The Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Podcast Presented By SilverShark Media

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Clifford Nae'ole, the Hawaiian Cultural Advisor for The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua.  In this podcast Clifford talks about a new virtual approach for the 29th annual Celebration of the Arts for 2021, the challenges that have gone into making the annual gathering a virtual experience, what the inspiration was to start Celebration of the Arts as an annual event, why this event is so important to artists in Hawaii, how Clifford became a cultural advisor, what that role entails, his advice to the next generation of cultural advisors in Hawaii, the different themes that the 2021 Celebration of the Arts will cover, and where people can learn more about how to experience this years virtual Celebration of the Arts.

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Cole Hinueber, founder of the food truck Kitoko Maui.  In this podcast Cole talks about what it was like opening a business in July of 2020, the challenge he faced opening early on in a pandemic, how he adapted from the kitchens of 5-star resorts to the space of a food truck, the importance of sourcing local ingredients, what it's been like to jump into the food truck industry, the challenges behind trying to open a restaurant on Maui, how the community has been supportive of Kitoko Maui since they opened, how his culinary path took him to France and then Maui, his advice for aspiring chefs, his favorite dish from Kitoko Maui, and the location + hours of the food truck.  

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Michael Jokovich, GM of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort.  In this podcast Michael talks about working with the state in order to safely reopen in November of 2020, how after being closed for an extended period of time the excitement felt like opening a new resort, the encouraging results of the vaccines that could help the travel industry rebound in 2021, how a revised approach to tourism and avoiding overcrowding was a necessary component of reopening, what it was like to reopen The Feast At Mokapu, how multiple luau operations worked together with the mayor to present plans to open safely, why cultural education is a foundation of The Feast at Mokapu, his expectations for when leisure and group tourism numbers could rebound to pre-pandemic levels, how technology implemented since reopening has helped improve the guest experience,  how the Andaz  continues to support the local Maui community, and his recommendation to travelers who want to plan a trip to Maui. 

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Angela Vento, GM of the Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott Maui.  In this podcast Angela talks arriving in Hawaii in 1989, how she went from pursing a dentist career to a career in the hospitality industry, what is has been like working in a male dominated industry, lessons she learned when her career took her from Hawaii to Boston and then back to Hawaii, her first reactions when the pandemic began to set in last March, why she prioritized staying in touch with Marriott employees during the shutdown, the importance of communication and accurate information during a situation like that, how the pretest rules have helped reopen tourism while keeping Maui safe over the past few months, how technology has enhanced service for guests, the new AC Marriott that will be opening in Wailea in April of 2021, and her advice for women who are looking to excel in the hospitality industry.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Dr. Meagan Jones, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Whale Trust.  In this podcast Meagan talks about what inspired her to pursue a career in marine science, how she helped form the non profit organization Whale Trust to help support humpback whale research, the importance of science communication, the upcoming 15th annual Whale Tales event happening February 13th & 14th, the adaptations the event has had to make this year to go virtual due to the pandemic, how people can register and virtually attend, how the pandemic has created a unique environment for humpbacks in Hawaii and Alaska due to a drastic decrease in boat traffic, why it's important in Hawaii for people on kayaks & SUP boards to keep their distance from humpback whales, why humpbacks come to Hawaii each year, what her year is like balancing field research and data analysis, how she helped bring a marine sciences minor to UH Maui College, one fact about humpback whales that surprised her over her years of research, and how people can support both Whale Tales this weekend and Whale Trust in different ways over the next few weeks.  

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine talks to Denise Cohen, the former head of the UH Maui College Health Center.  In this podcast Denise talks about her vast experience dealing with various pandemics dating back to the HIV crisis of the 1980's, helping UH Maui College set up their pandemic response program over 10 years ago, what the early response to Covid-19 was like, the effectiveness of the current vaccines, how the shortage of vaccine supply has temporarily slowed down distribution on Maui, why there is time between the first and second vaccine shots, how the vaccine works in your body, what anticipated timetables are for different groups to be vaccinated on Maui, and how the program has had to adapt to changes almost daily based on supply and new information. 

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Aaron Placourakis of Tri-Star Restaurant Group (which includes Nick's Fishmarket, Son'z Steakhouse, Manoli's Pizza Company, and Koho's).  In this podcast Aaron talks about his career in the restaurant industry on Maui, his extensive work in the community, influences from his Greek heritage, how he approached the pandemic as a new challenge from a business perspective, why he helped lead the Maui Restaurant Hui to help the industry work together during the pandemic crisis, and why he's optimistic as restaurants move forward in 2021.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Makana Nunes who runs the Holiday Toy Drive for Maui United Way.  In this podcast Makana talks about the challenges for non profit organizations in 2020, the history behind the holiday toy drive with Maui United Way, how this year has created a greater need for toy donations for families, how people can donate to the toy drive, why this is such a passion for her, and the different types of donations they distribute to different age groups. 

**NOTE: This will be our last podcast episode of 2020.  We wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season! **

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Maui-based cybersecurity expert Patrick Wardle.  In this podcast Patrick talks about how he got into a career in tech, what brought him from New England to Maui, how studying at the University of Hawaii kick-started his career in tech, the difference in offensive and defensive hacking, how the pandemic has affected his job, how he hopes to help grow tech opportunities on Maui, and the advice he would give students who want to pursue a career in tech industries.  

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with the Executive Director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association Rod Antone.  In this podcast Rod talks about the role of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, the importance of a diversified economy on Maui that doesn’t rely solely on tourism, how 2020 has been a reset to approach managed tourism in the future, a review of the current protocols in place in order for visitors to come to Maui, how hotels are creating safe environments for guests during their visit, the importance of returning residents to follow the same strict guidelines as visitors, how the tourism industry has been working with the Mayor to help keep the community safe as the island has opened up to tourism over the past few months, the importance of community partners that provide necessary testing on site when needed, and the expectations for visitor numbers over the December holiday season.