The Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Podcast Presented By SilverShark Media

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with the founder of Maui DJ Services Scott Doran.  In this podcast Scott talks about moving from Ohio to Hawaii to pursue a job in the resort hospitality industry, leaving a corporate job after 6 years to start his own business, how he found a niche with Maui DJ Services, some of his early challenges and successes while growing the company, when he first started to recognize the impact of the pandemic on business earlier in the year, what it’s been like over the past month with weddings as Hawaii has reopened to travelers with a negative pretest, how wedding industry partners have been supportive of each other during a challenging time, & his business outlook on 2021.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Tin Roof Chef/Owner Sheldon Simeon.  In this podcast Sheldon talks about his early culinary influences growing up in Hilo, how an internship in Florida led him to Maui, what it was like opening Star Noodle in 2010, how he ended up on Season 10 of Bravo’s Top Chef, the difference in cooking during a TV production vs a normal restaurant kitchen, what goes into developing a restaurant concept, how he and his wife opened Tin Roof in 2016, the importance of a restaurant having a relationship with the community, how he has dealt with the challenges of 2020, and the release of his new cookbook that will be out in March of 2021. 

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Hana Maui Resort GM Jon Benson.  In this podcast Jon talks about his journey with Hyatt that has lasted 34 years (and counting), working at the Hyatt Regency in Ka’anapali 20 years ago, what it was like to move back to Maui for his current job, how the Hana Maui Resort has been the largest employer in Hana, the challenge the community faces with limited health resources, the reopening on the property this Friday November 20th, their approach to the restaurant and cultural components of the property, protocols that have been put in place to keep the staff and community safe, the advantage of being a property with large amounts of open air spaces, how their mask policy is non negotiable, and how 2020 has been a reset on how we can approach tourism in the future.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Thomas Kafsack of Surfing Goat Diary.  In this podcast Thomas talks about what inspired him (along with his wife) to open the farm in 1998, the challenges they faced in growing the business, what makes their goat cheese unique, how they’ve handled the challenge of running a business in 2020, how the community has supported them along the way, and their hopes for the future of the farm. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Campbell Farrell of the non-profit organization Love The Sea.  In this podcast Campbell talks about the goals of Love The Sea, the planning involved in their Hard To Reach Beach Cleanups, the challenges of working on inaccessible coastlines, how recent Love The Sea team member Brit Daniels hiked 170 miles around the island of Maui to raise awareness for our plastic pollution problem, how 2020 has affected the organization from an operations perspective, how people can support Love The Sea, and their goal to remove a hundred thousand pounds of marine debris in 2021 (and a million pounds in coordination with another organization).

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Hana Ranch manager Duane Lammers.  In this podcast Duane talks about the history of the ranch, what brought him  from South Dakota to Hana, the importance of have product diversity in agriculture, why Hana Ranch partnered with UH Maui College for an ulu (breadfruit) program, and his goal to keep the ranch thriving long into the future. 

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Nikki Boskoff, GM of Star Noodle.  In this podcast Nikki talks about the inspiration behind opening Star Noodle ten years ago, bringing Chef Abby Ferrer onto the team,  the importance of community events like the annual Empty Bowl fundraiser, how Star Noodle is reopening November 7th in the location previously occupied by Aloha Mixed Plate, an update on Aloha Mixed Plate / Leoda’s / Old Lahaina Luau, how Star Noodle will actually increase their capacity at their new location even under 50% dining rules, the increased sanitation processes they have implemented, and their hopes for the near future with Star Noodle. 

Diane Woodburn of Maui No Ka Oi Magazine speaks with Tetsuji Yamazaki, GM of the Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa.  In this podcast Tets talks about the steps the property has taken to reopen on November 1st, how the rest of Ka’anapali will be reopening over the next month, the safety protocols that will be in place at the Sheraton, how a negative pre-test is required to stay on property and move around, how properties across Ka’anapali used the time they were closed to do renovations, the importance of recognizing culture and history for the Sheraton, ways the property tries to lessen environmental impacts from tourism, and his advice to travelers who are planning a trip to Maui. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Lia Krieg, a regular performer with Maui On Stage.  In this podcast Lia how she got into acting, her favorite roles in the past with Maui On Stage, how community theater productions driven by volunteers, the history of Iao Theater, how the pandemic impacted the theater in 2020, what it has been like with no theater outlet to perform since March, the one role she’d like to play one day, and how people can learn more about a special fundraiser being held by Maui On Stage this Saturday October 31st. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Greg Ames of TS Restaurants.  In this podcast Greg talks about how TS restaurants began, how Kimo’s was the first restaurant opened in 1977, their heavy involvement in the community, how the group made decisions to add locations in Hawaii and California, the challenges they faced in opening new restaurants over the years, how 2020 has impacted their 13 restaurants, the decision making process on how and when to reopen each location,  how Hula Grill will be the next to reopen on 10/23, the advantage each location has by being primarily open air concepts, and the importance of supporting of local agriculture.