Advertise on podcast: Aloha Alive: The Dawn O'Brien Podcast

Something is shifting in Hawaii and you can feel it: young people are walking back into church, not because they want flash, but because they’re desperate for truth that holds up under pressure. Pastor David “Waxer” Tipton from One Love Ministries joins us for a raw, funny, Scripture grounded conversation about why confusion in the culture can actually ignite a hunger for what’s real and why authenticity matters more than religious branding.  We also get personal about leadership and integrity, the damage caused by high profile church failures, and the quieter miracle of a pastor who simply stays faithful. From there, we go straight into the heart of spiritual growth: Jesus’ call to “abide in Me.” We open John 15 and talk about love motivated obedience, prayer that becomes a running conversation all day, and why chasing behavior changes without intimacy leaves you tired and empty. If you’ve been stuck asking “how far is too far,” we offer a better question: what protects closeness with Christ and honors God?  Then we tackle end times prophecy and the “live ready” posture. Using Romans 8, Philippians 3, and other key passages, we talk about “eagerly waiting,” the imminent return of Jesus, and why it’s not just about the signs, it’s about the lines you choose to stand in. We close by defining “‘aloha’” through the cross as love that gives, forgives, and puts others first. If this encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review. What’s one change you’d make today if Jesus returned tonight? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

Hawaii can be breathtaking on the outside while feeling unlivable on the inside, and that tension is what drives this raw conversation with gubernatorial candidate Gary Cordero. We talk honestly about the moment so many local families reach in private: counting pennies, weighing relocation costs, and wondering if their keiki will ever be able to buy a home here. If you’ve felt that mix of love for Hawaii and fear about the future, you’ll recognize yourself in this dialogue. We connect the cost of living crisis to what people can actually see and touch: storm response that looks unprepared, airport systems that break down for days, and basic public services that don’t match a $20.5 billion state budget. Gary argues the core problem isn’t a lack of resources, it’s leadership, planning, and accountability inside state departments. We unpack the “Contract With Hawaii,” the idea of an office of transparency, and why he believes policy changes only stick when principles and execution are measurable. Then we get concrete on solutions and stakes: kamaaina-focused affordable housing with fee simple ownership, property tax relief for kupuna, pushing for Jones Act reform to cut shipping costs, and restoring practical education like trades and financial literacy while strengthening Hawaiian culture through language. We also talk voter turnout, how to reach nonvoters through your own contact list, and why this election could decide whether people can stay in Hawaii at all. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s on the fence, and leave a review with the one change you want Hawaii leaders to make first. IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

One washed-out road can turn an “evacuation plan” into a traffic jam with nowhere to go, and Waianae is living proof. We sit down with Daniel Anthony, a West Side farmer running for lieutenant governor of Hawaii, to talk about what resilience actually looks like when you live in a coastal community with a single route in and out, known flood zones, and real tsunami risk. We dig into why emergency planning has to be local, practical, and built around the people who will need help first, not just a document that looks good after the fact. From hurricane season forecasts to the uncomfortable truth that we often learn only during real disasters, we make the case for testing our plans before the next crisis. Daniel floats a bold idea: a two-week shutdown as a statewide resiliency drill, the kind of stress test that exposes weak links. We also connect disaster readiness to the Hawaii supply chain, asking what happens if the ports cannot unload containers, cranes go down, or “backup” equipment is not actually ready. Then we shift into governance, campaign finance, and trust. We talk about how big donations can create expectations, why Hawaii needs a shake-up, and why leadership roles should go to vetted experts with real experience in housing, agriculture, and essential services. We close with aloha values under pressure: what spills out when life bumps you, and why a simple hug can be a powerful, practical expression of care. Subscribe for more grounded Hawaii politics and community conversations, share this with someone who cares about preparedness, and leave a review. What part of your own disaster plan would fail first? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

Honolulu City Council controls a massive amount of tax money with only nine seats, so District 4 is not a small race. We sit down with Tara Malia Gregory for a fast, candid talk story that starts with her surprising past dancing professionally in Hollywood while preparing for law school, then turns sharply into what she is fighting for back home in East Oahu. We dig into election integrity in Hawaii through the term limits dispute that reached the courts and ultimately the Hawaii Supreme Court. Tara Malia explains why she believes the Honolulu City Charter is clear on two terms, how she built a chain of documentation, and what it was like to argue pro se with only minutes on the clock. Along the way, we talk about voter trust, transparency, and why keeping a clean paper trail can protect regular people when the system gets slippery. From there, we zoom out to bigger policy pressure points: emergency proclamations and concentrated power under Chapter 127A, concerns about land grabs, and a very real neighborhood fight at Cocoa Crater Stables. Tara Malia lays out her platform priorities in plain language: audit everything, keep kamaaina here by fixing broken permitting and enforcement, and rebuild food sovereignty with lessons from the ahupuaa system. We also get practical about preparedness, water management, and why we still believe showing up in person to vote matters. If this conversation challenges you, share it with a friend, subscribe for more local Hawaii politics that stays grounded in real life, and leave a review so more voters can find it. IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

Hawaii doesn’t feel like “paradise” when you can’t afford to live here and you’re watching friends and family move away. We’re talking with Hunter Harris, a 23-year-old Native Hawaiian who went from student government to the State Capitol, about what Gen Z is facing right now: crushing Hawaii cost of living, housing prices that make independence feel impossible, and the quiet mental health fallout from the 2020 to 2021 shutdown years. Hunter shares what it was like representing roughly 180,000 students as a governor-appointed student member on the Hawaii State Board of Education during the chaos of COVID policy shifts. We get into the realities behind Hawaii public education, why teachers deserve more support, and how big systems can lose accountability, including questions about Department of Education spending and what happens when funding rolls over while campuses still need work. Then we move from problems to action. Hunter challenges low voter turnout, calls our generation to vote with principles rather than party labels, and gives practical ways to research candidates using real-world signals, not just slogans. We also break down a political story that shocked a lot of people: a tied race, a decision made “by lot,” and a Hawaii Supreme Court-ordered runoff that lands on the general election ballot for District 43. We close with a grounded definition of aloha, shaped by family, community, and service. If you care about Hawaii politics, Hawaii housing affordability, youth mental health, and the future of local families, listen through and share this with one person who’s on the fence. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what “aloha values” means to you. IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

A tied election is rare. A tied election decided by drawing lots in a lauhala box is even rarer. But the real twist comes after that: District 43’s result gets overturned in court, and now voters in Makakilo and Kapolei are heading into a court-ordered revote that could reshape how Hawaii handles razor-thin races going forward. We sit down with Sheila Medeiros, candidate for Hawaii House District 43, to unpack what happened, why two voters receiving the wrong ballots triggered a zero-margin crisis, and why the remedy matters just as much as the mistake. We get specific about the difference between a primary election and a general election ballot, the risk of crossover voting deciding a party nominee, and what it means when election officials say a rule can’t truly be enforced. If you care about election integrity, transparent governance, and how legal precedents can ripple across every political party in Hawaii, this conversation lays it out in plain language. Then we switch gears to who Sheila is beyond the headlines: a retired Army lieutenant colonel with deep local ties, a focus on service over titles, and a platform centered on cost of living, crime, judicial reform, government accountability, and practical resilience through energy security, water security, and food security. We close with a grounded take on aloha as agape love, and what it looks like to hold that line when politics gets ugly. Subscribe for more Hawaii-focused conversations, share this with a neighbor in West Oahu, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show. What do you think is the fairest remedy when an election is tied and ballots are wrong? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

A small cross on a restaurant wall shouldn’t feel like a turning point, but sometimes the smallest moment lands with the most weight. We sit down with Tricia Ma’ae Liupaono, CEO and founder of My Sister’s Keeper Ministries and Reckless Love, and talk about what it means to be seen by God when life feels like a full-on spiritual storm. The conversation is candid, funny, and direct, and it keeps coming back to one core truth: we don’t get through spiritual warfare with vibes, we get through it with a sharpened sword and steady obedience. Tricia shares what happened during Hawaii’s Kona storm when most people were trying to get out, and her team drove in with food, water, and whatever they could carry. We unpack real disaster relief and community outreach lessons: how needs spread fast when power and water are compromised, how mutual aid can move quicker than official response, and how provision can multiply through everyday people who decide to show up. If you care about faith in action, nonprofit leadership, and serving vulnerable neighbors, this story is a masterclass in courage under pressure. We also go deep on discernment in the last days: how deception can look like truth, why Bible reading and prayer can’t be outsourced, and how “good opportunities” can still be compromise. Tricia explains why forming a 501(c)(3) board and building accountability isn’t just paperwork, it’s protection for the mission. If you’re tired, tempted to quit, or wondering who you can really trust in ministry, this conversation will help you reset your footing. Subscribe for more honest faith conversations, share this with someone who needs strength today, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. What part hit you the hardest? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

A child trafficked for a cheeseburger?! Once you hear it, you can’t unhear it & you start seeing why prevention has to be specific, honest & urgent. We’re joined by Tammy Bitanga, Director of Community Engagement at Ho’ola Na Pua, a Hawaii nonprofit working to prevent child sex trafficking and care for youth who’ve been exploited. Tammy breaks down the real legal definition: when anything of value is exchanged for a commercial sex act with anyone under 18, that child is a victim of sex trafficking. No loopholes, no “they chose it,” no confusion about consent. Tammy also shares her personal story with courage and clarity: early childhood sexual abuse, foster care, grooming, and being “turned out” as a teen, followed by the long road of sobriety, faith, and rebuilding a life. We talk about why trauma changes the brain, how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) shape survival behaviors, and what actually helps kids stay safer: one trusted adult, meaningful activities, and a community that refuses to shame them into silence. You’ll also hear what Ho’ola Na Pua does across Oahu and the neighbor islands, including prevention education in schools and the healing environment of Pearl Haven. If you’re a parent, educator, coach, auntie, uncle, or simply someone who wants to protect kids, this conversation gives you language, insight, and next steps. Subscribe for more, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find these stories and this work. IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

A simple family favor turns into a wild twist: Champ Kaneshiro gets ordained so he can officiate a wedding in Hawaii, and the paperwork starts showing up with a new title, “Pastor.” That’s where the real conversation begins. We talk about what it means to treat marriage like a covenant, why taking responsibility seriously matters, and how a “wedding performer” can still carry a message of faith without pretending to be perfect. If you’ve ever searched for how to become a wedding officiant in Hawaii or wondered what a meaningful ceremony looks like, you’ll pick up practical ideas you can actually use. Then the tone drops deeper. We share the story of “Suicide Sunday,” childhood pain, and the moment faith stepped in when life felt finished. We wrestle with grief, the Christian view of suicide, and why quick judgments can crush families who are already carrying loss. The through line is grace and the uncomfortable truth that none of us knows what happens in the final seconds of a person’s life, but we can choose compassion now. We also keep it local and real: comedy as a way to connect, Polynesian culture, what to do with haters, and relationship advice that cuts straight to the point. Champ breaks down why affection matters, how a simple “please forgive me” can reset a home, and why imagination is not childish but powerful. If you like Hawaii podcasts with heart, humor, and faith that doesn’t hide from hard topics, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review with the takeaway that hit you most. IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

He can make a TSA line laugh in ten seconds, then turn around and say something that hits your heart. We’re joined by longtime Hawaii MC, TV host, and fitness trainer Champ Kaneshiro, and we talk story about the real source of his energy: gratitude, faith, and an intentional choice to bring aloha into every room he walks into. Along the way, Champ shares how his dad shaped his outlook, why joy is not fake positivity, and what it means to stay grounded when the world feels heavy.  We go deep on relationships and the difference one sentence can make. “Sorry” is easy. “Will you forgive me?” restores power, respect, and peace. Champ opens up about marriage, temptation in the entertainment world, and the pain of divorce, including the kind of thoughts people rarely admit out loud. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, discouraged, or stuck, this conversation offers hope without pretending life is simple.  Then we get practical. Champ breaks down why daily movement matters as you age, why resistance training builds muscle that burns body fat, and why cutting sugar can be a game-changer for heart health and long-term energy. We also talk about wake-up calls that force you to take your health seriously, plus a definition of aloha that goes beyond being “nice” and becomes kindness on purpose.  If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. What does aloha look like in your life right now? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

He was a football standout. Then he lost his way, lost his identity, and ended up homeless, addicted, and ready to give up on life. Kuhio Thomas now leads Adult and Teen Challenge as a director, and he joins us with his wife Rachel for a raw, hope-forward conversation about what actually breaks addiction for good. We talk about why addiction is often the visible “fruit,” while the real work is getting to the root: trauma, rejection, shame, and generational patterns that repeat until someone decides to become a cycle breaker. Kuhio shares the turning point that brought him to surrender, how accountability and service keep him grounded, and why identity and purpose are not motivational slogans but recovery essentials. Rachel shares her own path through insecurity, unhealthy coping, and a painful first marriage, and how faith reshaped her future. We also get practical. We explain what Adult and Teen Challenge offers as a Christian discipleship program with a one-year structure, counseling support, a curriculum that addresses anger and life-controlling issues, and vocational skills that help people rebuild stability. If you’re a family member trying to love someone without enabling them, we talk about boundaries, prayer, and keeping hope within reach. If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find real recovery stories. IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

A tux, a princess dress, a red carpet, and a ballroom full of dads trying not to cry. That’s the surface story of the Daddy-Daughter Prom, but the real story is what happens when a father chooses to show up on purpose and speaks identity into his daughter’s life with no sarcasm, no conditions, and no half effort. We talk with Russell Kimura, one of the founders of Fathers With Daughters, about why intentional fatherhood changes the standard girls carry into every future relationship. We get specific about the “identity moment” at prom where dads tell their daughters what is true about them, then give a simple keepsake that turns those words into a lasting reminder. We also unpack why this matters so much in a world where attention is cheap, promises are fast, and too many kids grow up without a steady voice at home. If you’re a busy parent, we keep it practical. Russell shares the “press play” approach to connection, plus ideas for dads who feel awkward, disconnected, or unsure where to start: drive time chats, shared playlists, small wins, and learning to step into your daughter’s world. We also get into the bigger vision: reaching 100,000 fathers, expanding beyond Hawaii, building community through technology, and funding scholarship tickets so more families can be part of the experience. If this conversation hits home, subscribe, share it with a parent who needs hope, and leave a review so more families can find it. What’s one small way you can show up for your daughter this week? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

Hawaii’s spiritual history is bigger than the version most of us inherited, and it gets personal fast. We sit down with Kahu David Blevins of Imiola Church in Waimea to talk about the historic Hawaiian awakening of the 1830s, the legacy of Lorenzo Lyons, and why the gospel’s ripple can still be felt in Hawaii today. Along the way, we tackle hard themes that many people avoid: local anger toward “haole,” the missionary narrative, land, and what changes when you start listening to primary sources and Hawaiian language documentation instead of repeating slogans. Then the conversation turns into testimony. David shares how a life shaped by protest culture, heavy drinking, and years of suicidal darkness shifted when he walked into a small church and heard the gospel clearly. We talk about discipleship that actually sticks, renewing the mind, and why Christians must be able to explain not just what we believe, but why we believe it, especially when our kids face pressure in school and culture. We also go deep on Sabbath rest and the biblical feast calendar as practices that train faith and trust in God’s provision, not legalism. We close with a mind bending take on “aloha,” an “aloha hero” list, and a simple object lesson about distraction that lands like a punch. If you care about Hawaii revival history, Imiola Church, Lorenzo Lyons, or building a grounded Christian faith, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review. What belief do you most need to write your “why” for today? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

A sidewalk so narrow a wheelchair can’t pass. Speeding that tops the complaint list across District 43. And a community that keeps hearing “we’ll look into it” with no timeline in sight. That’s the real-world backdrop for our conversation with Sheila Madaris, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, neighborhood board member, church leader, and weekly food bank volunteer who’s running for Hawaii State House District 43 representing Kapolei and Makakilo as a Republican candidate. We get specific about quality of life issues that hit families every single day, not someday: traffic safety, crime, infrastructure, housing affordability, and how houselessness shows up on your street. Sheila shares a story that still stings, meeting a veteran who was pushed off an unusable sidewalk and nearly struck in the road because an ADA hazard has been ignored since the 1970s. For us, that moment puts a bright spotlight on one word: accountability. Then we go after the “information gap” that keeps neighbors divided and exhausted. Sheila explains her Hawaiian quilt approach to community engagement, treating each subdivision as a patch and building shared understanding through forums, newsletters, print and digital communication, and more town halls. We also talk values, including how her Christian faith shapes her positions on pro-life issues, parental rights, and youth medical decisions, and we end with a grounded definition of aloha: seeing people, choosing kindness, and refusing quick judgment. If you care about Hawaii local politics, District 43, Kapolei, Makakilo, and what real representation looks like, press play. Subscribe, share this conversation with a neighbor, and leave a review so more local voices can find it. IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

If Hawaii had to live off what’s already on the islands for two weeks, would your neighborhood be ready, or would it panic? I’m talking with Daniel Anthony, a subsistence farmer, father of seven, and longtime community advocate who’s now running for lieutenant governor, and he doesn’t treat food as a “nice to have.” He calls it the real economy, the real security, and the fastest way to lower fear because when you can feed your family, you can stand up for what’s right.  We dig into how Hawaii became so dependent on imported food, including the historic shift around 1959 that helped weaken local agriculture and staples like poi. From there we connect the dots to today’s cost-of-living pressure, the local exodus, and the slow fading of everyday aloha, even down to the shaka in traffic. We also talk about identity and health through land and water: loʻi kalo, water rights, and why “healthy land, healthy people” is more than a slogan.  Then we get specific about politics and accountability, including what happens when useful bills die because of partisanship. Daniel breaks down the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) crisis, why Hawaii’s coconut genetics matter, and the serious problem of chemically treated coconut trees that aren’t clearly labeled. We also touch DHHL land, housing security, and what community healing can look like when neighbors are allowed to put down roots and grow food.  If you care about Hawaii sustainability, local agriculture, and the aloha spirit as something we live and protect, listen through to the end. Subscribe, share this with one person who loves Hawaii, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast