The Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Podcast Presented By SilverShark Media

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Charlene Ka'uhane, event organizer of the Maui AgFest and 4H Livestock Fair. In this podcast Charlene talks about why this event is special to her, how it has grown since the first one 15 years ago, the educational sessions that will be available this year focusing on topics like kalo/fish/coffee/cacao, how the event provides guests a chance to learn from industry experts, a preview into the Grand Taste event featuring a number of Maui culinary figures, advice for those who want to attend AgFest on Saturday June 1st, and how people can learn more and buy advance tickets to the special sessions throughout the day.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Mary Anderson, President and Co-owner of Koholā Brewery.  In this podcast Mary gives an update on the Koholā team since the August fires, talks about how she went about the next steps for the business last fall, the partnership with Kona Brewing Company that enabled Koholā to resume production, how her business background in Silicon Valley helped in certain aspects of decision making over the past 8 months, the importance of collaboration, the current production output for Koholā beer, opening a new location Wailea that will feature a restaurant and taproom, partnering with chef Isaac Bancaco to design a menu for the new location, a sneak peek at a few of the items that will be on the menu, lessons from the pandemic that helped navigate the current Maui economic environment, and how people can learn more about the opening of the new restaurant and where to buy Koholā products.  

**Content Note: The official return of Wailuku First Friday that was discussed towards the end of the interview has been delayed from the July date that was mentioned**

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Daryl Fujiwara, event coordinator for a number of events on Maui including the upcoming Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pā‘ū Parade and Ho‘olaule‘a on June 15th.  In this podcast Daryl talks about how he grew up attending and supporting local events across the island, how he began helping to plan and coordinate events, the importance of collaboration in event planning, what went into planning for the 2024 King Kamehameha Day Parade, how the location this year was selected, how this year will be different, what types of applications the parade is looking at for participants, the upcoming Maui Ag Fest on June 1st, the return of Wailuku First Friday's in July, and the Festivals of Aloha later this year.  

Diane Woodburn speaks to Dean Wong, Executive Director of Imua Family Services.  In this podcast Dean talks about how Imua Family Services began, services the organization offers, similarities and differences to the Easter Seals foundation, how Imua Family Services provided support to families on Maui after the August fires including providing resources to children of all ages, the importance of the Imua Gardens, why it's important to offer children outlets that get them away from mobile devices for periods of time, the upcoming Color Festival on Sunday April 28th, and how to learn more and provide support to Imua Family Services. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Lipoa Kahaleuahi and Mikala Minn of the nonprofit organization Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike.  In this podcast Lipoa begins by talking about what Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike aims to do, what her role as Executive Director entails, the importance of students learning trade skills outside of a classroom setting, the history of the Hana Build program and how it directly benefits the local Hana community, and other programs offered by Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike that help students learn cultural practices and culinary skills.  Mikala then joins the podcast to talk about Mahele Farm, how he went from a former student working with Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike to becoming a project leader for the organization decades later, the types of lessons students learn from farming, the products the farm can grow, and how Mahele Farm works together with the community.  Lipoa then talks about the goals moving forward for the organization, the upcoming East Maui Kalo Festival on April 20th, and how people can learn more and support Ma Ka Hana Ka 'Ike.  

Jason Evans speaks to Ryan Schelling who is the Executive Chef at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea.  In this podcast Ryan talks about his first job in the culinary industry, his path with Four Seasons starting as a line cook in 2006, the role of an Executive Chef at a resort property, highlights of the new redesign of Ferraro's, his approach to menu design, how the different restaurants on property compliment each other, some of the ways the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea supported the Maui community last fall including their Love For Lahaina culinary series, his goals for the rest of 2024, and how people can learn more about the new menu at Ferraro's along with the other F&B options on property.   

Jason Evans speaks to Master Sommelier Michael Jordan about the upcoming Kapalua Wine & Food Festival happening June 6th-9th, 2024.  In this podcast Michael talks about how he became a Master Sommelier, how the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival has evolved over the past few decades, how the festival gives back each year to support local foundations and causes, how giving back this year is as important as ever, what to expect with the 2024 festival event schedule, options for full festival passes or single event tickets, the effort that goes into planning an event like this, and how to learn more about the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival online. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Ed Lyman, Regional Large Whale Entanglement Response Coordinator under NOAA's Marine Mammal Health & Stranding Response Program.  In this podcast Ed talks about the work of NOAA Fisheries, his role with the Marine Mammal Health & Stranding Response Program, the recent incident last week with the injured whale calf that was spotted off Ma'alaea, the importance of science communication, how research helped give boat operators a guide for speed out on the water to minimize harmful whale encounters, why individuals shouldn't try to help a whale out on the water and instead call the hotline to report an incident, how this has been a different type of season out on the water, and how people can get involved to support NOAA and the response team. 

Hotline to call if you see a whale (or other marine animal) in distress:  
888-256-9840 (Toll Free)

Link to the course Ed mentions at 18:55

https://pacific-islands-training.whaledisentanglement.org/#/ 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Jeff Scheer, chef/owner of Marlow.  In this podcast Jeff talks about the recent renovations at Marlow, what the first two and a half years have been like for the restaurant, how he and his wife Kaili work so well together as co-owners, his advice for anyone looking to start a business with a significant other or family member, his approach to adding new items to a menu, how he and his team worked to support the Maui community after the fires in August, the challenges the industry continues to face with staffing, getting nominated as a semifinalist in the James Beard Awards, his recommendations for anyone visiting Marlow including during breakfast hours, and how people can learn more about the restaurant on social media.  

Diane Woodburn speaks with Dena Roady, Area Vice President of Hyatt Hotels Hawaii & General Manager of Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort.  In this episode Dena talks about her path with Hyatt that has spanned 13 properties over 28 years, what an Area Vice President does, how Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort is viewed as one of the flagship properties of the Andaz portfolio, what it has been like ascending in the industry as a female, how decisions were made immediately after the August fires for the Hyatt and Andaz properties to provide housing and support to the Maui community, the current balancing act for the hospitality industry as a whole to both continue to provide resources to the Maui community while also working to support tourism revenue, how visitors to Maui can get involved and help the local community, her outlook for 2024 in the industry, how groups like the Maui Hotel & Lodging Association help industry leaders support each other and learn what others may need, and her advice to anyone looking to start a career or work their way up in hospitality.