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Send us Fan Mail A poke tailgate in Kakaako turns into a full-on Honolulu talk story session, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Aaron Sigs ( Hamma Built ) and Thaddeus Park ( Above the Bridge Podcast ) are  launching Just Wala'au with the simplest setup: good company, Foodland poke, red cups, ocean noise in the background, and whatever real life throws at us. If you’ve been craving a Hawaii show that sounds like actual local conversation instead of polished studio talk, this is the lane we’re trying to build. We get into the basics fast: what we’re calling the show, why we want to travel town to town across Oahu (and outer islands and even Lv ), and how we’ll post locations so locals can come through. Then the story hits that changes the whole vibe: we watched a nicely dressed girl walk out of Ala Moana with a poke bowl without paying. That spins into a raw conversation about cost of living in Hawaii, conscience, and why “everyone does it” still doesn’t sit right. From there it’s classic hangout whiplash in the best way: gym pet peeves (machine hogs, phone campers, sweat left on pads, and the deodorant debate), quick and dirty fat-loss talk (fasted workouts, keto, intermittent fasting, protein, kimchi and gut health), plus traffic rage, construction cones, and what people mean when they say someone is “acting hole.” We also shout out the crew behind the camera, including drone work and where to find us online. If you’re into local culture, gym life, island humor, and honest conversations about how we’re trying to make aloha cool again, hit play. Subscribe, share this with one friend who loves Hawaii, and leave a review with the most “local” pet peeve you deal with every week.

Send us Fan Mail Paradise sells itself, but building a Hawaii travel YouTube channel that people actually trust is a different job. We sit down with Sean Kaleponi, better known as Hawaiian Traveler, to talk about the behind-the-scenes choices that turned simple hikes into a fast-growing library of Oahu food reviews, Hawaii travel tips, and “things to do and eat” guides that locals and visitors both watch. Sean breaks down what really drove his growth: treating YouTube like a craft, studying other creators like an athlete studies film, and making each video better with stronger storytelling, better angles, and edits that respect the viewer’s time. He explains why he believes “the algorithm” is just another word for “audience,” how monetization started to feel real after a couple breakout videos, and how his wife’s editing (DaVinci Resolve) makes the channel possible as a true team effort. We also dig into the harder stuff creators avoid: what to do when a meal is not good, how to be honest without crushing a mom and pop shop, and how social media and geotagging can overwhelm local places. Sean shares why his most demanding video was a respectful “what not to do in Hawaii” guide, plus how fatherhood reshaped his priorities around time, energy, and the legacy his daughter will one day see. If you care about Hawaii travel, local food, responsible tourism, and creator ethics, hit play, subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review with the one Hawaii spot you think everyone should experience the right way.

Send us Fan Mail A split-second decision can either end your story or restart it. Travis, the man behind Laverne’s Catering and the new meal prep company Meals to Heal, joins me to talk about what it really takes to carry a family legacy while building something new for the community. We get into the food first because that’s where a lot of Hawaii connection lives: squid luau done right, smoke meat, beef stew, and why the best local plates feel like a warm hug from your auntie. From there, Travis breaks down the real business moves that helped Laverne’s grow: stepping in when it wasn’t planned, shifting operations into a commercial kitchen, leaning into food trucks, and using social media marketing without losing authenticity. He shares how faith shapes his leadership, especially during COVID when catering vanished but takeout demand surged, and how trusting the process helped him keep the mission and the numbers moving in the right direction. Then we go deep on Meals to Heal, his healthier, more affordable meal prep built with locally inspired flavors and smart substitutions. What makes it different is the heart behind it: scripture on every label, meant to feed the mind and soul along with the body. Travis also tells the story of his near-fatal motorcycle accident, the voice he heard telling him to “let go,” the surgeries and recovery, and how that second chance turned into a commitment to serve, including his nonprofit vision, Harvesting Hope and Healing. If you’re into Hawaii food culture, faith-based entrepreneurship, recovery, resilience, and practical health habits, this conversation hits all of it. Subscribe to Above the Bridge, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you heard.

Send us Fan Mail Car buying has a way of making even confident people second-guess themselves. That’s why I wanted to sit down with Mackie Young, one of Hawaii’s most trusted Toyota sales pros, to talk about what actually lowers the stress and raises the confidence when you’re spending real money on a Tacoma, 4Runner, RAV4, or any new vehicle. We get into the nuts and bolts of an easy car buying experience: how rapport beats pressure, why transparency matters more than “closing,” and how small details like gratitude, follow-through, and a memorable handoff can turn a one-time buyer into a long-term referral. Mackie also breaks down the reality of selling Toyotas in Hawaii, where the product is known for reliability and resale value, but the real difference-maker is service and reputation in a small community. Then the conversation goes past the dealership. We talk about long sales hours, nonstop calls and DMs, and the trade-offs that can wreck your family life if you let the job run everything. Mackie shares how becoming a dad changed his priorities, how he builds discipline with his two boys through fitness and jiu jitsu, and why “family first” isn’t a slogan if you’re willing to protect your time. If you care about customer service, sales mindset, social media marketing, or being a present parent while still chasing big goals, this one will hit. Subscribe, share it with a friend who’s shopping for a car, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

Send us Fan Mail A crown can be a photo, or it can be a job. When AliA became Miss International Hawaii, she didn’t just step into a big four pageant title, she stepped into a global responsibility rooted in service, culture, and daily discipline. We talk about what the Miss International system actually is, how Hawaii holds both state and national pathways, and what it feels like to win when pageantry was never “your thing” to begin with.   From there, we get into the work: the United Nations partnership behind Miss International, the Sustainable Development Goals, and why education is the first step before advocacy. Alia shares how she focuses on SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and SDG 17 (partnerships), and how her initiative, grows out of disaster relief experiences tied to typhoon recovery in the Pacific and support reaching as far as Venezuela. We also talk about boots-on-the-ground relief in Hawaii after major storms, the reality of limited visibility for island communities, and why leadership means showing up even when it is messy and exhausting.   Then we go personal: the meaning of aloha beyond a catchphrase, how social media can either reward negativity or spread real encouragement, and how taekwondo shaped her identity through respect, self-control, and self-defense. One moment hits especially hard as we explore fear, resilience, and a line worth repeating: self-defense starts with knowing you’re worth defending. If you care about Hawaii culture, women’s leadership, disaster relief, mental health, martial arts mindset, or building a life with purpose, this conversation will stay with you.   Subscribe, share this with someone who needs a little hope, and leave a review if the message of aloha and action resonates with you.

Send us Fan Mail He looks like the most “local unko” guy you’d ever meet, and then he starts talking and you realize the stories are coming fast and unfiltered. I sit down with Unko Shane, a Hawaii TikTok and Instagram creator whose comedy hits because it’s familiar: the kind of people you see at the store, the lingo you grew up hearing, and the situations you swear you’ve lived through. We get into how he found traction during COVID, why the “uncle” persona took off, and what changes when strangers start asking for photos in real life.   From there we go deeper than jokes. We talk about the line between being entertaining and oversharing, what it means to be a gay friend who’s a real wingman for straight guys, and why respect and privacy matter when it comes to DL men. We also get into Hawaii nightlife culture, how social media changed clubs and socializing, and why being present feels harder when everyone’s filming.   And yeah, we also go there on fitness trends: testosterone, peptides, semaglutide, tirzepatide, and the risks that come with chasing results while nobody wants to share real info. The goal isn’t to preach, it’s to be honest about what people are doing and what it can cost.   If you like Hawaii podcasts with real talk, local humor, and zero fake polish, hit subscribe, share this with one friend who needs a laugh, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What part of the conversation hit closest to home for you?

Send us Fan Mail Some conversations hit different because they refuse to pretend. Maci Ono is back, and we go way past gym clips and highlight reels into the messy middle where real change happens: grief, low motivation, depression, identity shifts, and the daily choice to keep showing up anyway. If you’ve ever put on a hoodie, gone full incognito, and tried to talk yourself out of the workout you know you need, you’ll recognize yourself here. We get honest about the pressure of being “the inspirational one” on social media, what it feels like to disappear for months, and the tools that helped Maci climb out: accepting the low without getting stuck, leaning on family and friends, getting back into therapy, and changing the environments that keep you coping in ways that make tomorrow worse. We also talk about how social media can warp your expectations when you’re watching everyone else’s 15% and comparing it to your full 100%. Then we dig into the physical side of setbacks. Macy shares the reality of post-surgery complications after skin removal, how it changed her training, and how body image and body dysmorphia can flare up even after major weight loss. From there we connect it to food, binge eating stigma, and the balance skills that actually help with weight loss maintenance: avoiding extreme restriction, dropping the all-or-nothing mindset, and learning how to reset immediately instead of waiting for Monday. If you want a mindset that lasts, a healthier relationship with food, and a more realistic way to think about discipline and mental health, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs it, and leave us a review so more people can find the show.

Send us Fan Mail A kid can survive almost anything, but they don’t survive it unchanged. Nelson Sua up in Hawaii inside a home marked by violence, fear, and a family legacy that later gets labeled “Brotherhood of Crime.” He’s honest about what that kind of childhood does to your identity, your nervous system, and your sense of what’s normal. Then he walks us through the moment he finally decides the story ends with him, especially after becoming a father and realizing his kids deserve a different future. Things get even heavier when Nelson learns later in life that the man he called dad is not his biological father. That revelation sends him into a dark spiral of numbness, drinking, and chasing anything that will quiet the pain. What changes the direction isn’t a self-help hack or a perfect plan, but a powerful faith experience he describes as immediate peace the moment he steps into church. From there, we talk about forgiveness, daily discipline, and how to share faith without using it to shame people. Today, he puts that transformation into action through Boss Ministry and SHIELD, his anti-bullying program focused on Strength, Honor, Integrity, Empowerment, Leadership, and Discipline. We get into bullying in Hawaii, cyberbullying that follows kids home, and why real prevention has to involve schools, families, and the community, not just assemblies and slogans. If you care about youth mentorship, breaking generational cycles, and building safer schools, this conversation will stay with you. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a review with the biggest takeaway you heard.

Send us Fan Mail Most people judge a DJ by the loudest 30 seconds. We wanted to talk about the other 99 percent of the job: the decisions nobody sees that keep a club alive, a dance floor full, and a night moving in waves instead of burning out early. We’re joined by DJ Javi, one of Hawaii’s most versatile DJs, to break down the real mechanics of nightlife. We talk DJ battles, mentorship, and the Hawaii DJ community ethos of showing up for each other’s gigs. Javi explains why “reading the room” is not a vibe-based cliché, it’s a skill: watching who is dancing, who is stuck at the bar, and how to sequence songs so the crowd builds naturally. We also get into the business side of DJing, why cold asks for peak-time slots fail, and how newer DJs can earn bookings through demos, feedback, and consistent presence. Then we go deep on emo nights in Hawaii: how the concept spread from the mainland, why some sets land and others don’t, how to balance mainstream sing-alongs with deeper cuts, and even how to keep mosh pit energy safe in a club environment. Along the way, we touch on how social media changed nightlife behavior, how different venues demand different strategies, and why undercutting rates hurts the whole scene. If you care about Hawaii nightlife, DJ culture, Serato and Rekordbox workflow, or how a great DJ thinks in real time, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a DJ or promoter friend, and leave a review with the best lesson you’ve learned from a night out.

Send us Fan Mail The moment Wes said he’s putting down the mic, I felt it in my gut because I’ve known him as the voice that can move a room. We sit down and get real about why stepping back from MC duties can be the exact move a growing business needs, especially when you’re trying to protect your name, your family, and the standard your clients pay for. We talk about the path that got him here, from working a regular job while his emceeing slowed down to building From Above Entertainment into one of the most trusted names in Hawaii wedding entertainment. Wes shares how his wife Julie pushed the original vision, how a one-year “let’s try it” turned into ten years, and what actually separates a wedding DJ and MC team when the pressure is high and the timeline is tight. We also dig into growth challenges after COVID, staying current with wedding trends, and finding people who are willing to put in real work instead of chasing instant gratification. Then we get into the gear and the future: LED video walls, LED DJ booths, and how his new leg, From Above Displays, handles commercial and residential LED screen installs from planning and site visits to full setup and support. If you’re into entrepreneurship, event production, leadership, and building a service business with aloha, there’s a lot here to steal for your own life. Subscribe for more conversations like this, share this with a friend who’s building something, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one goal you’re chasing right now that scares you a little?

Send us Fan Mail A club doesn’t earn trust with matching jerseys. It earns trust when coaches, athletes and parents show up with clarity, consistency, and heart. That’s where this conversation with Coach Kea lands as she shares the story behind rebranding to Ho’omau Athletics, a name rooted in perseverance and shaped by a season of real-life pressure. We get into what it looks like to build a youth volleyball culture in Hawaii that feels like family without getting soft on standards. Coach Kea breaks down the difference between a good coach and a great coach, why accountability matters more than empty praise, and how team-first habits are trained through everyday choices at practice. We also talk about the constant tension every competitive program faces: winning versus player development. Sometimes the best lesson costs points, and she explains why that tradeoff can be worth it for long-term growth. If you’re a sports parent, there’s a lot here for you too: open practices, clear parent meetings, how to handle playing time conversations, and why college recruiting often includes evaluating the parents along with the athlete. Coach Kea also shares what changes as Ho’omau heads into its third season, her move into high school coaching, how travel builds chemistry, and how she integrates faith in a way that invites rather than pressures. If you found value here, subscribe, share this with a coach or parent who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s one trait you wish every coach would lead with?

Send us Fan Mail RAIN El DAKHAKHNI is the founder of 76 Sips Bar Company, a Hawaii mobile bartending service focused on fresh juice, local ingredients, and craft cocktail quality for weddings, brand events, and private parties on Oahu. We talk through her route from working and opening bars to betting on herself, plus why she’d rather be called a “cocktail artist” than a mixologist. We also get real about what most people never see: the long nights, the paperwork, and the stress of standing in a liquor license hearing where a few commissioners can decide your livelihood. Rain shares what helped her push through, how she keeps her standards when the market rewards shortcuts, and why honesty about product quality matters more than clever menu buzzwords. Then we nerd out on the fun part: how she designs custom drink menus around an event’s theme, color palette, and glassware, including riffs on classics, acid-adjusted citrus, and ingredients like calamansi picked fresh from the farm. We also dig into the business side of growth, from social media marketing on Instagram and TikTok to delegation, training contractors, and pacing your spending so your passion doesn’t turn into chaos. If you care about entrepreneurship, hospitality, and craft cocktails in Hawaii, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend planning an event, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

Send us Fan Mail Five years and nearly 200 episodes later, I’m still recording Above the Bridge the same way I started: showing up, hitting record, and trying to have real conversations that leave me feeling something. This annual Q and A is me answering the questions you sent in, from what made me nervous early on to the one episode that gave me confidence to do the show in front of people, and the honest truth about what it takes to stay consistent week after week. We get into the behind-the-scenes work most people don’t see when they search “start a podcast” or “grow a podcast” including booking guests, planning ahead, editing, and staying current. I also share why some interviews feel easy while others are tough, what constructive criticism actually helped me improve, and why most podcasts quit before they ever find their rhythm. I also talk about why local podcasts matter right now, especially in Hawaii. Giving local people a voice, keeping island connections strong for listeners who moved away, and sharing the way we talk and the aloha we try to live by is a big part of why I keep doing this. And I’ll tell you straight up what motivates me most: my daughter, and the idea that one day she can look back on these conversations and get to know her dad in a different way. If you’ve ever needed a reason to keep creating, press play, then subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.

Send us Fan Mail A lot of people get a past they can’t outrun, and a lot of people in construction carry more weight than anyone sees. I sit down with Aaron Siga, a Kaneohe legend who used to be known for scrapping, to talk about how he flipped that energy into something that actually builds people up: leadership, teaching, and a steady “aloha” attitude on and off the jobsite. We get into the real story behind his “hammer built” mindset, from the wake up call of prison to the grind of learning framing, metal stud work, and union life the hard way. Aaron breaks down what separates a real worker from a loud one, why the best fighters are usually the most humble, and how jobsite culture can either help apprentices grow or push them toward burnout. If you’ve ever felt stuck, underpaid, or underestimated, his approach to leveling up through responsibility and repetition hits home. Then the conversation goes deeper than construction tips. Aaron opens up about depression, suicidal thoughts, and the moments that forced him to seek therapy and rebuild his thinking. We talk about mental health in construction, the danger of screaming at people who are already struggling, and how purpose, community, and faith can pull someone back from the edge. If this connects with you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find it. What’s one mindset shift that helped you keep going when life got heavy?

Send us Fan Mail A side hustle that takes off because of shower curtains sounds like a joke, until you hear how it actually happened. I’m sitting down with Marnee, the owner of MarnZaza, a fast-growing local Hawaii brand with a loyal community, bold prints, and a real-world retail presence that keeps expanding. She’s also still doing hair and lashes, which makes her story hit even harder if you’re juggling a day job while trying to build something of your own.  We talk through the full path: starting in the salon world, experimenting with products, then getting forced into a COVID pivot that pushes her into social media marketing. One raw Instagram reel turns into huge demand, and suddenly she’s figuring out product sourcing, sampling, outsourcing, and how to keep prices reasonable for local shoppers. She breaks down what pop-up life really requires, how different neighborhoods shop differently, and why her prints aim for “feels like home” instead of tourist shop energy, including collaborations with local artists.  We also get into the parts people don’t post: dealing with negativity online, setting boundaries, and building thick skin without turning cold. Then we shift into brick-and-mortar growth at Harbor Center and Windward Mall, why foot traffic still matters, and what it takes to staff and coach a team when your business is open seven days a week. If you’re searching for real talk on small business in Hawaii, Instagram marketing for retail, pop-up strategy, and women-owned entrepreneurship, this one delivers.  Listen now, then subscribe, share it with a friend who’s building a hustle, and leave a review. What’s one product or idea you’d “ride the wave” on if it started blowing up tomorrow?