Brandon and Johnny are two vital cogs in the machine that is Napua.  They share invaluable insight in to what makes the official restaurant of the podcast the tour de force of flavor and ambiance that it is.  They discuss the value of creating and fostering a healthy work environment, empowering and motivating your team members, and went off the deep end on a few random topics...per usual.   If you don't already, please tune in to their "Tasting Tuesday's" show as they enthusiastically and hilariously discuss different libations that they carry at the restaurant.   This one was a blast with my favorite restaurateur and Somalian, enjoy. (if you get the joke, you get the joke).

Jimmy is the Managing Director of Hawaii Island Recovery.  After battling his own monster, he found his true calling facilitating substance abuse education, prevention, treatment, and recovery.  Originally from Rwanda, Jimmy dives in to how he strives to provide more opportunities for people on the Big Island to get the help and support they need in their time of struggle.  It also doesn't hurt that he's one of the most genuinely nice human beings on planet Earth.

HFD Roundtable #2!  Kevin and Nate are both Hilo boys, graduating from Class 41.  They dive in to what their motivations were for joining the department, a bunch of hilarious stories from recruit class and live action calls, and the bond and camaraderie that's formed as a member of the HFD.  They eventually stop talking over each other long enough to have a great conversation filled with heart, sincerity, and laughs.  This one was a lot of fun with two of my best friends. "FORTY ONE!" 

Family.  Alex is the oldest of four brothers who are all involved in running their family business, Matsuyama Market and Food Mart.  We dive in to his role in the business, and how his affinity for diving and fishing is incorporated to provide fresh caught fish at their stores.  He also hits on how vital it is to maintain cohesion, love, and support with his brothers and how important family businesses are in the community.  Let’s go. 

What page turner!  Tessa is an author who's just published "Out of the Shadows,"
the first in "Velieri Uprising" trilogy of books.  NO SPOILERS!  We dive in to how she became interested in authoring her own stories, her motivations and inspirations behind her stories and characters, and the publishing process.  Shes also another self-proclaimed cinephile so we have a lot of fun with that.  Get cozy and enjoy.

Fire up the STOKER MACHINE!  Darieus is a world-traveled surfer-dude turned film-maker.  Combining both of his passions, he's been able to carve out an awesome career for himself creating films of all lengths and genres.  We dive in to his birth and upbringing aboard a 42-foot sailboat, his life as a quintessential surfer boy in Hawaii, and his affinity for telling stories and creating art.  He opens up about a few of the projects hes currently working on including his recent foray into the medium of hand-drawn animation and how he looks to incorporate that to create and tell surf stories catered to the youth of Hawaii.  Be on the lookout soon for 'The Stoker Machine," his latest project featuring Chad Campbell.  He also does a pretty spot-on Joe Pesci impersonation.

Mic check.  Keoni is a singer-songwriter from the Big Island.  If you've dined at a resort restaurant in the last five years, you're sure to have heard the silky smooth vocal stylings of our boy.  We dive in to how he was drawn to music, how it shaped his life, and how he recognizes how fortunate he is to be able to perform for audiences big and small on a daily basis.  We also discuss his down time during the pandemic and how he used that to focus on writing and producing new music.  He currently has a couple songs on the radio so keep your ears tuned for those.  Check him out on Spotify, iTunes and YouTube for all his awesome music and videos.   

Shucks.  Napua is one of the people I think of when it comes to the sport of volleyball.  After taking the helm as head coach of the  Waiakea Boys Volleyball team before covid, he's since taken on a more intimate role hosting private coaching lessons with HI Performance Volleyball Gym.  With a highly decorated scholastic career under his belt and having played the game for the better part of two decades, he brings invaluable knowledge, experience, and skill to whatever ball of clay his hands have the opportunity to mold.  We dive in to what drew him to the sport, its popularity and growth in Hawaii, and the importance of fostering and guiding the uber-talented young athletes of Hawaii.  SIDE OUT!!!!

Where's my tape-measure??? Ellie is one half of the duo behind Paradise Tiny Homes, based out of Puna on the Big Island.  Along with her brother Dan, they've been able to combine their strengths to build beautiful, one of a kind tiny homes.  She shares her story of what brought her back to the Big Island after living in Montana, and how her brother was able to convince her that, if done correctly, they could create something special.  I can't say enough how cool it was to record this episode in one of their finished units.  Take my word for it, it was more luxurious than you might expect, and absolutely beautiful down to the last detail. This one was a lot of fun, hope you enjoy it.  

Fish on!  Christina is the one woman show and prodigal daughter of Sundot Marine, or as its most affectionally known, FISH FLAGS.  We dive in to how she came about taking over the business, which was started in the SIXTIES, how she's put her own contemporary spin on it and some of her plans for the future.  We also talk about her sense of community and how here in Hawaii, more than anywhere, a positive standing in it is vital to running a successful business.  Guide the line and keep it tight, let's fill up the coolers and fly some fish flags, baby!