Keep it Aloha

Micah Keolanui is a singer, songwriter, producer and entrepreneur from the island of O’ahu. He is known for his smooth vocals and signature reggae sound, blending R&B, soul, and island influences into music that’s both timeless and relatable. He’s been in the music scene for over two decades, originally as a founding member and lead singer of The Next Generation before stepping into his solo c...

Kekuhi and Kaumakaiwa Keali'ikanaka'ole are cultural practitioners from the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. They are descendants of one of Hawaiʻi’s most influential cultural legacies — the legacy of Edith Kanakaʻole. They are kumu hula, chanters, composers, artists, and educators…carrying forward generations of ʻike Hawaiʻi through hula, oli, and ceremony. Their work has been showcased on the Merr...

Chardonnay Pa'o is a Native-Hawaiian award-winning singer, songwriter from the west side of O’ahu. This Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-Winner is also a farmer and is redefining what it means to live rooted while chasing your dreams. She first caught people’s attention wearing a coconut hat and putting an island twist on Adele’s “Easy On Me,” with a version produced by Kapena that had people saying her...

Jason Paige is an entertainer from all over the US, but currently based in L.A. He is a singer, songwriter, and performer that is best known as the voice behind one of the most iconic theme songs of all time – the original Pokémon theme song, “Gotta Catch ’Em All.” His voice became the soundtrack to a generation, inspiring millions of kids around the world to be the very best, like no one ever was...

Kimo Kepano is a Kanaka Maoli High Seer from New York. He is the founder of The Light Seer Method. For more than three decades, he has helped people understand intuition, energy awareness, and personal healing through a blend of Hawaiian wisdom and modern science. Kimo has worked with over 10,000 clients and has been featured on The Travel Channel, Apple TV’s Chief of War, and GAIA’s Beyond Belief...

Pa'a Sibbett is a Kanaka Maoli writer, filmmaker, and storyteller from Seattle Washington. He is the co-creator of Chief of War, a series centered around the unification of the Hawaiian Islands and the stories of our kūpuna. Working alongside Jason Momoa and a Native Hawaiian-led team, this husband and father has helped bring one of the first large-scale productions rooted in Hawaiian history,...

Brook and Drena Parker are Native Hawaiian entrepreneurs from the island of O’ahu. Brook is a multidisciplinary artist, historian, and genealogist , whose work brings Hawaiian history and ancestral stories to life through powerful visual art. His paintings often portray aliʻi and figures from Hawaiian history with deep research and cultural respect, honoring the moʻolelo and legacy of our kūpuna....

Lewa is a musician from the island of Moloka'i. He is best known for his time as a member of the band High Watah. During the band’s rise in Hawaiʻi’s music scene, their blend of island reggae and local sound helped build a loyal following across the islands and beyond. After years performing with the group, Lewa eventually made the difficult decision to step away from the band and begin a new...

Kaliko Beamer-Trapp is a Hawaiian language educator and cultural practitioner originally from England. He is also the hānai son of the late Aunty Nona Beamer. For decades, he has dedicated his life to the teaching and revitalization of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, from Hawaiian immersion schools to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, where he continues his work today. He has served on the Hawaiian Language Lexi...

Josh Green is a medical doctor from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the Governor of the State of Hawaiʻi. Before stepping into public office, he spent more than 20 years as a family physician and emergency room doctor, and even while serving in government, he continued caring for patients in rural and underserved communities across Hawaiʻi. He’s one of the few governors in the country to keep practic...

Kahoʻokahi Kanuha is a prominent Native Hawaiian educator from Moku o Keawe and a respected cultural practitioner dedicated to ʻike Hawaiʻi and cultural revitalization. Many first came to know him during the movement to protect Mauna Kea, where he became one of the key leaders helping guide and organize the kiaʻi. He has served as a Hawaiian language advisor for Apple TV’s Chief of War and as Jaso...

Michael Sonoda Dias is a Hawaiian Language speaker from the island of Oʻahu. He is the father of podcast host Kamaka Dias and the man who brought the Hawaiian language into their ʻohana. Through his work at ALU LIKE, he’s dedicated his life to serving Hawai'i and uplifting Native Hawaiian and indigenous families through education, culture, and opportunity. In this episode we talk about Uncle M...

Konishiki Yasokichi (Saleva'a Fuauli Atisanoe) is a cultural ambassador and sumo legend from the island of Oʻahu. He became the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to reach Ozeki, the second highest possible rank in the sport. During his career, he won the top division championship on three occasions and came very close to becoming the first foreign-born grand champion, or Yokozuna. At his peak w...

Lisa Kai is a Senior pastor, author and entrepreneur from the island of Oʻahu. She is a visionary leader with a heart to advance faith, purpose, and community. Alongside her husband — and past podcast guest — Mike Kai, she serves as senior pastor of Inspire Church, a thriving multi-site congregation based in Honolulu. Hawai’i. Each year, she hosts the Arise Conference, empowering women from across...

Micah Tengan is a content creator and entrepreneur from the island of Oʻahu. He’s a UH Mānoa graduate with a business degree and a storyteller with a growing audience of nearly 2 million followers across TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. This young hustler is known for his positivity, creativity, and spreading aloha through community-centric content. When he’s not creating content or connecting with...

Dennis "Bumpy" Kanahele is a Native Hawaiian leader from the island of O’ahu. He is a cultural practitioner and one of the most influential voices in the modern Hawaiian sovereignty movement. Bumpy is best known as the leader of Puʻuhonua o Waimānalo, a self-sustaining Hawaiian community built on traditional values, culture, and aloha ʻāina. He rose to prominence in the early 1990s after...

Isaiah Kaikala is a content creator and barber originally from Washington, now living in Hawaiʻi. When he’s not cutting hair, you can find him on the golf course or online making content. He’s cutting hair, creating content, and now talking stories with us in the studio today. In this episode we talk about growing up away from Hawai’i, living with Hawaiian values in Washington, how he got into cut...

Pua DeSoto is a professional surfer and entrepreneur from the island of O’ahu. She is the youngest podcast guest we’ve ever had on and now she is back 2 years later as the CEO of Actions of Aloha. Check out episode 65 of the Hawaiiverse podcast to learn more about her life story. In this episode we talk about what she’s been up to since her first time on the podcast, life in college, going all in...

Patty Mills is an Indigenous Australian professional basketball player from Australia. He is a five-time Olympian, NBA Champion, and 16-year NBA veteran. Across his NBA career, Patty has played in over 900 games for seven teams, including a pivotal role in the San Antonio Spurs’ 2013–14 championship season. Internationally, he recently competed in the 2024 Paris Games, where he moved into fifth pl...

Kanoelehua Robinson is a flight attendant and model from the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. She is the new face of Hawaiian Host alongside Kahanu Cuban, following in the footsteps of past podcast guest Kawehi Kamakele. This local girl has modeled for brands such as Kahulaleʻa, Manuhealiʻi, and Manaola — even walking in New York Fashion Week representing Manaola. She’s also part of the Hawaiian Airlines pr...

Jason Keifer is a psychiatrist from Omaha, Nebraska. He is the founder of Brain Health Hawaii, where he serves as the CEO and Medical Director, bringing decades of expertise in brain health. As a double board-certified physician, he is committed to strengthening the development of our children and members of our community. His innovative work integrating neuromodulation, sleep and circadian rhythm...

Mike Garcia A.K.A. Island Magic Mike is a comedian, creator, and all-around entertainer from the island of Oʻahu. You’ve probably seen his hilarious skits online or maybe even caught one of his live shows around the islands. This father and husband has appeared in many commercials and emcee’d many different events. From the stage to social media, he’s been spreading his positive and infectious ene...

Sam Choy is a legendary chef and TV personality from the island of O‘ahu. He’s widely recognized as the “Godfather of Poke” and one of Hawai‘i’s true culinary ambassadors. Celebrated for helping develop and popularize Hawaiian Regional Cuisine, Sam introduced authentic island flavors to the world and changed the way people experience Hawai‘i through food. A James Beard Foundation “America’s Classi...

Egan Inoue is a multi-sport champion from the island of Oʻahu. He’s a 2-time Racquetball World Champion, 2-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion, and 5-time MMA World Champion. Egan made history as the first non-Brazilian to ever win a BJJ World Title — paving the way for athletes around the world and putting Hawaiʻi on the global stageBeyond being a fierce competitor, Egan is a devoted father,...

Dean Wilhelm is a community leader from the island of Oʻahu and the co-founder and co-director of Ho'okuaʻāina — a gathering place for people to connect with and care for the ʻāina (land). Through the cultivation and preparation of kalo (taro), Ho'okuaʻāina perpetuates Hawaiian culture and provides healing for the community, especially at-risk youth. He is also a musician and former teacher. Toget...