The Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Podcast Presented By SilverShark Media

Diane Woodburn speaks to Gunars Valkirs, CEO of Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate.  In this podcast Gunars talks about his previous career in medical diagnostics, moving to Maui with the original plan to retire, making the decision to begin growing cacao, the challenge with the climate of Lahaina to grow cacao, opening a factory to make chocolate, navigating the business through the pandemic and the 2023 fires, what people can experience on chocolate tours and tastings, health benefits of cacao, developing a sugar free chocolate, & how people can book tours or purchase chocolate. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Daryl Fujiwara, Executive Director of the 34th annual Celebration Of The Arts taking place September 18th and 19th.  In this podcast episode Daryl talks about his background that led to heavy involvement helping to plan cultural events throughout the year, the history of the Celebration Of The Arts at The Ritz-Carlton Maui Kapalua, his approach to event planning as he works on different events throughout the year, the theme of this years Celebration Of The Arts weekend, the impact that Clifford Nae'ole has had on Daryl, the significance of E Ala E opening the event weekend in the early morning of September 18th, the types of artisans that will be on site for the weekend, a brief run down of different sessions and experiences people can take part in, panels and insight from the 50th anniversary of the Hōkūleʻa voyage in 1976 that left from Honolua Bay, the Richard Hoʻopiʻi Leo Kiʻekiʻe Falsetto Contest, Daryl's favorite thing about the Celebration Of The Arts, & additional events that are part of Festivals of Aloha taking place in September & October throughout Maui County.  

To learn more about the 2026 Celebration Of The Arts including an event schedule you can visit: celebrationofthearts.org

Diane Woodburn speaks to Chris Kulis, Chef & Co-owner of Spoon & Key Market in Wailea.  In this podcast Chris talks about his time at Capishe in Wailea, his background in the culinary industry on Maui for the past 20 years, his career path in the industry prior to Maui, how the kitchen work environment has evolved though the different generations, the inspiration to open Spoon & Key Market and the approach to the menu, incorporating a large wine list into the dining experience, overcoming the tourism downturns over the past 6 years, how he and his partner will be opening a new restaurant in 2027 nearby to Spoon & Key, how his travels have influenced his cooking style, the story behind the Spoon & Key name, and his advice to younger chefs who aspire to have their own restaurant at some point. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Alexis Pagoulatos, the new CEO of Maui Humane Society.   In this podcast Alexis talks about how she first started in the nonprofit industry, some things she has found in common within animal welfare at the various locations she has worked, what motivated her to make a career change from public relations into working with nonprofits, aspects of Maui Humane Society that she would like to build on, the importance of keeping animals in existing homes and the programs that help provide support to do so, the importance of volunteers at Maui Humane Society, the opportunities visitors and residence have to volunteer for a few hours or for longer periods of time, her goals going forward, and how to learn more about Maui Humane Society programs, animals, and opportunities. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Charissa Cardwell, Neighbor Islands Regional Manager of Honolulu Coffee Company and a board member of the Maui Coffee Association. In this podcast Charissa talks about her background when she first worked as a barista, the path that led her to Maui, working with Honolulu Coffee Company which started in Honolulu but has locations island wide (including one on Maui), what the Maui Coffee Association does, how coffee is both a popular product for tourism in Hawaii but also important to the ag sector as a crop, lessons about the industry she has learned since starting as a barista, the challenges the industry has gone through over the past few years, details about the upcoming Hawaii Coffee Conference that will be held in Maui July 29th - August 1st, the barista throwdown event on July 30th, details on the 19th annual Seed to Cup event on August 1st at Maui Tropical Plantation, and how people can learn more information about the upcoming events as well as the Maui Coffee Association & Honolulu Coffee Company. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Joey Macadangdang, chef & owner of Joey’s Kitchen, Balai Pata, and the newly opened Dang Dang Noodle in Napili.  In this podcast Joey talks about his early culinary influences, the inspiration to open Joey’s Kitchen in 2015, the inspiration to open Balai Pata in Kahului in 2023, how the idea for Dang Dang Noodle originated, spending time in New York City & Japan observing ramen experts, the time and precision required to make ramen, the approach to menu design for Dang Dang Noodle, overseeing three restaurants simultaneously, how it wasn’t originally his plan to open Dang Dang Noodle but rather add items to the Joey’s Kitchen menu, the importance of using local products including items from backyard farms, business lessons learned over the years, the advice he’d give his younger self, what he’d recommend for a first time visitor to Dang Dang Noodle, and the hours of operation for Joey’s Kitchen, Balai Pata, & Dang Dang Noodle.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Rob Mason, chef/owner of RJ Gourmet Maui.  In this podcast Rob talks about how his mom was one of his first culinary influences, the path that unexpectedly took him from Philadelphia to Maui, what it was like establishing himself as a chef on Maui after moving here, the inspiration to branch out on his own and start a private chef business, his biggest challenge early on starting a new business, what it's like balancing time on the business tasks vs his role as a chef, the biggest difference for him as a private chef vs working at a resort or restaurant, the importance of sourcing locally, examples of the type of food he prepares based on what is fresh at the time, his favorite part of the job, spending time as a mentor for years with the American Heart Association Kids Cook With Heart program, his advice for anyone looking to start their own business, a quick chat about Philly sports teams, & how people can learn more about RJ Gourmet Maui. 

Diane Woodburn speaks to Stephen Earnhart of Ocean Heart Healing.   In this podcast Stephen talks about the path that led him from working on movie sets to leading sound therapy sessions, how sound therapy helped him overcome challenges with addiction, the deep history behind sound healing, a short example from one of his sessions, Diane talking about her recent personal experience with Stephen in a sound healing session, what people can expect if they choose to book a sound healing session, the process in which Stephen selects his bowls and gongs, and how to learn more about sound healing with Stephen and book a future session. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Riley Coon, Co-owner & boat captain at Trilogy Excursions.  In this podcast Riley talks about growing up on Maui in the family business, the decision to not branch out into a different career path, the responsibility he and the new generation of company owners have to keep the business going 53 years after it began, how he views the company differently as a co-owner vs before, how the company continues to evolve, what it's been like dealing with unexpected events like the pandemic & fires, the decision to rebuild and bring back Trilogy VI, the current status of Lahaina Harbor and what the future may look like, his advice to anyone looking to start a business or continue a business with family members, the importance of sustainability and conservation for Trilogy, a few rapid fire questions including which of his siblings/cousins makes the best cinnamon rolls, and the short term & long term goals of Trilogy Excursions moving forward. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Jason Matsui, lead baker at Stillwell’s Bakery & Café in Wailuku.  In this podcast Jason talks about growing up on Maui, how he made the decision to get into baking while in college, the path that led him to joining Stillwell’s in 1994, lesson's he learned early on from founder Roy Stillwell, what a typical day is like for him with unconventional work hours, the precision required for baking, having to learn patience, the impact of the UH Maui College culinary program across the island, navigating trends through the industry, his favorite part of baking, trying different types of baked goods while traveling, the types of baked goods people can find at Stillwell’s, types of options available for lunch or dinner, his recommendations for a first time visitor to try, advice for students trying to figure out their career path, advice for aspiring bakers who want to grow their career, and how people can come into Stillwell’s Bakery & Café 7 days a week.