The Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Podcast Presented By SilverShark Media

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Anna Kahalekulu, owner & designer of Kūlua, a sustainable clothing store located in Makawao. In this podcast Anna explains the approach of Kūlua, her inspiration for opening the business, how the store keeps manufacturing on Maui, what gave her the confidence as an entrepreneur to take the business from an idea to a storefront, navigating through the pandemic in 2020 shortly after opening a store in Makawao, integrating culture and family in her designs, what it's like to see people wear her products, the importance of supporting Maui businesses, ways Kūlua has given back to the community, her advice for anyone looking to get into the fashion industry, what it was like to do a collaboration with popular fashion brand Faherty, and how people can find out more about Kūlua both online and in person. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Dr. Lisa Labrecque, CEO of the Maui Humane Society.  In this podcast Lisa talks about her path to becoming CEO, some of the differences between private veterinary care and working with an animal shelter, challenges for pet owners in Maui, becoming CEO in June of 2023 and then having to navigate the organization through the August fires, some of the new programs the MHS is offering including the Lahaina Pet Resource Center, how people can get involved with the animal foster program, how residents can qualify for pet related financial support along with additional pet resources, how residents and visitors can volunteer, simplifying the adoption process for visitors who want to adopt a pet to take with them, upcoming fundraising events, & her advice for anyone looking to have a career in this field.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Tina Carranza, Fundraising Director at the Hua Momona Foundation.  In this podcast Tina talks about how the Hua Momona Foundation first started in 2021, how she got involved with the organization, providing food to the Maui community through the pandemic and the 2023 fires, what goes into organizing large scale food distribution, some of the challenges that come with keeping a nonprofit running smoothly, details for the upcoming 1st annual Maui Food & Music Experience that is taking place September 5th-7th, how people can get tickets to the event, how local residents impacted by the fires can gain free access to the concert day, the goals for the foundation for the remainder of the year, how people can get involved to volunteer or support the Hua Momona Foundation, what she’d like visitors to know about coming to Maui a year after the fires, and how people can learn more about the Hua Momona Foundation on social media & their websites.  

** The event websites Tina mentioned for tickets can be found below **

www.mauimusicandfoodexperience.org

https://makai.org/freetickets/

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Scott Fisher, Director of ʻĀina Stewardship at Hawai'i Land Trust.  In this podcast Scott talks about what the Hawai'i Land Trust does, the type of lands they look to acquire and/or manage, challenges that come with protecting land in locations with on-going development, the work they are doing to restore a freshwater fishpond originally built around 1500 or so in Waihe'e, an ongoing project at the Nuʻu Refuge in Kaupō aiming to restore a native forest designed to protect coastal wetlands from tsunami events, how people can volunteer to work with Hawai'i Land Trust, and additional ways to learn more and get involved. 

Diane Woodburn speaks to Nicky Boskoff, Food & Beverage Director of Star Noodle, Aloha Mixed Plate, & Leoda's.  In this podcast Nicky talks about ways the Na Hoaloha 'Ekolu restaurant group provided support to their staff and community, her background growing up on Maui and Kauai, how she first got into the restaurant industry, the original concept for Star Noodle when it first opened in 2010, the dedication of Executive Chef Caesar Perez, the menu approach to Star Noodle, opening in a new location, opening Aloha Mixed Plate nearby, new items that are coming to the Star Noodle menu, the difference in navigating through covid vs the current recovery, and ways visitors can be respectful to employees and community members they come across during their travels.  

Diane Woodburn speaks to Nicky Boskoff, Food & Beverage Director of Star Noodle, Aloha Mixed Plate, & Leoda's.  In this podcast Nicky talks about ways the Na Hoaloha 'Ekolu restaurant group provided support to their staff and community, her background growing up on Maui and Kauai, how she first got into the restaurant industry, the original concept for Star Noodle when it first opened in 2010, the dedication of Executive Chef Caesar Perez, the menu approach to Star Noodle, opening in a new location, opening Aloha Mixed Plate nearby, new items that are coming to the Star Noodle menu, the difference in navigating through covid vs the current recovery, and ways visitors can be respectful to employees and community members they come across during their travels.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to David Gridley of the Maui Coffee Association.  In this podcast David talks about how he first got involved with the coffee industry around 30 years ago, helping to organize coffee growers and roasters on Maui in the early 2000's, challenges the industry faced on Maui when he first opened Maui Oma Coffee Roasting Company, how the Maui Coffee Association helps to support the local Maui coffee industry, the time needed to grow and produce coffee, some differences in Kona coffee and Maui coffee, how new legislation will change how coffee is labeled in the future in Hawaii, why it's important to support the local coffee industry, how the Maui Coffee Association provides educational tools for current and prospective coffee growers, details about the upcoming Seed To Cup event on Sunday August 18th at Maui Tropical Plantation, & what goes into David's perfect cup of coffee.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Singer / Songwriter Anuhea.  In this podcast Anuhea talks about her first introductions to playing musical instruments while growing up on Maui, how her Aunt was an early inspiration, what led to her performing in public for the first time, what it was like to release her first album in 2009, the process of narrowing down how many songs will make an album, winning Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards in 2009 & 2019, how she has grown as an artist since her first album, what advice she would give her younger self, wrapping up her 2024 summer tour highlighted by her newer release “Lotus”, why she became an advocate for mental health, and details on her upcoming performance Friday August 2nd at the Alaloa Lounge in the Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua from 6p-9p (free entry). 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Sean Corpuel, owner of Cool Cat Cafe. In this podcast Sean talks about his first exposure to the restaurant industry helping his dad run a small burger shack, how that eventually became his career path, opening the first Cool Cat Cafe in California, the decision to open a Cool Cat Cafe in Lahaina back in 2003, challenges in getting the original wharf location opened up, his approach to menu design, how the restaurant immersed itself in the Maui community, continuing the family business with his kids, the inspiration to open Captain Jack's at the wharf after the success of Cool Cats, the initial aftermath of the August fires, the decision and process that went into reopening Cool Cat Cafe in Kihei, what to expect from the south side menu, bringing a new Captain Jack's location back to west Maui, & lessons he learned in his teens about the industry that still resonate today. 

Diane Woodburn speaks to Tetsuji (Tets) Yamazaki, GM of the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa.  In this podcast Tets talks about what brought him to Maui 30 years ago, his path from working as a dishwasher to becoming a general manager, how the Sheraton was an integral part of disaster response last August, how the economic recovery from the August fires differs from the recovery during the pandemic, the history of the Sheraton property which was one of the first resorts to open on Maui, the upcoming Kokua For Maui event on July 5th that will showcase Lahaina businesses, his message to visitors who are contemplating a trip to Maui, goals for the remainder of 2024, and his advice to anyone looking to advance their career in the hospitality industry.