When she was 7 years old, Kim-Anh Nguyen and her family were uprooted from their home country of Vietnam after the war. Nguyen assimilated quickly in America, and she forged a path for herself in science as a researcher. She now heads the Blood Bank of Hawaii, which allows her to do what she says she loves best – connect with people.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawai‘i.

Visit the Long Story Short website at: http://pbshawaii.org/lss/

As the daughter of a wildlife biologist father and kumu hula mother, Ulalia Woodside’s passion for the natural world was rooted in her since childhood. This early passion blossomed into a career in protecting Hawai‘i’s diverse natural resources. She is now Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawai‘i.

Visit the Long Story Short website at: http://pbshawaii.org/lss/

Strength and grit were the two values that Lois Kim’s Korean American parents instilled in her from an early age. But when tragedy struck, she turned to drugs, which took her down a dark path that resulted in prison time. She’s since served her time, and is now using the power of storytelling to share her exploration of vulnerability – and a new source of strength.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawai‘i.

Visit the Long Story Short website at: http://pbshawaii.org/lss/

Melveen Leed’s music career spans over five decades and has taken her around the world. However, in many ways, she says she’s still “da tita from Moloka‘i.” She opens up about life’s challenges: a childhood spent in two households and on two islands, a “nightmare” performance in Russia, and why she’s found a new sense of peace and personal happiness in her life.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawai‘i.

Visit the Long Story Short website at: http://pbshawaii.org/lss/

An idyllic childhood spent outdoors in Hilo set the stage for Suzanne Case’s lifelong commitment to the preservation of Hawai‘i’s natural resources, first as a conservation lawyer, and then as the executive director of The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i for 14 years. Her deep love of nature has helped guide her current leadership role, as chairperson at the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawai‘i.

Visit the Long Story Short website at: http://pbshawaii.org/lss/

Long Story Short looks back on three previous guests who paved their own paths in life and followed their instincts, often against the grain of society’s expectations. Featured: Marion Higa, who spoke truth to power as Hawai‘i’s State Auditor; Kitty Lagareta (now Kitty Yannone), CEO of public relations firm Communications Pacific, whose career has been punctuated by a healthy dose of risk; and Kimi Werner, who gave up her success in competitive spearfishing to reconnect with the ocean in a more meaningful way as an environmental advocate.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawai‘i.

Visit the Long Story Short website at: http://pbshawaii.org/lss/

Kamuela Enos’ vision for his community of Waiʻanae on West O‘ahu considers his deep regard for ancestral values, as well as an appreciation for contemporary innovation. He serves as director of social enterprise at MAʻO Organic Farms, a non-profit that aims to connect Waiʻanae youth to the land, while fostering in them workforce and life skills.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawai‘i.

Visit the Long Story Short website at: http://pbshawaii.org/lss/

Fred Hemmings has lived life as a waterman, an entrepreneur and a lawmaker – but he says he’s most proud of being a “local boy.” He shares his experience growing up in Honolulu in the ’50s and ’60s surfing alongside Duke Kahanamoku in Waikīkī, and how his time as an amateur surfer led him to a career that championed professional surfing.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawai‘i.

Visit the Long Story Short website at: http://pbshawaii.org/lss/

Augie Tulba, known to the world as comedian Augie T, understood the value of hard work from a young age growing up in Kalihi Valley Housing. He started working long before his comedy career, and today still juggles his weekday morning radio program, a day job and comedy gigs. After 26 years performing comedy, he has found it to be a source of healing that has helped him make sense of his childhood, his family and his adult life.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawai‘i.

Visit the Long Story Short website at: http://pbshawaii.org/lss/

As someone who dropped out of high school once and college twice, Tony Wagner has used his negative experiences in the education system to spark change. A Senior Research Fellow at the Learning Policy Institute at Harvard University and acclaimed author of six books, he now travels the world speaking to educators, community groups and foundations about reimagining the way that students learn in the new age of innovation.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawai‘i.

Visit the Long Story Short website at: http://pbshawaii.org/lss/