Aloha mai kākou, and welcome back to the Pilina Podcast — where connection is everything. 🌺

In this episode, hosts Tiera and Shanztyn sit down with Kawehi Correa Miller, Founder and President of Aloha Mortuary, to talk story about family, community, and legacy.

Kawehi shares her journey as a mother, entrepreneur, and cultural steward, and how she has reimagined end-of-life care through a distinctly Hawaiian lens. Her work uplifts tradition, compassion, and dignity while honoring both those who have passed and the cultural values that guide the living.

This powerful conversation highlights what it means to balance leadership with motherhood, to innovate while honoring ancestry, and to lead with both strength and softness.

✨ Don’t miss this inspiring episode of the Pilina Podcast, where connection ties it all together.

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Mahalo for watching! Be sure to like, comment, share, and subscribe to support stories that keep our community connected. 🔔

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Aloha mai kākou, and welcome back to the Pilina Podcast — where connection is everything: to our stories, our culture, and the voices that shape them. We’re your hosts, Tiera and Shanztyn.

In this episode, we sit down with Leonani Puailihau — a wahine whose journey bridges community, culture, and strategy. From building ʻāina-based education programs to leading government and community relations for Turo, Leonani’s work reflects deep pilina to both people and place.

She’s also the founder of OLAOILS, blending wellness and Hawaiian values into an entrepreneurial path that empowers others. Whether she’s in the classroom, at the Capitol, or in community, Leonani leads with clarity, compassion, and cultural integrity.

We talk story about:

• How pilina (connection) shapes her life and leadership
• Navigating multiple roles — educator, entrepreneur, policy liaison, and community strategist
• The mission behind OLAOILS and wellness through a Native Hawaiian lens
• Lessons learned from planning large-scale community events and listening to the lāhui
• Why ʻāina-based education is vital for our keiki
• Strategies for navigating tough conversations and pushback
• Advice for wāhine leaders across multiple sectors
• Her vision for the next 5–10 years in business, community, and education
• The legacy of aloha she hopes to leave for future generations

Plus, we wrap up with a rapid-fire round of “What’s the Scoop?” for some fun, personal insights.

Mahalo nui loa to Leonani for sharing her mana‘o, her journey, and her unwavering dedication to uplifting our communities through culture, leadership, and pilina. Her story is a powerful reminder that connection is more than a value — it’s a practice.

If this episode inspired you, please share it forward. That’s how we grow pilina — by lifting each other up.

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@olaoilss

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Aloha mai kākou, and welcome back to the Pilina Podcast — where we share the stories of local leaders, creators, and changemakers strengthening our communities one relationship at a time. 

In this episode, we sit down with a powerhouse couple, Kana’i Picanco and his partner Brooks, who have built Kana’i’s Junk Removal from the ground up. Their growing business is rooted in hard work, strong values, and a deep commitment to serving the community with aloha. Whether clearing out old furniture, helping families through life transitions, or cleaning up after tough times, Kana’i and Brooks bring heart and integrity to every job.

What You’ll Hear:

Their personal backgrounds and how they met

The inspiration and early days of their business journey

How they divide roles and work as a team

The mission behind Kana’i’s Junk Removal and what makes it unique

Lessons learned building a business from scratch

Keeping their relationship strong while balancing work and life

Meaningful moments that remind them why they do this work

Future plans, including possible expansion to outer islands

Advice for anyone thinking about starting their own business

Our fun rapid-fire segment ‘What’s the Scoops?’ with questions about local life and favorites

And their heartfelt vision for the legacy of aloha they hope to leave in the world

Mahalo nui loa to Kana’i and Brooks for sharing their story, their heart, and their vision with us today. If this episode inspired you, please share it with someone who could use a boost — that’s how we grow community, by lifting each other up.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to Pilina Podcast for more stories that connect and empower our island communities.

If this episode moved you, please like, comment, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Mahalo to our sponsors, Power for the People & Aloha Mortuary! 

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Aloha mai kākou — and welcome back to the Pilina Podcast, where connection is everything.

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we sit down with Skyler Kamaka — former Miss Hawai‘i 2012, commercial pilot for Hawaiian Airlines, and an embodiment of modern Hawaiian wāhine strength.

From the crown to the cockpit, Skyler’s story is a testament to kuleana, resilience, and dreaming boldly. We talk story about growing up in Hawai‘i, the values that shaped her, representing our islands on national stages, and her journey to becoming one of the few Native Hawaiian women in aviation today.

🔥 In this episode:
The discipline, spirit, and grounding it takes to prepare for both hula and flight

Navigating cultural identity, legacy, and modern womanhood

And a few laughs with our rapid-fire “What’s the Scoops?” segment 🌺✈️👑

Skyler is more than a pilot — she’s a cultural carrier, a leader, and a source of inspiration to wāhine everywhere.

If this episode moved you, please like, comment, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

A huge Mahalo to our presenting sponsors Power for the People & Aloha Mortuary! Their support helps us bring the stories of Hawai'i to you! 

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Aloha & Welcome to the Pilina Podcast — where connection is everything.

In this powerful sit-down, we’re joined by James "Jimbo" La Pierre, lead vocalist of Hawaiʻi’s iconic roots reggae band, Ooklah the Moc. Known for his rich voice and deep mana, Jimbo shares more than music — he shares truth, legacy, and lived experience.

From his humble roots in Pālolo to the global stage, Jimbo opens up about:

The early days of Ooklah

His evolution as a musician and cultural practitioner

The inspirations that have guided him

And the legacy of aloha he hopes to leave behind

We talk story about life’s pivotal moments, healing through lomi lomi, and the courage it takes to let go of old versions of ourselves. Plus, don’t miss our fun segment “What’s the Scoops?” where Jimbo answers rapid-fire questions — like what plate lunch best describes his voice 🤙

Mahalo nui for watching. If this conversation moved you, please like, subscribe, and share — and leave us a comment about what pilina means to you.

A huge Mahalo to our Sponsors Power for the People & Aloha Mortuary! Without their support this would not be possible!

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