What happens when your name, your skin tone, and your heritage all tell different stories? In this episode of #OldAsianLady Part 1, Christine Kaʻaloa opens up about growing up Hapa in Hawai‘i, feeling caught between cultures and struggling to embrace her multi-identities. From Japanese dance traditions to racial stereotypes to a career in New York City to teaching in South Korea, Christine shares how identity confusion shaped her confidence—and how she slowly learned to own every part of herself.

Some stories don’t fit into neat categories. They stretch across oceans, languages, and generations. Wayne Coito is one of those stories.On this episode of #OldAsianLady, Wayne is Native Hawaiian, Portuguese, Chinese, Filipino—and fluent in Vietnamese. He’s a son, a father, a storyteller, and a community builder. He lives between Hawaii and Los Angeles, between tradition and reinvention, between being seen and being misunderstood.In Part 1 of our conversation, we explore what it means to grow up in Hawaii with mixed heritage, to navigate identity politics in college, and to reclaim indigeneity not as a blood quantum—but as a worldview.In Part 2, Wayne shares how he left teaching to launch a sports business, built a career in LA, and now finds himself in the most transformative role yet: fatherhood. We talk about creative risk, cultural responsibility, and the discomfort that often leads to growth.This is a story about belonging, about building your own path when none exists—and about honoring the land, the people, and the values that shape you.**NOTE - Holo Holo (Go for a walk, stroll, adventure) all ova da creation

Some stories don’t fit into neat categories. They stretch across oceans, languages, and generations. Wayne Coito is one of those stories.

On this episode of #OldAsianLady, Wayne is Native Hawaiian, Portuguese, Chinese, Filipino—and fluent in Vietnamese. He’s a son, a father, a storyteller, and a community builder. He lives between Hawaii and Los Angeles, between tradition and reinvention, between being seen and being misunderstood.

In Part 1 of our conversation, we explore what it means to grow up in Hawaii with mixed heritage, to navigate identity politics in college, and to reclaim indigeneity not as a blood quantum—but as a worldview.

In Part 2, Wayne shares how he left teaching to launch a sports business, built a career in LA, and now finds himself in the most transformative role yet: fatherhood. We talk about creative risk, cultural responsibility, and the discomfort that often leads to growth.This is a story about belonging, about building your own path when none exists—and about honoring the land, the people, and the values that shape you.

This episode discusses learning disabilities and how understanding them can change lives.

If you’re a parent, teacher, or anyone supporting a child who struggles in school, this conversation may help you recognize the signs early and respond with empathy.In this deeply personal episode of #OldAsianLady, Sharon continues her conversation with her mom, JoJene Landon — uncovering her lifelong struggles with a learning disability that went undiagnosed for decades.

They talk openly about what school was like for her as a child, how shame and misunderstanding shaped her confidence, and what today’s parents can look for if their children are struggling in similar ways.

How much do you really know about your own mother’s past?In this deeply personal episode of #OldAsianLady, Sharon sits down with her mom, JoJene B Landon to uncover some unheard stories of her life—from a tiny sleeping porch in post WWII in Idaho, to working as a domestic at 8, to joining the Army because she was broke, to being finally diagnosed with Dyslexia by John Hopkins after already attaining 2 master's degrees.Life often works in mysterious ways. When JoJene meets the love of her life entailing life as a military spouse moving half way around the world where her younger son was born and where she unexpectedly gains two Asian children. It’s a story of grit, grace, and the quiet courage of women who never stop adapting.

From circular keyboards to copper sculptures, KK’s life is anything but ordinary.In this moving episode of #OldAsianLady, I sit down with Kurt Ken Kaminaka—a third-generation Japanese-American (Sansei) born in Hawaii - whose creative journey spans music, visual art, real estate, and film making. But beneath the vibrant artistry lies a story of profound grief.His most personal and transformative project came after the heartbreaking loss of his only son, a gifted musician who battled depression. KK poured his grief and love into creating a feature-length film, If This Is Goodbye - honoring Chase’s legacy.This episode is a moving story of resilience, creativity, and finding light even in the darkest times.

What happens when you leap into the unknown—and stay for 40 years?In this heartwarming episode of the #OldAsianLady, a Minnesota native moved to Hawaii on a whim and built a life filled with love, loss, and quiet courage. His journey from bartending, golf and Saying No to navigating other challenges along the way, Ross Butterfield shares the lessons that shaped him—and the golden rule that still guides him.Whether you're facing retirement, grieving a loved one, or wondering if you’ll ever feel at home again, this episode reminds us: empathy, connection, and a little humor go a long way.

After taking a short break, Old Asian Lady is back with stories encountered during my travels this summer.

Stay tuned because Season 3 is coming soon!

In this Part 2 episode on #OldAsianLady, Sophie Lee continues with her amazing journey. From starting two companies to buying her first home in Taipei at 24, Sophie opens up about the emotional toll of grinding through three jobs, learning on the fly, and building a life that doesn’t look like anyone else’s.

Sophie shares:

- The reality of starting a business with friends and what she’s learned

- Navigating burnout, breakdowns, and how she keeps pushing through

- Self-reliance, making decisions and taking responsibility

- Why self-awareness and risk-taking are key to resilience

Whether you're chasing independence, balancing multiple jobs, or building a dream one decision at a time—this episode is your reminder that courage isn't loud. Sometimes, it looks like a woman quietly carving her own path.

What if failure wasn’t the end—but the start of becoming who you really are?

In Part 1 of this soul-stirring episode of #OldAsianLady, we sit down with Sophie Lee, a young Taiwanese entrepreneur whose story is anything but conventional. From dropping out of Taiwan’s rigid education system to rebuilding her confidence in the U.S., Sophie’s journey is a masterclass in self-discovery, cultural dissonance, and fierce independence.

Sophie opens up about:

- Feeling lost in Taiwan's traditional school system

- Moving to Seattle, freedom, learning how to survive and thrive

- Reclaiming her identity and building confidence abroad

- Returning to Taiwan and fitting back in

Whether you’ve ever struggled with not fitting in, wrestled with family expectations, or wondered how far you’d go for a chance at freedom—Sophie’s story is a reminder that sometimes, breaking the rules is the first step to rewriting your own.