In Episode 16 of Respect with Matt Gonsalves, Matt sits down with Kauaʻi local Ralph Cushnie.Ralph shares his roots growing up in Kaumakani, Kauaʻi and discusses what it takes to operate a successful civil contracting business alongside his wife.Drawing from his service as a member of the Hawaiʻi Elections Commission, Ralph opens up about his firsthand observations of local election administration. He details the operational challenges, procedural inconsistencies, and systemic issues he has uncovered during his time on the commission, offering an insider perspective on the state's voting processes and administrative oversight.

Chapters:

00:00-00:36 - Introduction

00:37-01:10 - Growing up on Kauai

01:11-01:44 - Growing up in Kaumakani

01:45-02:16 - Dad Worked in Sugar Industry

02:17-03:31 - Running a Business With His Wife

03:32-04:43 - Difficult Times in Business

04:44-05:24 - Proudest Moments in Business

05:25-05:50 - Learning to Work Hard in Plantation Community

05:51-06:42 - How He Began With Elections Commission

06:43-14:03 - Issues Heʻs Found With Hawaii Elections

14:04-20:08 - Shocking Issues With Hawaii Elections Process

20:09-22:05 - How Long Have These Things Been Going On?

22:06-23:08 - How Confident Can We Be in Election Results?

23:09-26:59 - Politics As Usual in Elections Process?

27:00-28:41 - Reaction He Gets From People About What He Shares

28:42-32:56 - Being Associated with Election Deniers Movement

32:57-39:47 - What Would He Like to Change About Hawaiiʻs Elections Process

39:48-42:12 - What Do Critics Misunderstand About Him?

42:13-44:09 - Should People Still Vote?

44:10-44:58 - Any Last Words?

44:59-46:26 - Sharing Videos and Information on Instagram Channel

46:27-47:18 - Closing#MattGonsalves #Kauai #HawaiiElections #RespectPodcast #RalphCushnie #HawaiiPolitics #KauaiLocal #ElectionsCommission #HawaiiPodcast #KauaiBusiness

In Episode 15 of Respect with Matt Gonsalves, we sit down with Henani Enos for an inspiring conversation about culture, education, and the ocean.Raised in the Hawaiian Homesteads of Anahola on Kauaʻi, Henani shares how his roots shaped his passion for his community and Hawaiian culture. He opens up about his work as an educator at Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu—a Hawaiian immersion school on Hawaiʻi Island—where he teaches math, science, and navigation, as well as his role as a lecturer at UH Hilo.Henani also takes us on the water as he reflects on his experiences as a voyager with the Polynesian Voyaging Society, sailing aboard iconic canoes like Hōkūleʻa and Hikianalia, and how traditional wayfinding connects to educating the next generation.👉 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to "Respect with Matt Gonsalves" for more inspiring conversations from Hawaii!

Chapters:

00:00-02:56 - Intro and Growing up in Anahola

02:57-05:51- The Importance of Respect

05:52-07:28 - The Younger Generation and Respect

07:29-10:32 - Deciding to Help Preserve Hawaiian Language & Culture

10:33-12:47 - The State of ʻOlelo Hawaiʻi

12:48-17:43 - Difference Between Hawaiian Immersion and Other Schools

17:44-21:20 - Ethnomathematics Explained

21:21-24:27 - Lessons from Sailing

24:28-26:14 - The Distraction of Cell phones & Technology

26:15-30:40 - Lack of Hawaiian Language Kumu

30:41-35:21 - Best and Most Challenging Parts of Sailing

35:22-36:53 - Is it Scary to Be on a Canoe in the Middle of the Ocean?

36:54-39:14 - Favorite Places Sailing has Taken Him

39:15-42:24 - The Privilege of Sailing on Hōkūleʻa

42:25-48:47 - Instilling Confidence in the Rising Generation

48:48-52:28 - A Favorite Hawaiian Proverb

52:29-53:59 - Improving the World by Learning our Culture54:00-54:48 - Closing and Aloha

#RespectWithMattGonsalves #HenaniEnos #Hokulea #PolynesianVoyagingSociety #OleloHawaii #HawaiianImmersion #Anahola #Kauai #HawaiiPodcast #Wayfinding #Nawahi

In this powerful episode of Respect with Matt Gonsalves, we sit down with veteran broadcaster and substance abuse counselor, Alema Harrington, for an inspiring, open, and candid conversation about life, career, and recovery.Alema opens up about what it was like growing up in Hawaii under the wing of his legendary father, entertainer and actor Al Harrington, and how that shaped his path. He reflects on his decades-long career in sports broadcasting—spanning both Hawaii and Utah—sharing behind-the-scenes stories and lessons learned on air.Most importantly, Alema shares his deeply personal journey through a decades-long struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. He discusses the turning points that led to his recovery and details his impactful work today as an Advanced Substance Use Disorder Counselor (SUDC), helping others find hope, healing, and freedom from addiction.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, help is available. You are not alone.👉 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to "Respect with Matt Gonsalves" for more inspiring conversations! All episodes are also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.Chapters:00:00-02:55 - Introduction02:56-06:33 - Growing up in Hawaii06:34-08:25 - Being Al Harrington's Son08:26-11:46 - Having a Dad as an Actor11:47-14:33 - Having a Twin Brother14:34-17:22 - How He Ended Up at BYU17:23-20:28 - Winning a National Championship at BYU20:29-21:01 - Fry Sauce in Utah21:02-24:45 - Kalani Sitake as BYU Head Coach24:46-28:52 - How He Got Into Broadcasting28:53-33:45 - Broadcasting Mentors & Working for the Utah Jazz33:46-38:07 - Covering Sports in Utah38:08-44:48 - Introduction to Drugs44:49-48:26 - Living as an Addict48:27-53:02 - Lowest Points as an Addict53:03-57:31 - Saved by the Grace of God57:32-58:34 - The Long Battle vs Addiction58:35-1:02:08 - How He's Doing Today1:02:09-1:05:44 - His Message to Those Struggling with Addiction1:05:45-1:10:07 - His Mission to Help Others1:10:08-1:13:17 - Grateful for Hawaii and the Aloha Spirit1:13:18-1:16:20 - Matt Thanks Alema for Mentorship & Friendship1:16:21-1:16:52 - Closing and Aloha#RespectWithMattGonsalves #AlemaHarrington #AddictionRecovery #AlHarrington #HawaiiBroadcasting #UtahSports #SubstanceUseCounselor #OvercomingAddiction #RecoveryIsPossible #MentalHealthAwareness #Inspiration #PodcastEpisode

Welcome back to the Respect with Matt Gonsalves podcast! 🎙️

In this episode, Matt sits down with a household name in Hawaii journalism—Keahi Tucker, veteran news anchor at Hawaii News Now.

Keahi takes us on a journey back to his roots, sharing what it was like growing up on the beautiful island of Kauai and how those early years shaped his life and career. He dives deep into the fast-paced world of broadcast journalism, revealing both the most rewarding moments and the toughest challenges of working in TV news today.

Plus, it’s not all serious news talk! Keahi lets us in on a few local secrets, including his absolute favorite surf spot and his ultimate go-to meal whenever he’s back home on Kauai. 🏄‍♂️🤙

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, comment, and subscribe for more inspiring conversations with incredible guests!

Chapters:

(00:00) Intro(00:32) Growing up on Kauai(02:12) Studying Journalism and Starting Career(02:37) Growing Up "Haole" and Poor (08:08) Family Life Growing Up(09:12) Importance of Coaches and Mentors(12:00) Why He Chose Broadcasting(12:50) The News Stories He Remembers Most(18:29) The Best Part of TV News(21:18)The Hardest Part of Being in TV News(23:29) How Has TV News Changed(26:03) Is There Too Much Weather in Newscasts?(27:34) How He Handles Criticism(29:06) Being Listed Amongst the Hawaii Broadcasting Legends(32:13) His Favorite Surf Spot(33:40) Favorite Food Spot on Kauai(34:20) Who is the Funniest Reporter/Anchor at HNN?(34:52) Who is the Smartest at HNN?(36:27) Sharing the News with Hawaii Each Day(38:13) Ending

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Matsunaga, a legendary former digital media teacher from Kauaʻi, to look back on his incredible career.

For years, Kevin led the award-winning digital media team at Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School (CKMS), putting Hawaiʻi's young creators on the national map. Kevin opens up about what it was really like inside the classroom and shares why teaching digital media is about so much more than just learning how to operate a camera.

He talks about the immense gratification of watching middle schoolers grasp life-changing, real-world skills—such as true teamwork, navigating tight deadlines, and collaborating under pressure. Kevin also takes us down memory lane, sharing stories from the many national media competitions he and his students traveled to across the United States.

Whether you are an educator, a digital creator, or someone who loves inspiring stories from the Garden Island, you won't want to miss Kevin's insights on fostering the next generation of storytellers.

If you enjoyed this interview, please hit the LIKE button, SUBSCRIBE to our channel, and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

In this special episode, we celebrate the incredible life and legacy of a true Kauai broadcasting legend, Fig Mitchell. 📻✨

For decades, Fig was the voice of Kauai sports, but his impact went far beyond the microphone. Join us as we look back at how Fig uniquely uplifted our community—specifically how he made local youth athletes feel like absolute superstars. From his passionate play-by-play commentary to the iconic, personalized nicknames he bestowed upon young players, Fig had a rare gift for making every athlete feel important, seen, and valued.

Whether you grew up listening to him on the radio, had the privilege of being given a nickname by him, or just love Kauai's rich sports history, this tribute is a journey down memory lane for anyone touched by his voice and big heart.

Share your favorite Fig Mitchell memories or your sports nickname in the comments below! 👇

The incredible story behind Hawaii’s most iconic snack 🍙✨

In this episode, we sit down with Joni Funamura-Sasil to honor the legacy of her late mother, Barbara Funamura—a visionary nutritionist, entrepreneur, and the legendary creator of the Spam Musubi.

While the Spam Musubi is globally recognized today, its journey began in the early 1980s on the island of Kauai. Joni shares the fascinating history of how her mother first put the Spam Musubi on the menu at her restaurant, Joni-Hana, located at the Kukui Grove Center in Lihue.

Beyond her culinary genius, Barbara was known for her incredible warmth, kindness, and unwavering Aloha for everyone she met. Joni reflects on growing up surrounded by her mother's generous spirit and how that legacy of love continues to touch lives today.

Whether you're a passionate foodie, a lover of Hawaiian history, or someone looking for an inspiring story of community and family, this episode is a must-watch!

💬 We’d love to hear from you!What does Aloha mean to you, and where did you have your very first Spam Musubi? Let us know in the comments below!

🔔 Subscribe to the Podcast for more deep-dives into Hawaii’s history, culture, and local legends.

#SpamMusubi #BarbaraFunamura #KauaiHistory #HawaiiPodcast #JoniHana #HawaiianFood #SpamMusubiHistory #AlohaSpirit #KauaiEats #HawaiiHistory #LocalFoodHawaii #KauaiCommunity #FoodOriginStories #HawaiiCulture #PodcastEpisode

Happy Father’s Day! 🎙️ In this very special episode, I am joined by a truly extraordinary guest—my own father, Gerald Gonsalves.Join us as we dive deep into his life story, exploring the foundations that shaped him into the man, father, and mentor he is today. Dad shares what it was like growing up near the shores of Waikiki Beach and how watching his own parents instilled in him a relentless, lifelong work ethic.He also opens up about a defining chapter of his young life: serving in the National Guard and the immense sacrifice of leaving his young family behind to deploy to Vietnam in the late 1960s. Finally, we look back on his incredible legacy in education, reflecting on nearly four decades dedicated to inspiring generations of students as a history teacher.This episode is dedicated to him and to all the incredible fathers and father figures out there who sacrifice, guide, and inspire us every day.#FathersDay #FathersDay2026 #HappyFathersDay #PodcastEpisode #VietnamVeteran #NationalGuard #HistoryTeacher #MilitaryFamilies#Waikiki #HawaiiLife #LocalHawaii #HawaiiHistory #FamilyHistory

Welcome back to the podcast! In Episode # 8, we talk with Mel Rapozo—current Kauai County Council Chair, former police officer, and Air National Guard veteran—to discuss his lifelong dedication to public service and his campaign for Mayor of Kauai and Niʻihau.From wearing the uniform to leading the County Council, Mel brings decades of unique, boots-on-the-ground experience to the table. We dive deep into his background, why he got into politics, the pressing issues facing the people of Kauai and Niʻihau today, and what his executive vision looks like for the future of the Garden Isle.If you want to educate yourself about the upcoming election on Kauai, this is a conversation you need to hear!👉 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to stay informed on Hawaii’s local leadership!#Kauai #MelRapozo #KauaiMayor #HawaiiPolitics #KauaiCountyCouncil #Niihau #KauaiPolice #AirNational Guard #HawaiiPodcast #GardenIsle #LocalGovernment #HawaiiElections #PublicServiceHawaii

Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode, we talk story with Felicia Cowden, current Kauai County Councilmember, and candidate for Kauai Mayor.Felicia joins us to discuss her vision for the Garden Isle, the unique challenges facing Kauai's local communities, and why she is stepping up to run for the island's highest executive office.If you care about local politics, the future of Kauai, and real solutions for our community, this is an episode you cannot miss!👉 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to stay updated on local voices shaping Hawaii!#Kauai #KauaiMayor #FeliciaCowden #KauaiCounty Council #HawaiiPolitics #KauaiElections #GardenIsle #KauaiCommunity #HawaiiPodcast #LocalGovernment #KauaiHousing #PublicSafetyHawaii