The Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Podcast Presented By SilverShark Media

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Barry Rivers, founder of the Maui Film Festival.  In this podcast Barry talks about why he started the Maui Film Festival a few decades ago, making it a positive & uplifting event, shifting the venue post-pandemic to the MAAC, the virtual component this year for those who cannot attend in-person, a few films of interest in this years schedule, how kids 12 and under can attend for free, a rundown of the featured films each night of the event, how people can learn more about the event online, and the best way to purchase tickets. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Master Sommelier Michael Jordan about the upcoming Kapalua Wine & Food Festival.  In this podcast Michael talks about how he got into the wine industry, the impact Frank Sinatra had on his path, some of the steps you have to go through to become a Master Sommelier, the difference in judging wine vs simply drinking wine, his tips for anyone heading to this weeks Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, details on some of the tasting seminars this week, a brief overview of the different venues for festival events, how the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival supports the UH Maui Culinary Program, some wines that have left good impressions on him over the past few years, why cost doesn't make one wine better than another, some of his favorite wine regions at the moment, and how people can learn more about the event and to purchase tickets.

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Qiana DiBari of Sale Pepe & Pacific’o.  In this podcast Qiana talks about building loyal customers with Sale Pepe since opening in 2014, their Bu'Ono product line available in Safeway and Whole Foods on Maui, the decision to join Louis Coloumbe to reopen Pacific’o on the Beach in Lahaina, her background growing up in Brooklyn, her time managing with A Tribe Called Quest, the recent loss of her mother-in-law who was an inspiration for Sale Pepe, recruiting Maui chef Issac Bancaco to lead Pacific’o, the approach to the new Pacific’o menu, the importance of using locally sourced ingredients, the impact of Louis Coloumbe at Pacific’O over the years, and how people can learn more about both Sale Pepe and Pacific’o for reservations and hours of operation.   

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Kimberly Flook of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation.  In this podcast Kimberly talks about the purpose of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation, the history of the organization, the challenges of adapting older significant buildings, the Lahaina Quest Keiki Programs that are offered, what it was like to receive a Community Enrichment Award from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, how that award will allow the program to grow, and how people can learn more or get involved with the Lahaina Restoration Foundation.  

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks to Clifford Nae'ole, Hawaiian Cultural Advisor at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua about the upcoming Celebration of the Arts.  In this podcast Clifford talks about the upcoming 30th annual Celebration of the Arts festival on April 15th & 16th, how this event allows an opportunity for artists and practitioners to share elements of Hawaiian culture, the addition of a fashion show to the event this year, the importance of the opening E Ala E ceremony, the various artist workshops that guests can visit, the Mauka to Makai theme this year which includes a chance to see Maui's long distance voyaging canoe the Mo'okiha O Pi'ilani, the tree planting event at Pu'u Kukui, the luau & falsetto events on Saturday evening (April 16th), how people can get tickets for the luau, and what it has been like to have an in-person Celebration of the Arts for the first time since 2019.  

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Samira Seibaa, Executive Pastry Chef of Hoaloha Na Ekolu.  In this podcast Samira talks about how her mom influenced her passion for food, moving to the east coast to attend Le Cordon Bleu college of culinary arts, why she shifted over to baking, how the pandemic impacted her professional life, balancing the different approaches of Old Lahaina Luau / Star Noodle / Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop, her influence on the different menus, her goals for the future, and her advice to someone aspiring to have a career in pastry.   

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Chef Perry Bateman of Mama's Fish House.  In this podcast Perry talks about how a landscaping job turned into a career as a chef,  a history of cooking within his family, why he's so committed to using local ingredients, the importance of sustainability, his approach to let the ingredients shine in a dish, receiving  multiple Aipono Awards over the years, what it has been like dealing with the challenges of the past two years of the pandemic, the importance of a great guest experience, his love and appreciation for founders Mama Doris and Floyd Christenson, and his advice to aspiring chefs.   

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with the chef/owner of FOND Jojo Vasquez.  In this podcast Jojo talks about some of the inspiration behind FOND, his detailed approach to cooking, the intimate chef's counter experience that's offered at FOND, what it was like for him to win the 2017 Aipono Awards Chef of the Year, what characteristics he looks for when voting for a Chef of the Year on Maui, his recent recognition as a semifinalist in the upcoming James Beard awards, the influence of Filipino food in restaurants, his goals for the future, and updated days & hours that FOND is open.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Ben Shank, General Manager of the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. In this podcast Ben talks about his path from busser to General Manager within the Four Seasons brand, his inspiration to get into hospitality as a career, what he learned at different properties he worked with across the country, the importance of a property to distinguish itself, his experience navigating through the pandemic as a General Manager, the decision to move back to Maui, the importance of setting long term goals, incorporating in local culture to the guest experience, the new Topgolf Swing Suite on property, their health & wellness partnership with Next|Health, welcoming new team members to the food & beverage programs, and his advice for high school and college students who want to pursue a career in hospitality.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Hawaiian Cultural Event Coordinator Daryl Fujiwara.  In this podcast Daryl talks about his background in planning events on Maui, what to expect in late March for Prince Kūhiō day, the logistics behind these full day events, how different organizations on Maui work together to help each other, dealing with challenges with planning events in 2020 and 2021, what goes into the upcoming King Kamehameha Day event in June, taking pride in the success of these events, the upcoming Festivals of Aloha event later this year, what it was like receiving multiple Hawaii Tourism Authority Community Enrichment Program awards to support his events, and the importance of offering more authentic experiences for visitors who come to Maui.