The Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Podcast Presented By SilverShark Media

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Alexa Caskey, owner of Moku Roots.  In this podcast Alexa talks about her culinary influences growing up, when she made the decision to adopt a vegan diet, misconceptions people commonly have about vegan food, going from an engineering background to opening her first restaurant, the biggest challenge leading up to opening Moku Roots Lahaina in 2018, learning to be more efficient as a business during the pandemic, why a zero waste approach for a restaurant is important, the new chapter of Moku Roots up in Kula that includes farm events like dinners and brunches, the type of menu people can expect at a Moku Roots event, the creativity of vegan menus with ingredients sourced directly from the farm, the importance of agritourism, and how people can learn more and/or visit Moku Roots.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Isaac Bancaco, VP of Operations for Koholā Brewery.  In this podcast Isaac talks about his first culinary inspirations, his favorite dish to make with his grandmother, his career path in the culinary industry, what he learned from mentors like Ming Tsai and Roy Yamaguchi, evolving his career beyond the role of an executive chef, how the restaurant industry prepares people for any career, how he splits time within different parts of the business, how he approached the menu design, the value of working with successful business leaders, challenges the restaurant industry has been going through both nationally and locally, the importance of treating employees well, what to expect at Koholā on February 9th for the Super Bowl, and some of his favorite things he’d recommend for Saquan Barkley or any guest to Koholā to order off the food menu.   

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Max Novena, Executive Director of the Sentry PGA golf tournament.  In this podcast Max talks about his first introduction to golf, what inspired him to pursue a career in sports, his experience working with major sports leagues like the NBA & NHL, details for the upcoming Sentry PGA Tournament held at the Plantation course in Kapalua from January 2nd-5th, why community engagement and impact is a top priority for the Sentry, a few examples of ways the Sentry has supported local organizations on Maui, some names to watch in this years tournament, how people can volunteer during the event, the different ticket options including Kama'aina rates, and where to find out more online about the event week. 

Diane Woodburn talks to Taylor Ponte, Executive Chef of Aurum Maui (opening in 2025).  In this podcast Taylor talks about his culinary path, key lessons he learned from mentors along the way, opening the new restaurant Aurum Maui at the Shops at Wailea in the first half of 2025, his approach to creating a menu, why he first decided to get into the culinary industry, how he met his wife who also is his business partner, his advice for couples looking to start a restaurant together (or any business), his advice to younger chefs hoping to work their way up, and how people can follow Taylor on social media to learn more about both his catering and Aurum Maui in 2025.  

Diane Woodburn speaks to Ryan Urig, Executive Chef at the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort.  In this podcast Ryan talks about how he started his career on Maui, his time working at the Ritz-Carlton Maui at Kapalua, approaching his 10 year anniversary of working at the Grand Wailea Resort, the inspiration behind Olivine which is one of the properties signature restaurants, the types of dishes guests can expect at Olivine, working together with other chefs and community leaders after the 2023 fires to provide meals to those in need, how his community work over the years has been one of his career highlights, additional culinary options that guests can experience on property at the resort, his advice for younger chefs getting into the hospitality industry, and some of his favorite things on the Olivine menu to try if you're coming in for the first time.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Dustin Paradis of the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute.  In this podcast Dustin talks about what the MOCMI does, his career path that led him to this role, the work they do to protect and grow local corals, the sea turtle stranding response & rescue program that helps turtles in need across the island, the importance of community engagement to make these programs more impactful, and how people can get involved to either volunteer or make a donation. 

**The hotline Dustin mentions for the sea turtle response and rescue program is (808) 286-2549**  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Chef Alvin Savella and GM Rob Farrell of Coco Deck Lahaina.  In this podcast Alvin & Rob talk about their first jobs in a restaurant and how their career paths eventually intersected, why they decided to partner together on a new restaurant, the phases that led to opening Coco Deck in September of 2024, Alvin's approach to creating the food menu & Rob's approach to creating the bar menu, the importance of sourcing locally when possible, 3 things each of them would recommend to first time guests, why the happy hour has become so popular, the football Sunday menu, the upcoming supper club that will be featured each Wednesday, lessons learned from the pandemic that are similar to the current economic recovery, advice to anyone looking to go into a business partnership with a friend or family member, and how people can learn more about Coco Deck Lahaina.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Naomi Cooper, Interim Executive Director of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association.  In this podcast Naomi talks about her career path that led to her current position, the main goal of the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association, the importance of connecting local businesses in an island economy, how the approach of the MHLA has changed through the pandemic and fire recovery, how the MHLA offers scholarship and educational opportunities in local schools, the success of the annual Charity Walk and how that money raised is distributed back into the Maui community, details on the upcoming Rice for the Holidays & Na Kupuna Appreciation events, and how to learn more about the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association online. 

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.