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, has sold out shows in LA, NY, DC and Hawai’i, and most recently just released his new song “Sunshine” which is a song basking in positivity and feel-good warmth pairing a swaying backbeat with smooth vocals and sandy saxophone, the 20-year-old phenom sets a scene of inner beauty to match his Hawaiian home.

In this episode we talk about growing up in Kahuku, getting into music, moving away to Washington, his relationship with his dad, his journey on American Idol, his weight loss journey, his current projects, and so much more. Enjoy!

Filmed at: https://www.shangrilahawaii.org/

Find Iam here: https://www.instagram.com/wtongi/

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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. Enjoy!

Find Kanoe here: https://www.instagram.com/kanoelehua/

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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 attendant, her favorite things about her jobs, her family, lei making, and so much more. Enjoy!

Find Kawehi here: https://www.instagram.com/ladywehi/

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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 operations, and invented the rescue sled that the ski tows. He has collected more than 1000 trophies over the years and participated in more than 30 Eddie Aikau Big Wave Surf contests on O’ahu’s North Shore. In 2006 he won the ISA tandem surfing world championship and is among the very small group of people that has won both the Quicksilver Eddie Aikau Waterman of the year award and the Duke Kahanamoku Waterman Hall of Fame.

In this episode we talk about growing up in Makaha, the legacy of his father, getting into ocean safety, his modeling and acting career, the film industry here in Hawai’i, what it means to be a waterman, and so much more. Enjoy!Find Brian here: https://www.instagram.com/briankeaulana/

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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, winners of the 2010 Mai Tai Rumble. This father of 2 has 6 full length albums out and his love for music grows just like his garden. With his partner, he created Yogarden, a regenerative organic farm offering volunteer days every Thursday.

*We had some unfortunate audio issues in this episode, but we hope it's still listenable...sorry for the inconvenience*

In this episode we talk about growing up with his family’s deli business, getting into music, traveling solo, his music career, ‘āina work, yoga, fatherhood, and so much more. Enjoy!

Find Paul here: https://www.instagram.com/paulizakmusic/

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Gene Villiatora is an entrepreneur and chef from the island of O’ahu. He is owner of ‘Ai Pono Cafe, which is a Hawai’i street food restaurant in Costa Mesa, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. He has been in the culinary arts since the age of 18 when he started as a dishwasher 25 years ago at the California Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Since then he has found his true calling in the industry and has held high profile positions such as being the personal chef for Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, the previous owners of the UFC and all Station Casino Brands in Vegas. In 2008 he was a contestant on the fifth season of the reality television competition Top Chef. Currently he is on a mission to reintroduce Hawai’i street food to the community.In this episode we talk about growing up in Hawai’i, moving to Las Vegas, getting into the culinary arts, opening ‘Ai Pono Cafe, his unique style of marketing, social media drama, future goals, and so much more. Enjoy!Find Gene here: https://www.instagram.com/aiponocafe/-

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Jasmine Trias is an International Platinum-selling Recording Artist from the island of O’ahu. She first rose to fame as a top 3 finalist on season 3 of the hit TV show ‘American Idol’. With her signature trademark Hawaiian plumeria in her hair, she stole the hearts of the nation and beyond going on to become an International Superstar with Universal Records, and was named “R&B Artist of the year” at the Philippine Music Awards. She also is the first ever Las Vegas Headliner from American Idol, and continues to perform live on tour to sell-out audiences around the world. Not only does she have her own day on May 13th in Hawai’i, but she has also worked with some of the most recognizable brands in the world, such as Coca Cola, Ford, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and McDonald’s.

In this episode we talk about singing from an early age, auditioning for American Idol at 16 years old, her American Idol journey, living in the Philippines, moving to Vegas and meeting her husband, her future plans, and so much more. Enjoy!

Find Jasmine here: https://www.instagram.com/jasminetrias/

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Sterling Higa is an entrepreneur and change-maker from the island of O’ahu. He is a former teacher and writer who has taught creative writing and performing arts in numerous high schools. At 19 years old he became the youngest slam poetry state champion ever and has traveled the country representing Hawai’i at Thirteen poetry festivals. This Harvard graduate also is a co-founder and served as executive director of Housing Hawai’i’s future, a nonprofit movement creating opportunities for Hawai’i’s next generation by ending the workforce housing shortage. In 2025, he resigned from his position and is ready for his next adventure as an entrepreneur.

In this episode we talk about life as a townie, going from a bad student to a Harvard graduate, falling in love with poetry, debate team, housing Hawai’i’s future, his leap of faith meeting his wife, and so much more. Enjoy!

Find Sterling here: https://www.instagram.com/sterlinghiga/

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Krystilez is an emcee and on-air radio personality from the island of O’ahu. This radio veteran has been hosting live events for over 2 decades from concerts with over 1000 people in the audience or a room of 20 kupuna. He is currently the host of a morning radio show called the HI Guys on HI93 and is the reigning #1 night show host on 102.7 Da Bomb for over 15 years. He is also a founding member of the “Angry Locals” and is the co-host of the Aloha hour podcast as well.

In this episode we talk about growing up in Nanakuli, his ethic identity, falling in love with rap, his journey into music, radio, The Angry Locals, podcasting, and so much more. Enjoy!

Find Krystilez here: https://www.instagram.com/krystilez/Buy our merch on: Official website: https://keepitaloha.com/

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Kamakakēhau Fernandez is a talented musician from the island of Maui. He is a Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning singer, Hawaiian language perpetuator and has been featured in the Hawaiian Language version of The Disney Animation Film “Moana”, in which he plays the role of Tamatoa The shiny crab. He has performed on numerous stages within the state of Hawai’i as well as stages in the continental United States and Japan. He embodies the phrase “Hawaiian at heart” and is truly an inspirational figure to all of us. He first joined us 3 years ago on episode 4 of the Hawaiiverse Podcast and now he's back today.

In this episode we talk about being adopted by a family on Maui, going to Hawaiian immersion school, understanding his cultural identity, getting into music, his other passions, and so much more. Enjoy!

Find Kamaka here: https://www.instagram.com/kkf_musicn_more/

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