!Find Oliver here: https://www.instagram.com/sailing_with_phoenix/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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 tears, and so much more. Enjoy!Find Roman here: https://www.instagram.com/kolohekaimusic/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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 NOAA’s Deputy Superintendent of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument and was also formerly the Research Coordinator for the Monument. This father and husband, has an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Hawaiʻi. His background is in behavioral ecology of coral reef fishes, and has broad interests in taxonomy and biogeography of Pacific coral reef fishes. In his free time he enjoys photographing fishes, catching fishes, cooking fishes, and reading about fishes.In this episode we talk about meeting each other for the first time as adults, Randy’s adoption story, how they reconnected, their relationship as siblings, their uncanny similarities, their professional careers, love for the ocean and each other, and so much more. Enjoy!Find Randy here: https://www.instagram.com/randykosaki/Find Kimi here: https://www.instagram.com/kimi_swimmy/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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-picnic setting. His business Hawai’i’s Only sells locally carved cutlery, including his signature knives and the first-ever designed “Poke Cooler”. He is an entrepreneur, winner of episode 2 of Hawai’i News Now’s Kitchen Scraps, and an unofficial comedian.In this episode we talk about barely graduating high school, having his daughter at a young age, why he got into spearfishing, his multiple jobs throughout the years, how he became a chef, Kale’s Hale, and so much more. Enjoy!Find Kale here: https://www.instagram.com/hawaiisonly/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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 surfers and celebrities, his love for his family, and so much more. Enjoy!Find Kimo here: https://www.instagram.com/kanaka_solutions/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
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 and Under in 2017. She has appeared on Disney, Nickelodeon, Netflix, and even portrayed a young Mia Torretto in F9. Most recently she appeared in Sidelined: The QB and Me available now for free on Tubi. In this episode we talk about growing up on Kaua’i, getting into acting, leaving Hawai’i to pursue an acting career, her acting roles, her hit movie that reached number one on Tubi, going to school, her future goals, and so much more. Enjoy! Find Siena here: https://www.instagram.com/sienaagudong/Buy our merch on:Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/Support us on:Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadiasFollow us on:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keepitalohapod/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keepitalohapodTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@keepitalohapod
Thomas Badilla
I really enjoyed this interview. Very informative. Hawaiian is such a beautiful language!