Radio Mojo- the Podcast.

In this episode Jo chats with CEO and President of Hawaii Chamber of Commerce,  Sherry Menor McNamara about the devastation the second Hawaii lockdown is wreaking on small business. https://www.cochawaii.org/
Chris  Ramelb  http://www.southernglazers.com/location/hawaii/brings us relief in the shape of some amazing wine values and Thomas Obungen of Slug Media https://www.slug.media/shares ideas for small business on how to improve their social media presence. 


 

In this episode, Thomas Obungen of Slug Media share tips and insights into increasing your social media presence. For restuarants, this is a critical time where  social media can be a life-line. The Slugs have all the advice you need https://www.slug.media/

Kevin Hanney joins Jo for a conversation about what it's meant to be tackling COVID from beyond the kitchen, and Denise Yamaguchi introduces the first Talk Story Session ( August 20th at 4 PM) with Chefs including Michelle Karr-Ueoka, Ming Tsai, Nancy Silverton Stephan Pyles and Roy Yamaguchi. Get your tickets here   https://hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com/events/talk-story-covid-conversations/

And we find out about fine dining bento boxes from Mugen  https://www.espaciowaikiki.com/dining-at-mugen/

This week we chat local beers with Cindy Goldstein of Hawaii  Craft Brewer's Guild
http://www.hawaiibeer.org/

and Chef Marc Freiberg joins us to explain what's in this month's Chef Zone Chef Box ( it's a good one!) as well as talking about his catering company - much of the menus are plant based and super healthy.https://greenapronhi.com/
 
Dylan Butterbaugh, co owner of Manoa Chocolate Company joins Jo to talk about the wonders of chocolate and a collaboration with Old Pali Road Distillery
https://manoachocolate.com/

And we continue our support of Hawaii Foodbank with updates on the online food drive.... it's not to late to donate to this year's annual ( virtual) fundraising campaign.
https://hawaiifoodbank.org/virtual-food-drive/

When Eric Dill joined Jo to chat about making Old Pali Road Whiskey he also shared how the distillery had made the decision in April to shut down production and ramp up hand sanitizer production for local first responders. The decision, despite the fact it impacted their business, was an easy one for  the U.S Marine Corps veteran and his business partner Lt Col Ian Brooks.  "It's what we do," he says modestly. " Ian and I have been to places where civilizations have broken down so we thought if we could help at the ports, with Matson, and with first responders then we would." Distilling for 18 hours a day, they provided gallons of essential hand sanitizers until supplies were replenished.  "Its in our DNA , if there's a problem we can help with then its just what we do, I guess. "
https://www.koolaudistillery.com/about/

Moumen-el-Hajii is a well-known face on Hawaii's culinary scene. Today he takes a few moments to chat with Jo about creating meals for home cooks, his lifelong  love of baking bread and how adapting is part of a creative chef's life
https://www.instagram.com/moumencater/?hl=en
Bob McGee also joins to update us on Ponopork  https://www.ponopork.com/ 
and the impact its having around town, and Don Murphy introduces weekly specials at Murphy's - including Liver and Onions... you won't find that delicacy on many menus this week.  
Enjoy...

Ron Mizutani is having some sleepless nights. As the Hawaii Foodbank, President and CEO,  he's seen the need in our community rise by levels that are unprecedented. "We went from providing 900,000 lbs of food in March to $3.8 million pounds of food in June," he says. "The need is overwhelming."  We can help, though, as this year, Foodbank Annual Drive is online : https://hawaiifoodbank.org/ Food Drive Day is August 15th, but you can donate anytime. Please do...

On a lighter note, Tim Golden  shares his knowledge and love of beer for our regular catch up on what to drink this weekend... https://www.villagebeerhawaii.com/
Enjoy! 

Guests at Vino currently might be limited to 10 at a table and COVID dining restrictions, but once inside ( or on the patio) they are in for a treat. Chef owner DK Kodama is in the kitchen and first lady of wine, Ivy Nagayama, is waiting tables - and recommending wines, of course. Ivy joins Jo to chat about the most popular menu items at all three restaurants and on upcoming special events.
For information on Ivy's Wine Dinners, Tequila Dinners, Mexican Dinner and more :
dkrestaurants.com ; https://www.instagram.com/vinohawaii/?hl=en

Chris Ramelb of Southern Glazers Wines and Spirits  joined us for his bi monthly round up of the city's best wine offerings - this week it's all about drinking to take the heat off. Chris's recommendations are always a mixture of great value and amazing quenchability ( if it wasn't a word, it is now) .... and he's highly recommending we go in search of Vinho Verde a wine that originated in the  historic Minho province in the far north of Portugal. These delicious, crisp and unpretentious wines are perfect for any  summer evening  when the temperature is high and a crisp glass of wine beckons...

Entrepreneur and local business owner, Poni Askew joins us to share her amazing  journey through a plant-based lifestyle that started at the request of her son. Join us to hear how to begin your own journey, and how a 'flexitarian' diet may be just the thing you've been looking for!
Chris Ramelb https://www.instagram.com/masterisksomm/?hl=en produces some stellar recommendations for Father's Day wines - both to drink and to gift   and we chat with beverage Director of Karai Crab https://karaicrab.com/ about the re-opening of our favorite crabby place to dine. 
Enjoy!

As we head into another month without tourism and with restrictions in dining rooms across the State, restaurants continue to get creative with menus that offer incredible value and extremely high quality. It's a trend that may continue long after our restaurants are up and running - and one we are thankful for. With Father's Day approaching, we chat with owners of Over Easy https://www.easyquehi.com/
Feast https://www.feastrestauranthawaii.com/ and Chuck Furuya joins us to speak about the wine - and food - offerings at Vino https://dktogo.hrpos.heartland.us/
Enjoy !