The Blue Hawaii Podcast

In this episode, we start by recapping Hawaii's Little League World Series Win(!) before getting into the destruction and disappointment of Hurricane Lane.

Then, at 11:15, we hop into the first of our 2 part series called Southern Stories. Back in May, Ryan went South to see his family and friends and was privileged to sit down with his friend Tony Davison. They're similar in a lot of ways. They're both Christians, they both love football, and they both love performing in theatrical productions. But, there's one big difference -- Tony is black and Ryan is (reeeeeaaally) white. They got into the roles of religion and race in Southern culture, the renaissance of black art, what it's like to grow up as a black man in Alabama, and, of course, the dopest places to eat if you're ever passing through Montgomery, Alabama. Have a listen, let us know what you think. Did you like it? Want to hear more stuff like this? Let us know!

We have an emergency alert broadcast for you from #HURRICANELANE STORMWATCH HQ (a.k.a. The Basement)! Hear about our last-minute hurricane preparations and how Josh may have become the newest Hawaii weather correspondent for Russian State Television. Plus, thanks to the impromptu 4-day weekend, Josh's wife, Antoinette Lilley, joins us for The Blue Hawaii Spousecast! We talk all the latest local and national political news and drama. (Disclaimer: Her views do not represent the views of the Office of the Public Defender).

Assuming the weather and the electricity cooperates, we'll see you Saturday as we livestream UH kicking off its football season against Colorado State -- until then, everybody stay safe and take care of one another out there! #Aloha

Dirty 30! Dear friend of the show and man-in-the-know Alan "Tuff Gong" Akao joins us to complete our post-primary breakdown, focusing on Congressional Districts 1 and 2 and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Alan also shares his thoughts on Admissions Day, how to fix Hawaii's political disengagement, and the debate over what (or who) counts as a "real progressive."

Plus: a new plan for forever war in Afghanistan, huckster scoundrel Dinesh D'Souza convinces the stupidest people in America that "democrats are actually Nazis," and we're asking the tough questions: can fish feel pain?

This week's restaurant recs are Local Boy Sushi, The Greek Marina, and Basalt Waikiki (not Bath Salts Waikiki). PS: It's almost time for college football and the return of TUAAAAAAAAA! We'll be recording (and streaming) live from Hurricane Lane HQ during Hawaii's #NCAAF season kickoff against Colorado State this weekend -- like, share, subscribe, and stay tuned for more great content!

We're back! After a quick news recap (Aloha Poke Co, Charlottesville 2: Electric Nazi Boogaloo, and #SpaceForce), we give you the first part of our Primary Election breakdown! At 14:12, we talk about Governor David Ige holding off Rep. Colleen Hanabusa to get re-elected, Josh Green's carpenter $$$ putting him over the top (and his stand-up comedy debut at the Democrat unity breakfast), and what to expect in the November showdown between David Ige and Andria Tupola (hint: TrumpTrumpTrumpTrumpTrump). Plus, we talk about Ed Case's victory in the Hawaii CD1 primary -- a rich white guy going to Congress? How is he going to fit in???

Then, at 28:19, we've got an AMAZING interview with Dr. Akiemi Glenn, a Honolulu-based scholar and cultureworker. She is the founder and curator of the Pōpolo Project, a multimedia exploration of Blackness in Hawai‘i and the larger Pacific, and she's also the director of Tele!, a language revitalization and engagement project in Hawai‘i's Tokelauan community. She shares her story and we talk about her work in language revitalization, how racism and racial structures differ between Hawaii and the mainland, and why we're currently living through a new civil rights movement. Plus, she previews some of Popolo Project's #BlackAugust programming, including TA-NEHISI COATES COMING TO THE DORIS DUKE THEATER ON AUGUST 25TH -- GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!

(PS: her "restaurant" rec is

Kaimuki Superette! Check them out for #BuyLocal #sustainable fresh fish and fresh veggies).

Stay tuned for our next episode -- friend of the show Alan Akao will join us to help complete our post-primary breakdown, including Congressional, local, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs races. Until then, please listen, share, rate, subscribe, and hit us up on social media!

MLK Audio Credit: University of Texas

Path to the Primary 4! Back in mid-June,we went up to interview Clayton Hee (on his sustainable, working family farm!) We talk about his decision to seek his old Senate seat instead (which stretches from the east side of Kaneohe around Oahu's famous North Shore), his experience fighting for civil rights, the environment, and fair wages, and how we can find new sources of income by legalizing cannabis and instituting a multistate lottery. Plus, he and @Ryan hash it out over the future of #rail. His restaurant shoutouts are Helena's Hawaiian Food, Asahi Grill, and Cholo's Mexican. Check it out, subscribe, rate, share, and don't forget to V O T E on Saturday!

Path to the Primary Episode 3! We hit the road to visit Tommy Waters, an attorney and former state rep running for City Council District 4, which stretches from Ala Moana to Hawaii Kai (spoiler alert: that's Ryan's district!) We talk about his time at the William S. Richardson School of Law -- the "Harvard of the Pacific" --, his passion for public service and the environment, how he got bloody knuckles on the campaign trail, and what prompted him to seek a rematch against the incumbent (he only lost by 41 votes -- this is gonna be another close one!) And if you're near Kaimuki or Kahala mall, you'll dig his restaurant shoutouts: Assagio’s, 12th Avenue Grill, Big City Diner (#NoDinerFiner), and Pearl’s Korean BBQ

PS: He gave out his cell number on-air, Mike Jones style -- give him a call!

Path to the Primary Episode 2! We sat down in the basement with Ikaika Hussey, an activist, teacher, publisher, and social entrepreneur challenging for Honolulu City Council District 6. We talk with Ikaika about how his Hawaiian and Catholic upbringing shaped his progressive worldview, the importance of environmental stewardship for future generations, and the big issues facing our city -- and our society. Oh, and his restaurant recs are as classic Hawaii as it gets: Zippy's and Liliha Bakery!

Path to the Primary Episode 1! We sit down with Tyler Dos Santos-Tam, who is running for the huge and diverse City Council District 6, which stretches from Aiea to Makiki. We sat down with Tyler waaaaaaaaaaaay back on June 4 -- sorry it took so long, we've been really busy! Hashtag MillennialProblems.

Tyler is from the district, went to Punahou and Yale, and is now the President of the Hawaii Construction Alliance. He's also a member of Pacific Business News' prestigious 40 under 40(class of 2015). We chat with him about his slogan "Energy, Vision, Aloha" as well as affordable rentals, housing, rail, POTHOLES, making development work for our generation, taking on an incumbent, and the many different neighborhoods of district 6. Stay tuned to hear from one of his opponents tomorrow!

His restaurant recs were:

Moku (pizza + roasted veggie platter)

Pho To Chau on River St (#5 large and salted lemonade)

Herringbone Waikiki

The Modern (bar)

This is another big one y'all... we sat down with Governor David Ige! Starting at 4:25, he tells us about growing up in Pearl City, his "real job" as an electrical engineer, and his unexpected foray into politics -- first representing Aiea and Pearl City, and now at Washington Place. We talk about the big issues facing Hawaii, like housing, cost of living, and the environment, and ask him some of your submitted questions: What happened on THAT day in January? Why did he veto a big recent medical marijuana bill? What does Mrs. Ige think of his mustache? We also discuss the Democratic primary and he makes his case for re-election. PS: his restaurant recs are Kabuki restaurant, Gyotaku, Bravo, Anna Millers, Shiro's, Alan Wong's, and Orchid's.

But first! Ryan shares an op-ed we received from Anethum Global's Sara Elizabeth Dill (@sedlaw15) in support of Episode 25 guest Sherry Campagna. Plus. Big Island GOP candidate Bryan Feste is building a campaign based on Hawaii kine... white nationalism?

Our outro is Izik - Love Is a Losing Game (HI Sessions Live). Go check um now go check um now go check um now go, and please rate, subscribe, tag, like, share!

Special Episode! We meet with Will Caron and Nate Hix, co-organizers of "People to the Polls" to talk about their efforts to get out the vote for the midterm primaries. Nate and Will are throwing a free event at Ala Moana Beach Park, starting at 10:30, that features free food and drinks and culminates in a march to the Hawaii State Capitol to generate interest and support for voting. Listen to these two hilarious guys banter with your favorite haoles about news, culture, a Bikileak featuring a certain Vice President, and get their favorite restaurant recs. Apologies for the intro quality, Ryan recorded it with a field mic because he's away from the islands. Regardless, be sure to listen, like, tag, share and go to People to the Polls this weekend!