Hanging Out with Nolan Hong

Omg guys. Jamie here. I have no words. Nolan is all by himself on this episode and gets into how we went from just friends to eloping. I was supposed to be working while he recorded this but I may or may not have been listening with tears in my eyes

Angela just finished her master’s degree in Drama Therapy. We find out what that is, how she figured out what to do with her life, filling her passion bucket, and what a therapist does in a hospital.

Road Trip #2 with Matt Chong (Ep 18)! We’re in Chicago for ALL IN, an independent pro wrestling event, and the Starrcast wrestling convention. We also introduce our upcoming 2nd podcast and talk about Matt and Jamie’s foodie/anti-foodie instagrams.

Julian is one of the most decorated basketball players to come out of Hawaii. We talk about literal growing pains, food poisoning, his career, and the life of a professional athlete including hecklers, music and, um, protection.

Daryl is an actor, a stand-up comedian and Owner-Operator at Action Zone Wrestling, a local pro-wrestling organization. He’s also known for his iconic roles as the “Das my bank” guy, the “never shake a keiki” guy, and in Beyond Paradise. Go see Daryl and Andy Bumatai at the Blue Note, Sept 14 at the Blue Note!

Mr. Sato is our 10-year old guest Kai’s favorite teacher (Ep 38). We talk about not getting into HBA as a kindergartener to teaching 5th grade at that same school, starting a fishing class and coming up with nicknames for students.

Everybody should have a best friend like Steven. The boys talk about Bruce Lee, philosophy, their first MMA fights and the transition from fighter to father. Related episodes: TJ Thompson (Ep 2), Dave Yeung (Ep 11), and Chris West (Ep 12, 13).

The Soul Samurai with his signature aggressive ground n pound style inside the MMA cage.

Steven “Soul Samurai” Saito at his most memorable weigh in for Pro Elite at the Blaisdell Arena.

Steven and his Dad.

Steven and his wife Jayel.

Steven and Nolan at the Saito’s North Shore Home in V-Land, preparing for Steven and Jayel’s wedding.

Steven and Nolan circa 2007.

At Steven’s wedding with wife Jayel, Mom Faye, Dad Maurice, and brother Martin

The Soul Samurai in action during one of his MMA fights.

Steven and his Mom.

Courtney is an events manager. We talk about moving to Hawaii sight unseen, moving back to Chicago and coming back again to Hawaii, becoming an outdoorsy person, Chicago pizza and volunteering.

Courtney & her mom

Courtney, Nancy (Episode 56) and Mary

Lisa (center in the pic) is a biologist and innovation & technology specialist. Topics: more things first generation kids learn from their parents, marine biology and coral bleaching in Guam, IT and web design. Lisa’s sister Eva and their 2 dogs joined us in the studio.

Noelle is a performer and preschool teacher. We talk about navigating the island without google maps, pager codes, dealing with panic attacks and anxiety, performing, ghost hunting and arts in education.

On Dragonfly Wings; Neil Furukawa, Michael Paekukui

On Dragonfly Wings; Joseph Morales

No One Will Marry a Princess With a Tree Growing Out of Her Head; Joe Abraham

MPS Lion King; Pumbaa

Princess Mahealani; Twelf Night Or Whatevah

Michael Furuya illustration of royal family; Once Upon One Noddah Time

How the B52 Cockroach Learned How To Fly

Noelle’s classroom

Noelle’s favorite teacher picture ever… Her students painted her!