The Blue Hawaii Podcast

*Recorded before COVID-19 completely upended every aspect of daily life*

Third time's the charm, better late than never, we're back! To kick off season three, we sit down with FairVote's Maria Perez (17:15) to learn about Ranked Choice Voting -- the hot new political sensation sweeping the nation, coming soon to Hawaii's Presidential Preference Poll. (Supposedly on April 4, at least for now?) We also respond to some rather discourteous listener comments and shout out friend of the show Kim Coco Iwamoto's return to Hawaii politics.

Stay close (but not too close) dear listeners -- more episodes to get you through quarantine are coming soon!

PS: to learn more https://www.fairvote.org/

Hey, let's talk about Season 3. We missed y'all.

In our season 2 finale, we're talking baseball, billionaires, booing, braddahs, bluster, and a whole bunch of other BS. What's in store for Season 3? Well, you'll just have to stay tuned to find out!

We're bringing out the heavy hitters! Our BFF @HawaiiDelilah joins us for a special interview with Senator Kai Kahele, who is running to be our next District 2 Congressman (representing rural Oahu and the neighbor islands).  Hear his story and what inspired him to launch a primary run against Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, what's changed since she dropped out, and why he thinks a different vision is needed to steer us into the future -- particularly on Native Hawaiian rights (Mauna Kea, Waimanalo, and Kahuku, the sites of three key standoffs, are all in CD2).  We also have some banter on the lighter side, reminisce about his days playing UH Rainbow Warriors volleyball, and get the top restaurant recommendations for a trip to #Hilo. Check it out!

73! We're back from a very long hiatus and kicking off the 2020 election season by interviewing RJ Brown, who's running to be Honolulu's next prosecutor. (In case you haven't been watching the news, things over there are ....not great!) We talk about his vision for restoring integrity and accountability to the office, the importance of criminal justice reform and ending our reliance on private prisons and over-incarceration, Big 12 Football, the New Testament, chicken feet, and so much more. Give it a listen and stay tuned for more great interviews coming soon!

This week, we're recapping all your need-to-know news and poking fun at a certain PBS classic (HEADS UP: IT'S WISHBONE, THE DOG THAT READS STORIES TO WHITE CHILDREN).

Later, Kelly Dietrich, CEO of the National Democratic Training Committee ("NDTC") joins us via Skype to talk about the free in-person training that the NDTC is putting on in Honolulu September 14, 2019 from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the ILWU Local 142 Office. If you've ever wanted to get involved in Democratic politics, this is the event for you!

Also, shout out this week to The Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice for hosting us, and to Officer Ernie Chang of the Honolulu Police Department for just being such a damn good guy.

If you like what you hear, like us on the socialz, tag a friend in our post sharing the episode, and share the episode yourself!

Bem-vindo to another "podcast maravilhoso!" Ryan and Josh went to Hawaii Public Radio's Atherton Studio and sat down with the wonderful and inimitable Sandy Tsukiyama, host of Brazilian Experience on HPR-1.  We talk about her travels in Brazil, what it's like to host a radio show, the passing of Joao Gilberto, the legacy of bossa nova, the tragedy of the #Amazon fires, President Jair Bolsonaro's malfeasance, and so much more. If you like jazz and Latin music -- or if you just like learning new things and having a wonderful time -- be sure to listen, share, and check out her show, Sunday nights from 6-8pm!

https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/programs/brazilian-experience-0

The world's eyes are on Mauna Kea and the battle over the Thirty Meter Telescope, but newspaper headlines and social media clicks only tell part of the story. To try and gain a deeper understanding, Josh sat down with dear friend of the show Kumu Hans Keoni Wilhelm, PhD, who teaches Hawaiian language, history, and culture at Kamehameha Schools. We were also joined by two of Kumu Hans' amazing former students, Tiana Kuni and Max Mukai, who shared their stories and perspectives with us. (Tiana recently returned from Pu'uhonua o Pu'uhuluhulu, and Max headed there shortly after our recording).

We discuss the false narrative of "science vs. religion," what it truly means for something to be "sacred," how this inspiring movement is about so much more than "just a telescope," and why everyone who cares about the future of Hawaii -- Kanaka and non-Kanaka alike -- should take a stand. Please listen, share, and keep the conversation going!

#KuKiaiMauna #AoleTMT

(Recorded while emergency proclamation was still in effect, post-Dwayne The RockJohnson but pre- Damian Marley)

SPECIAL EPISODE ALERT: DANE COOK IS IN THE STUDIO (by phone).

Episode 69 (nice) is LIVE. We talk with world-famous comedian Dane Cook about his new "Tell It Like It Is" tour; his show THIS SATURDAY, JULY 20th, AT THE BLAISDELL CONCERT HALL; how his comedy's changed over the years; what he's been up to since we last saw him; and whether he'll follow us back on Twitter (probably not).

Look, we know we're *supposed* to be on summer break, but we couldn't turn down an interview with the guy who shaped comedy for a generation -- and you shouldn't either! Take a listen, and share with your friends!

Also, be sure to grab tickets to his show tomorrow (7/20)! You can get tickets here: https://www1.ticketmaster.com/event/0A005587A2D93115?camefrom=CFC_BLAISDELL_DANECOOK_WEB

Also, Summer Break startsssss....NOW!

HEY YOU GUYS LISTEN TO THIS ONE! In probably our most important (and fun) interview yet (ever?), we spoke by phone to Desmond Meade, Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World! Hear about his amazing story and the battle for voting rights and restorative justice in Florida and around the country.

Our conversation touched on everything from A (Abrams, Stacey) all the way to Z (Zippy's Zip-Pac)!

We're taking a short summer vacation, but we'll see you soon....maybe in time for the 2nd Democratic debate? Until then, listen, subscribe, and tell a friend about your favorite podcast [as long as it's us]!