Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox Podcasts – PBS HawaiÊ»i » Podcast Feed

Revisit stories from Bill Paty, Frank Padgett and Jerry Coffee and their harrowing experiences as prisoners of war.

Bill Paty, who served as Director of the Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources, landed in German hands in Normandy, right before the D-Day Invasion.

On the other side of the world, retired Associate Justice Judge Frank Padgett parachuted into enemy territory during World War II and was held prisoner for eight months by the Japanese military.

Navy Captain Jerry Coffee spent seven years in captivity in North Vietnam.

These three stories of fortitude and faith are a testament to the strength of the human spirit and dedication to one’s country, even in the darkest of times.

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

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

Growing up in rural Maui, Kimi Werner joined her father as he free dived and hunted for fish to feed his family. Werner would discover her own passion for free diving and spearfishing, eventually becoming the U.S. National Spearfishing Champion in 2008. However, it was those early experiences living simply and off the land that inspired her to develop a more holistic relationship with the ocean and helped her define her own distinct path. As an artist, chef and world traveler, Werner combines her talents with her vast knowledge of the ocean as a speaker and educator.

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

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

Meet second-generation owners of Kamaka Hawaii, Sam and Fred Kamaka. Now celebrating 100 years in business, Kamaka Hawaii has been the ‘ukulele crafter of choice for artists around the world.

From a young age, Sam and Fred, now 94 and 92 years old, walked the halls of their father’s ‘ukulele factory. However, that the brothers would inherit the family business was far from certain. After witnessing the attack on Pearl Harbor, then being drafted to serve during World War II, the two brothers pursued their own education and career paths, taking them far from Hawai‘i and the ‘ukulele factory.

Life changed directions overnight for Sam, joined later by his brother, and the two have dutifully worked to perfect their craft and “take care of the customer,” as their father used to say. Now, having passed the torch to their own sons, the brothers reflect on their journey.

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

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

Shep Gordon’s career as a talent manager may have started by chance, but his knack for creatively developing and promoting his client’s signature image has earned him a reputation distinctly his own. Throughout his career, Gordon has cultivated close relationships with rock stars, Hollywood actors and culinary legends founded on trust and compassion. However, navigating the often tragic world of fame took a toll. He found solace on Maui, where he has spent the past 40 years embracing the culture and helping to shape Hawai‘i’s unique fusion cuisine.

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

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

Mick Kalber moved to Hawai‘i Island on a whim after a successful but draining career in television. There, he would confront the most creative and destructive of muses: the Kilauea volcano. A self-described “volcanographer,” Kalber has spent the past 30 years capturing one of the longest volcanic eruptions in recent history through the lens of a video camera, while hovering in a helicopter above the 2,000˚F lava flows.

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

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

Bryan Andaya learned how to manage conflict with civility and diplomacy at an early age while growing up on the Big Island. His ability to problem-solve became essential as a young lawyer and eventually, as the vice president and chief operation officer of L&L Franchises, Inc. Bryan provides direction and leadership to the restaurant franchise that includes L&L Drive-Inn and L&L Hawaiian Barbeque, helping to spread the spirit of aloha throughout the world, one plate lunch at a time.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawaii.

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

Monica Toguchi’s ability to adapt and evolve is evident in her role as the third-generation owner of Highway Inn. The Oahu restaurant, which specializes in local favorites, has come a long way from the charming Waipahu establishment it started as 70 years ago, growing into a modern business with a location in the booming Kakaako neighborhood. The restaurants have thrived due to Monica’s ability to lead her family business into the future – without compromising the values that define it.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawaii.

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

Glenn Medeiros’ humble childhood on Kauai did not prepare him for the international fame he would achieve after winning a Hawaii-based singing competition as a teen.

After years in the music industry, Medeiros grew disenchanted with the life of a pop sensation and turned his attention toward Hawaii’s education system, leading him to his current position as President of Saint Louis School in Honolulu.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawaii.

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

Heather Haunani Giugni is a longtime filmmaker whose passion for preserving Hawaii’s stories culminated in the establishment of ‘Ulu‘ulu, the Henry Ku‘ualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive at the University of Hawaii – West Oahu. The archive is named after her father, a longtime aide to the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye. Because of her father’s career, Heather’s early life was split between the multi-cultural world of Hawaii and the racially divided world of Washington, D.C. Heather’s latest project, the television series Family Ingredients, premieres on PBS stations across the U.S. in the summer of 2016.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawaii.

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

Rose Galera approaches cleaning as both a science and an art. Her early enthusiasm for keeping her environment safe and clean led her to a career in professional cleaning management and as a consultant and training specialist.

She is certified by the International Executive Housekeepers Association and has over 45 years of experience and expertise in the hospitality, medical, commercial, education and business cleaning arenas. She was also the first executive housekeeper of the Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki.

Her career in what she terms “cleanology” recognizes the science and technique necessary for proper sanitization. Her passion makes her a natural teacher, educating and training Hawaii’s students on proper cleaning etiquette.

Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox is a production of PBS Hawaii.

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