The Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Podcast Presented By SilverShark Media

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Joey Macadangdang, chef/owner of the new Balai Pata restaurant in Kahului along with Joey's Kitchen in Napili & Whaler's Village.  In this episode Joey talks about the inspiration for opening Balai Pata in Kahului, the flavor profiles of Filipino cuisine, the decision to make this location a brand new restaurant concept instead vs making it a new Joey's Kitchen location, how he constructs a menu for a restaurant, how travel provides inspiration to his dishes, the balance of excitement and nerves when opening a new restaurant, how he immediately provided relief to the community at Joey's Kitchen in Napili following the fires in August, the challenges the restaurant industry continues to face in 2024, his advice to anyone looking to open a restaurant, why he will only add to the menu at Joey's Kitchen and not remove anything, his recommended top 3 dishes to order at Balai Pata and Joey's Kitchen for anyone visiting each restaurant for the first time, and how people can find more information about both restaurants.  

This week Jason Evans speaks with Zach Laidlaw of Hua Momona Farms.  In this episode Zach talks about his first introduction into the culinary world, making the decision to pursue a career in the industry, his path from Chicago to Hua Momona Farms in Kapalua, the history and approach of Hua Momona Farms, how the farms makes their own soil, the advantage of growing microgreens, the process of getting their product into restaurants across the island, the importance of communication in agriculture, how the farm mobilized to provide relief after the Lahaina fires, lessons learned from the 2020 pandemic that helped make the approach to relief more efficient in 2023, how people can help the ongoing community work that Hua Momona Farms is doing, the benefits and potential of having a mobile commercial kitchen, Zach's appearance on the latest season of Next Level Chef on FOX, and how people can learn more about what Hua Momona Farms is up to and where to follow both the farm and Zach on social media.

We continue our Maui podcast series with the intention of respectfully providing insight into local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders on Maui through what is a very difficult and challenging time.  Our thoughts continue to be with our neighbors, friends, community, and colleagues across Maui.  

This week Diane Woodburn speaks with Kyle Kawakami of Maui Fresh Streatery.  In this episode Kyle talks about what went into his initial response last August to help get food out to community members, how the community support efforts have evolved since August, resuming the Kokua Meals Initiative originally started during Covid that helps get food to community members in need, lessons learned from 2020 that helped make support efforts more efficient in 2023, the challenges restaurants are facing in 2024, details about how to help the ongoing Kokua Meals Initiative, and why it's critical to show respect and compassion to restaurant workers and the entire Maui community.  
To donate to the Kokua Meals Initiative that Kyle talks about on the podcast you can send money on Venmo to @Kyle-Kawakami-1

This episode begins the 5th year of our Maui podcast series with the intention of respectfully providing insight into local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders on Maui through what is a very difficult and challenging time.  Our thoughts continue to be with our neighbors, friends, community, and colleagues across Maui. 

We resume our Maui podcast series with the intention of respectfully providing insight into local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders on Maui through what is a very difficult and challenging time.  Our thoughts continue to be with our neighbors, friends, community, and colleagues across Maui.  

This week Diane Woodburn speaks with Myra Galinato, Vice President & General Manager at Blue Hawaiian Activities.  In this episode Myra talks about her background in the hospitality industry, how Blue Hawaiian Helicopters were able to provide immediate support in the aftermath of the August fires including supply runs to West Maui when the roads were closed, her message to people who are considering a trip to Maui, and her advice to anyone looking to begin a career in the tourism industry. 

We resume our Maui podcast series with the intention of respectfully providing insight into local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders on Maui through what is a very difficult and challenging time. Our thoughts continue to be with our neighbors, friends, community, and colleagues across Maui. 

This week Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with LiAnne Driessen of Trilogy Excursions.  In this podcast LiAnne talks about 2023 marking the 50 year anniversary of Trilogy Excursions, her advice for those involved in a family business, the post-fire community support provided by Trilogy,  how guests who cancelled their trips to Maui decided to donate money towards the employees and Maui community, how Trilogy is providing free trips to displaced Maui community members to get them out on the water for a few hours, from a business perspective the similarities and differences of September 2023 vs the early stages of the covid pandemic in 2020, what the future will hold for Trilogy moving forward, and a message to visitors who are debating on when and if to come to Maui.  

We resume our Maui podcast series with the intention of respectfully providing insight into local businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders on Maui through what is a very difficult and challenging time.  Our thoughts continue to be with our neighbors, friends, community, and colleagues across Maui.    

This week Diane Woodburn speaks with Stephanie Vojdani & Isa Shipley of Kula Lodge.  In this podcast Stephanie & Isa talk about moving from the former 5 Palms Kihei up to the Kula Lodge, the importance behind keeping the charm of this upcountry staple, how they moved to provide immediate support in the aftermath of the August fires, and what the future sense of normalcy will start to look like from a business perspective.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Marc McDowell, the Executive Chef & Owner of SixtyTwo MarcKet.  In this episode Marc talks about his introduction into the culinary industry, the path that took him from the Culinary Institute of America in New York to Maui, lessons he learned at different resorts & restaurants he worked at on Maui over the years, what gave him the confidence to branch out and open his own restaurant, what the process was like going from a new restaurant concept to opening the doors, the challenges he faced both pre and post pandemic, his approach to a revolving seasonal menu at SixtyTwo MarcKet, the importance of knowing your farmers, some of his favorite items on the menu, and how to learn more about SixtyTwo MarcKet in Wailuku including hours of operation.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Graeme Swain, owner and founder of Gather In Maui.  In this episode Graeme talks about the origins of the Gather restaurant concept, his first introduction into the restaurant industry, what brought him from Jackson Hole to Maui, opening a hydroponics farm in his hometown, taking over the restaurant from what used to be Gannon's, what the transition was like changing the location from Gannon's to Gather In Maui, the approach to the food and bar menu, navigating the challenges of the restaurant industry, and his goals for Gather In Maui in the future.  

Diane Woodburn speaks to Paula Hegele, President and co-owner of MauiWine.  In this podcast Paula talks about the history of MauiWine, her involvement as a mentor with the University of Hawai'i Maui College, the business challenges she's had to work through over the past few years, how the Tasting Room experience has evolved since 2020, what makes the location of MauiWine in Ulupalakua so special, working through production and supply chain challenges, her near term and long term outlook for MauiWine, a recap of the products that are available, and her advice to young women looking to establish a career in the agriculture or wine industries. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Nicholas Winfrey, President & Chief Professional Officer of the Maui United Way.  In this podcast Nicholas talks about what the past year has been like for the Maui United Way, the ups and downs of the non-profit sector since the beginning of the pandemic, lessens learned and applied since 2020, the overall mission of the Maui United Way, what it was like to win the 2022 Mayor's Small Business Award for Outstanding Nonprofit Business, the goals for Maui United Way for the next year, the upcoming Keiki Talapia Fishing Tournament on August 26th (and a way you MIGHT be able to get tickets if you haven't already...), plans for a 2024 golf fundraising event in Wailea, advice for anyone considering a job with a non-profit, and how to get involved with Maui United Way.