It's A Hawaii Thing

Born in Oahu, used to live in Japan during her childhood up to age 13. After finishing up her schooling in Hawaii, her passion for design led her to go to school in LA for Graphic design. Growing up speaking mandarin, she also went to Shanghai, China to study Chinese and study business. She also appeared on a reality TV show - Terrace House Aloha State on Netflix - there she created her own brand ILA SWIM. In her free time she likes to be outdoors, surfing, hiking and spending time with family. Avian currently helps out her Mom, Yaya, run their 2 “88 Tees” store locations where you can find her own brands, including ILA SWIM. “88 Tees” was established in 1988 with a simple belief “Every Fit For Every Style”. Yaya, an iconic character, along with her family embodies the Aloha spirit and lifestyle – sharing happiness and affection with others. Please join us at any of our two locations both in the heart of Waikiki which are located on Kuhio Ave and our flagship store on Kalakaua Ave.

Clyde Kusatsu was born on September 13, 1948, in Honolulu, Hawaii and attended 'Iolani School where he began acting and in Honolulu summer stock. After graduating a theatre major at Northwestern University, he started to make his mark on the small screen in the mid-1970s, and got his first TV role on KUNG FU. With his quiet, wry line delivery, Kusatsu made a memorable debut as Rev.Chong on several episodes of ALL IN THE FAMILY. He has become one of the most recognizable actors in the TV and movie industry in his 48th year as an actor in front of the lens and behind the mic. Below are a few of his over 300 credits in the industry.

Kusatsu has been a regular on several series beginning with BRING EM BACK ALIVE (1982–83)CBS and the Hawaii-set medical drama ISLAND SON (1989–90) CBS playing Richard Chamberlain's best friend Dr. Kenji Fushida . His many television movies include the film adaptation of FAREWELL TO MANZANAR (1976), and AMERICAN TRAGEDY playing Judge Lance Ito. Kusatsu also recurred as Vice Admiral Nakamura  on STAR TREK:NEXT GENERATION. In comedy he recurred as Principal Shimata in the '90s ABC situation comedy FAMILY MATTERS. He later starred in the ABC series ALL AMERICAN GIRL(1994–1995), the first Asian American family sitcom on TV.

In films, Kusatsu had roles in DRAGON:THE BRUCE LEE STORY (1993, IN THE LINE OF FIRE (1993), in AMERICAN PIE (1999), and HAROLD & KUMAR ESCAPE FROM GUNATANMO Harold's Dad.  He also appeared as four different characters on MAGNUM  P.I. For SciFi fandom, in the CBS MOW, he was the original Wong in DR. STRANGE (1978).

In 2013 Kusatsu became the first elected President of the new SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local, and at convention was elected the first National Vice President Los Angeles, an office he currently holds. He continues to act as well as the father-in-law to Ken Jeong in DR. KEN, MADAM SECRETARY, and DESIGNATED SURVIVOR. He is actively continuing his career in film, commercials, television, and in voice-over animation plays The Grocer in CURIOUS GEORGE.

Founding member of the six-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning group Maunalua, Bobby Moderow, Jr. is a renowned slack key guitar and falsetto artist. A member of the prestigious Honolulu Boy Choir from ages 9 to 12, Moderow later become a protégé of the late slack key guitar master Raymond Kane, who was proclaimed a National Living Treasure by the U.S. National Endowment for the Arts in 1987, and awarded funding for the apprenticeship program under which Moderow studied.

With his Maunalua brothers, Moderow has performed all over the world, including at the inaugural luʻau for President Obama; the 150th anniversary of the Smithsonian; and solo several times at the Grammy® Museum. As part of his desire to give back and to be one of the "keepers of the [Hawaiian music] flame" Moderow also teaches slack key - the award-winning artist Makana having been one of his students - and he has taught elementary school children at the Grammy® Museum for the past few years. He is currently teaching at the University of Hawai'i West Campus on O'ahu.

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Christopher Ramelb, a native of Kaua’i, started his wine career in 2012 as a business analyst for Southern Wine and Spirits after earning a Computer Science degree at University of Hawaii at Manoa. He has since twice represented Hawaii at the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs National Young Somm finals, won the Clore scholarship for the top score at the Certified Sommelier exam, and earned the coveted Johnston Medal in 2016, achieving the highest score for all Advanced Examinations in the calendar year, beating out hundreds of candidates across the globe. He furthered his wine studies on the floor at Vino and Alan Wong’s, and eventually took the post of opening Wine Director at Senia, where he helped earn the restaurant a James Beard nomination for “Best New Restaurant”, and a spot in Wine Enthusiast’s “America’s Top 100 Wine Restaurants” in 2017. He rejoined Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits as the Restaurant Sales Manager and Director of Wine Education in 2018, the same year he first passed the Master Sommelier examination. He loves consuming and learning all things alcohol and is committed to furthering the drinking and hospitality culture in Hawaii. You can find him hosting a new podcast called “Wine &...” where they talk all things wine and what intertwines with it.

Nana Meriwether is a Former Miss USA 2012 born in South Africa and grew up in the Washington D.C. area. She also was a professional and Olympic-level volleyball player. She graduated a 2 time NCAA All American from UCLA, played professionally in Puerto Rico and trained for the 2008 Olympic Games in Colorado Springs. She has written and contributed for Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Vogue Australia, The Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan Magazine, and many more. In 2007, Meriwether co-founded a 501 © (3) international non-profit organization, Meriwether Foundation. Focused on improving health and empowering communities, they have run projects in 5 countries including Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, and South Africa. Meriwether currently works at ConsenSys, a blockchain accelerator and software company created by the co-founder of Ethereum. She also started her own company, Cale, a wellness company focused on alcohol alternatives. The brand innovatively makes wine out of herbs with their first releases being low-alcoholic wine grape varietals infused with healthful, adaptogenic and functional herbs, botanicals, mushrooms, and plants. Hibiscus Pinot Noir is now available on www.DrinkCale.com

Kaliko Kauahi is an American actress. She is known for her role as Sandra in the NBC comedy television series Superstore. Additionally, she played the recurring role of Principal Kwan in the Disney Channel series Raven's Home and has appeared on television programs such as Parks and Recreation.

Best known for his groundbreaking short science fiction film: White Room: 02B3, the first of its kind 360-degree narrative film. He was a producer at Roddenberry Entertainment (Creators of Star Trek) and has worked in film and television production for the better part of 20 years. He wrote the critically acclaimed prequel comic-book adaptation of Kurt Wimmer and Christian Bale’s 2002 film Equilibrium, and a prequel to Stargate Universe.

It's A Hawaii Thing Podcast with Brooke & Lanai Welcome #YancyMedeiros. #UFC #LuckyWeLiveHawaii

Asian-American actor, filmmaker, and Eagle Scout best known for his intimidating movie roles, primarily as a villain spanning three decades. Brook Lee And Lanai Tabura welcome Yuji Okumoto.

Watch The Full 4k Interview on Its A Hawaii Thing: https://itsahawaiithing.com/blogs/podcast

His lifes purpose is simple, "Entertain and make people laugh and smile". Meet Camp Kanashiro. The talented host and comic who opened for Eddie Griffin, Cedric the Entertainer, Kat Williams, Charlie Murphy, Mike Tyson, Mike Epps, Martin Lawrence, and Monique.

Watch The Full 4k Interview on Its A Hawaii Thing: