Advertise on podcast: The Long Game with Mark Carpenter

Darren Ho has never been afraid to push the limits. A pioneer of Hawaiʻi skateboarding in the 1970s, Ho landed a professional contract with Town & Country while still a teenager. As a trailblazer who helped revolutionize the sport, he competed around the world and experienced an entire professional career before turning 21. His contributions earned him induction into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame and the Hawaiʻi Sports Hall of Fame. In this episode, Ho reflects on skateboarding's early days, the highs and lows of finding success at a young age, and the sport's remarkable evolution from rebellious pastime to Olympic competition.

All-American. National Champion. College Football Hall of Famer. NFL veteran. Rainbow Warriors defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman has spent decades around the game, finding success at every level. After a decorated collegiate career with the USC Trojans, Thurman was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and remarkably never missed a game during his entire NFL career. As a coach, he's worked with some of the sport's all-time greats, including Troy Polamalu, Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Darrelle Revis, and Stephon Gilmore. Now in his third season at UH, Thurman shares stories from his playing days, what separates Hall of Famers from everyone else, and how he's adapted his approach to coaching today's generation of athletes.

Kelly Hee is the Director of Mental Health Care Services for University of Hawaiʻi Athletics. Hee joined UH in 2020, right in the thick of the COVID pandemic, and as a former NCAA Division I athlete herself, she understands firsthand the demands of college sports. Today, she serves as a critical resource for hundreds of student-athletes and coaches across UH's athletic programs. In this episode, Hee talks about her journey to Mānoa, the growing external pressures facing today's college athlete, and why the mental side of sports can often be more challenging than anything that happens on the field of play.

Chris Brown serves as the Rainbow Warriors’ associate head coach and linebackers coach.The Kahaluʻu native and proud Damien alum is remembered as one of the most intimidating and physical defensive standouts in UH history—a reputation he now brings to the players he coaches. Before returning to Mānoa, Brown spent years coaching at national prep powerhouse Bishop Gorman, where he helped establish a recruiting pipeline from Nevada to Hawaiʻi.In this episode, Brown reflects on his playing days at UH, breaks down his strength and conditioning philosophy, and explains what he looks for in the ideal Rainbow Warrior recruit.

Kanoa Leahey is the definitive voice of University of Hawaiʻi athletics, carrying on a family broadcasting legacy established by his grandfather, Chuck, and father, Jim, who each spent decades telling the stories of Hawaiʻi sports. A versatile professional, Leahey has built a reputation for his ability to call nearly any sport, connect effortlessly with his broadcast partners, and let the biggest moments speak for themselves. In this episode, he talks about growing up in the business, the years-long process of finding his own voice, and the pride and responsibility that come with broadcasting UH sports.

David Stant is entering his first full season as head football coach of the Kahuku Red Raiders. A North Shore native and former Red Raiders standout, Stant earned his way onto the University of Hawaiʻi football team as a walk-on before launching a coaching career that has spanned decades in Hawaiʻi and overseas. In this episode, Stant reflects on his journey, shares what it takes to build a championship program, and opens up about the immense pressure that comes with leading one of Hawaii's most storied programs.

Isaac Sopoaga has one of the most storybook career arcs in professional sports. The American Samoa native spent his childhood playing rugby against grown men and wasn't introduced to American football until his junior year in high school. The bruising defensive lineman joined the Rainbow Warriors after two seasons in junior college where he became one of the country's top recruits, fielding offers from powerhouse programs like Nebraska, Miami, and USC. He played 11 NFL seasons, mostly with the San Francisco 49ers, and earned a reputation as one of the strongest players in the sport. In this episode, he talks about falling in love with Hawaii, playing in a Super Bowl, and a record-setting showing at the NFL Combine.

Kolten Wong is one of Hawaiʻi's most accomplished Major League Baseball players. The Hilo native and Kamehameha Hawaiʻi alumnus recently announced his retirement after an 11-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and Los Angeles Dodgers. A former All-American at the University of Hawaiʻi, Wong became the first position player in program history selected in the first round of the MLB Draft. He went on to establish himself as one of baseball's premier defensive infielders, earning two Gold Glove Awards while competing on the game's biggest stages. In this episode, Wong reflects on retirement, his journey from Hilo to the major leagues, and the lessons he learned over more than a decade in professional baseball.

Rich Miano has been a fixture in Hawaii sports for decades. After moving to Hawaii as a teenager in the late 1970s, he became a standout athlete at Kaiser High School before walking on at the University of Hawaii. Following an impressive career in Manoa, Miano was selected by the New York Jets in the 1985 NFL Draft and enjoyed an 11-year pro career. After his playing days, he returned to UH as an assistant coach under June Jones and helped guide the program to some of its most successful seasons. Today, he remains deeply committed to developing Hawaii's next generation of athletes through his speed and quickness camps and his work with the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.In this episode, Miano reflects on his difficult transition to life in Hawaii, his journey from walk-on to NFL veteran, and the lessons that continue to shape his approach to coaching, mentorship, and leadership.

Hawaii News Now is now the home of University of Hawaii athletics and to celebrate this agreement, we sat down with UH athletics director Matt Elliott. Just one year into his tenure, he's already made a tremendous impact on the department-- boosting fundraising, strengthening the university's relationship with the community, and laying a foundation for long-term success. Elliott joined UH after extensive experience with the Hawaii Community Foundation and 13 years with UCLA Athletics. In this episode, we talk about his career journey, the changing landscape of collegiate sports, and what makes UH fans unlike any other.

'You're not just a St. Louis head coach'Tupu Alualu is a state championship winning head coach and entering his third season leading the St. Louis Crusaders. It's a program he's been around for most of his life and one that he is beyond proud to represent as a former star player, longtime assistant, and now the man in charge of one of Hawaii's most storied teams. His journey to Kalaepohaku is fascinating and in this episode, he shares his emotional story of moving to Hawaii from Samoa as a young boy and how football changed his life.

Chad Owens is among the most electrifying players in University of Hawaii football history. His journey to success serves as an inspiration. The Roosevelt alum joined the Rainbow Warriors as a walk-on and went on to enjoy a record-setting All-American collegiate career. The playmaking receiver and returner was recently inducted into the UH Circle of Honor and is a member of the Canadian Football League Hall of Hame, Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, and Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.

'Winners make it happen. Losers let it happen.' Ron Nomura has dedicated his career to guiding Hawaii's next generation of baseball stars. After graduating from McKinley High in the 1970s, he went on to enjoy a standout career at the University of Hawaii before spending 15 seasons working alongside the legendary Les Murakami. Together with his sons, he established the Nomura Academy, an organization built to develop the state's prep baseball talent and help provide pathways to collegiate and pro opportunities.

Chris Blake is one of the most successful head coaches in Hawaii high school volleyball history. Through a decades-long career, he's led Kamehameha Kapalama to 13 state championship victories and helped guide countless student-athletes to NCAA Division 1 programs. He currently serves as the Director of Pacific Innovations at KS and is an apprentice navigator with the Polynesian Voyaging Society. In this episode, he talks about his coaching journey, his passion for teaching, and the lessons from sailing around the world with Hokulea.

Laura Beeman spent 14 seasons as the Rainbow Wahine head basketball coach. The four-time Big West Coach of the Year is one of the longest-tenured and most successful coaches in program history, leading the team to three NCAA tournament appearances. In this episode, she talks about her decorated coaching career, the work it takes to build a program, and her love for the state of Hawaii. This episode was recorded before she announced her retirement on March 30th.