The Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Podcast Presented By SilverShark Media

Diane Woodburn speaks to Barry Rivers, Executive Director of the Maui Film Festival.  In this podcast Barry talks about his original pitches to begin the film festival over two decades ago, how the vision for the festival evolved over the years, the 2023 festival schedule including the in person and virtual cinema options, the vast number of short films this year including incorporating films that were produced in Hawaii, a night by night run down of what to expect between June 28th-July 2nd, and how people can learn more about the festival and purchase tickets. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Daryl Fujiwara, the event coordinator for the King Kamehameha Day Parade in Lahaina on June 17th.  In this podcast Daryl talks about the significance of King Kamehameha Day, what goes into planning for this event, how the parade has evolved over the past decade, the schedule of events on June 17th in Lahaina for the parade, why this commemorative tradition is so important to continue, and how to learn more about the event.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Charlene Ka'uhane, event organizer of the Maui AgFest & 4H Livestock Fair.  In this podcast Charlene talks about the history of Maui AgFest, the importance of connecting the community to agriculture, what goes into planning an event like Maui AgFest, adding a Grand Dessert tasting event, goals to expand to a multi-day event in the future, how the pandemic reinforced the importance of local agriculture, how the agriculture industry formed new partnerships island wide due to the pandemic, a rundown of events for this years AgFest event, and how people can learn more about the event and purchase tickets in advance.  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Laura Night, CEO of Vida by Sip Me Maui.  In this podcast Laura talks about the inspiration to open a coffee shop in 2014,  how she was denied funding 16 times before opening her business, the impact the Maui Economic Opportunity program provided to open Sip Me Maui, the balance of excitement vs nerves when opening a business, the importance of community engagement, how the pandemic impacted the business, innovations from the pandemic that she thinks will stick around, challenges from the pandemic that have not be solved yet within the service industry, her role as chair with the non profit Common Ground Collective who seeks to help with food security on Maui, 

Diane Woodburn speaks with Roger Stettler, Executive Chef & Partner of Taverna.  In this podcast Roger talks about growing up in Switzerland, the early culinary influences of his mother and grandmother, the path that led him from Switzerland to the Caribbean thru Asia and then eventually Maui, winning the Aipono Chef of the Year Award in 2012 while at the Four Seasons Maui at Wailea, the importance of being involved in the local community, his decision to  help open Taverna, what it was like navigating through the pandemic, the ongoing challenge of staffing for the hospitality industry, the upcoming event Taverna will host in June as part of the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, some of his favorite things on the Taverna menu, & his advice for those looking to move up in the restaurant industry. 

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speak to Yvonne McClean, Community Relations Director of Habitat For Humanity on Maui.   In this podcast Yvonne talks about what the past few years have been like navigating through the pandemic,  how the organization has dealt with the overall labor shortage on Maui, the success of the Brush With Kindness program that helps underserved homeowners help to update and maintain their houses, the ongoing efforts to help construction with Hawaiian Homes in Kula, what it was like to recently hand over the keys to a local family who just had their home completed, details about the upcoming 25th anniversary Silver Hammer Gala that will be held at the Andaz Maui at Wailea on June 3rd, goals for the remainder of 2023 and into the future, details about ReStore where people can donate building materials and household items to be put to use, and how people can learn more about volunteering or donating to Habitat for Humanity.  

Diane Woodburn speaks to Master Sommelier Michael Jordan about the upcoming Kapalua Wine & Food Festival in June.  In this podcast Michael talks about his introduction to the restaurant industry at an early age, how Frank Sinatra became his Godfather, moving to Oahu at a young age, his love of music in Hawaii, what it's been like to see the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival evolve over the years, a preview of the panels & tastings at this years event from June 8th-11th, how the Kapalua Food & Wine Festival helps to raise money for the University of Hawaii-Maui College Culinary Arts Program, how the event has become less intimidating for those who are not regular wine consumers, and how to learn more about the calendar of events along with ticket options (single event vs the festival pass).

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to McKenna Shea, Assistant Executive Chef at Pacific'o on the Beach and recent winner on a March 2023 episode of Food Network's TV series "Chopped."  In this podcast McKenna talks about her interest in the culinary industry at an early age, her path to Maui, joining the Pacific'o team in 2019, navigating through the challenges of the pandemic in 2020, how the industry has been changed since 2020, some aspects of industry changes that she thinks will stick around, challenges the industry is still facing, what it's like undergoing changes with the culinary team & ownership group at Pacific'o, how she ended up on an episode of Food Network's "Chopped" television series that aired in March of 2023, what it's like competing on a television cooking competition series, her goals for the future, her advice for younger women looking to work their way up in the culinary industry, and how to find out more about Pacific'o on the Beach (including some of her favorite dishes).  

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Tapani Vuori, General Manager of the Maui Ocean Center.  In this podcast Tapani talks about what the past few years have been like navigating through the pandemic, why the Maui Ocean Center has made it a priority to be ingrained in the local community, how 2023 will mark their 25th anniversary, the challenge Maui faces with tourism, how the Maui Ocean Center has supported Bill 21 in order to help lessen the impact on native sea turtles and birds, the inspiration for their Kaho'olawe exhibit, how the Humpbacks of Hawaii exhibit evolved, working with local elementary schools, and how to learn more about Maui Ocean Center (including a special $10 entry for local residents on Earth Day).  

Diane Woodburn speaks to Clifford Nae'ole, Cultural Director at The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.  In this podcast Clifford talks about how he first starting working with The Ritz-Carlton, some of the early history of the property location and the importance of the grounds nearby, the inspiration to start the Celebration of the Arts 31 years ago, how the event has grown over the years, the daily schedule for this year's event, why it's important to keep it free of charge and open to the public, examples of artists and artisans that will be showcasing their work, what to expect at the luau to wrap up the event on Sunday, and how people can learn more about this years Celebration of the Arts including a schedule of events and how to purchase tickets for the luau.