Talk Story with Aunty Piilani

In this episode, Piilani returns to the Big Island, where bartending at the Naniloa Hotel and baking cakes in the KHBC kitchen set the stage for a bold leap into catering. She shares the story of her first big event—a building dedication for Senator Elroy Osorio—pulled off with the help (and exhaustion) of aunts, sisters, and friends. Along the way, she fills in a portrait of her grandmother, Julia Stevens, a remarkable woman with 17 siblings, 11 children of her own, and five husbands, each lost to the rugged ranch life of Hawaii.

From waiting tables in Waikīkī to serving at Tiki Tops restaurant and eventually launching her own lunchwagon, this episode traces the early days of Aunty Piilani’s food service career. With the help of Honey and Pappy Ho — and their son Don Ho, who was just on the rise — she found her footing at the legendary Honey’s Tavern in Kaneohe. She shares stories of first-day disasters (sorry, Aunty Ginny!) and a sweet rendition of the “Taro Patch Song” and closes with advice for would-be restauranteurs from the lessons she learned.

In this episode, Aunty Piilani brings closure to the stories of Jimmy and Phillip—and the circumstances that led to her marriage to Kenneth Haina. It was a union shaped by family pressure, misplaced hopes, and withheld truths, including love letters that never reached her. Though the marriage didn’t last, and the divorce brought its own heartbreak, Aunty Piilani reflects on that time with honesty and acceptance. This is a story about youthful naiveté, quiet resilience, and learning what love is—and isn’t.

In Part Two of High School Heartbreaker, Aunty Piilani looks back on what happened to her engagement to James Higashita, a few other teenage romances, and some creative sneaking out of the house. There’s also a bathing suit mishap, and a hint of how her dream of becoming the perfect 1950s housewife eventually met real life.

In this first half of our look at her high school years, Aunty Piilani shares a few memories of daily life at Hilo High—her least favorite classes, her time as a cheerleader, and the steady stream of suitors who didn’t quite make the cut (often for some hilarious reasons). Next episode, we’ll pick up with her final high school romances and escapades.

In this episode, we start by talking about Uncle Abe’s role in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, then touch on new details about Uncle Herbert’s time in the Korean War. From there, we look at Aunty Piilani's father, Frank Rupert, and his time as a prisoner of war in Japan during World War II. But, as often happens, the conversation wandered into other stories — from how he fell in love with a Red Cross nurse, to how both he and Aunty's mother went on to build very different lives after the war. It’s a bit of history, a bit of family drama, and another chapter in her story.

To celebrate our tenth episode, we’re sharing some outtakes—false starts, unexpected tangents, and a lot of laughter. And no, we weren’t drinking. We just get like this sometimes. Thanks for being with us. We’ll be back next time with more stories.

On this Memorial Day, my mom shares what she remembers about World War II and the relatives who answered the call to serve. Though she was very young, Aunty Piilani recalls foxholes in the yard, the arrival of Spam, and the powerful feeling of patriotism that shaped her view of the U.S. military. She reflects on family members who served—especially Uncle Jimmy, who gave up a promising Olympic swimming future, and Uncle Herbert, wounded in the Korean War. And yes, of course there’s singing—each military branch gets its anthem, delivered Aunty Piilani-style.

In this episode, Aunty Piilani looks back on her time in the Civil Air Patrol as a teenager in the 1950s. She shares what she learned, how she earned a spot at a national encampment at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, and how she unexpectedly found herself starring in a military training film—complete with Hollywood treatment. Along the way, she recalls a side trip to ride the roller coaster at Coney Island and reflects on a dream she had about her son becoming an Air Force pilot… a dream that eventually came true.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes personal accounts of natural disasters and loss.

In part two of our tsunami story, Aunty Piilani continues her reflections—this time touching on the 1960 Hilo tsunami and the lives, both human and otherwise, lost in its wake. She remembers the long road to recovery, from clean-up efforts to finding a sense of normalcy again. Along the way, she shares how these two tidal waves shaped her sense of safety, community, and memory—including a surprising story about Suki the monkey, who left as memorable a mark as any storm. This episode is about loss, resilience, and the moments that stay with us long after the water recedes.