Send us a text

What happens when a driven Hawaiian model with dreams of becoming a pediatric oncologist opens up about love, cultural identity, and finding her match? Mailani Kekkuewa brings refreshing honesty to this conversation about navigating the modern dating world while maintaining ambitious career goals.

From representing indigenous women through pageantry to appearing in Disney+ and Amazon Prime productions, Mailani's multifaceted life offers unique perspectives on what truly matters in relationships. She shares how growing up primarily raised by women shaped her expectations, and why she's learned to seek partners who match or exceed her ambitious mindset.

The discussion takes fascinating turns through cultural dynamics of dating in Hawaii, the evolution of personal love languages, and why emotional intelligence has become her non-negotiable in potential partners. After experiencing relationships where she took on both masculine and feminine roles, Mailani explains her revelation: "The next man needs to put me in my feminine energy, because I'm tired of being both a man and woman in the relationship."

We dive deep into how therapy has transformed her approach to emotional baggage, the difference between girlfriend and wife behavior, and why she advocates for more committed partnerships over casual arrangements. Her story about meeting her current "reserved" California love interest organically (after swearing off dating apps) provides hope for authentic connections in our digital age.

Whether you're seeking insights on balancing career ambition with romantic fulfillment or simply enjoy candid relationship talk, this episode delivers wisdom, laughter, and compelling stories about finding your match while staying true to your cultural roots and personal goals. Subscribe now and join our growing community of relationship-minded listeners!

• Growing up in Kaneohe Kahaluu and maintaining strong connections to Hawaiian heritage
• Pursuing a degree in genetic cell and developmental biological sciences while studying for a real estate license
• Finding purpose in pageantry from age four and using it to represent indigenous women
• Working on various TV shows including Disney+'s Doogie Kamealoha and Amazon's I Know What You Did Last Summer
• Evolving from gift-giving to physical touch and words of affirmation as primary love languages
• Shifting from masculine energy to feminine energy in relationships
• Learning the importance of finding a partner with equal or greater ambition
• Prioritizing education before dating in high school to stay focused on long-term goals
• Dealing with emotional baggage through therapy and personal growth
• Distinguishing between girlfriend and wife behavior in relationships
• Moving away from small-town mindsets to find partners who match big goals