Above the bridge

Send us Fan Mail A coach who builds tougher teams with softer hands. A singer who swapped liquid courage for real conviction. A Hawaii-born artist designing a sound that can live anywhere. That mix is Mahina—grounded, generous, and ready for the world. We dive into her journey from playing shortstop and coaching high school softball to writing radio-ready songs that people can’t stop singing. She...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a lifelong passion is suddenly put on hold? In this deeply personal conversation, we journey alongside a former collegiate volleyball player Kayla Kilaulani "KK" whose devastating ACL and MCL tear forced her to reimagine her identity beyond the court. Her story reveals the remarkable resilience that athletes develop and how those qualities translate to...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what happens when your dinner companion whips out their phone before you can take your first bite? In this captivating conversation with Landon from High Grindz (@high_grindz), we dive deep into the world of food content creation in Hawaii, revealing the fascinating journey from casual dining to influential posting. Landon shares how his Instagram account began as a...

Send us Fan Mail What if the secret to lifelong fitness wasn't found in trendy gym routines or cutting-edge equipment, but in movements that make everyday life better?  Ky Vuong, owner of Key Fitness Hawaii, brings over three decades of expertise to this eye-opening conversation about functional fitness. Beginning with a touching story of how helping a depressed 70-year-old widower at his loc...

Send us Fan Mail Brad Miura—known to thousands as "Unkoholics"—has transformed Hawaiian social media with his simple yet compelling "what's your name and where you from?" food sampling videos. Behind this viral sensation lies a profound story of cultural preservation, entrepreneurship, and the true meaning of aloha spirit. From his day job as a construction project manager...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered about the healing power hiding in plain sight within the fungal kingdom? Join us as we welcome back Clint Pahia, founder of Medicinal Mushrooms Hawaii, for a fascinating deep dive into the world of medicinal mushroom that are transforming health outcomes across Hawaii and beyond. What began as a deeply personal quest to help his wife manage an autoimmune con...

Send us Fan Mail Remember those days when bodyboarding was king? When names like Mike Stewart, Jeff Hubbard, and Kainoa McGee dominated our conversations and magazine covers?  Hana Ahn certainly does – and he's bringing it all back through the So Stoked Boogie Series and Triple Crown of Bodyboarding. What started as a pandemic pivot has blossomed into a full-fledged movement. When COVID-19 sh...

Send us Fan Mail From someone who once "couldn't even cook rice" to an innovative culinary force transforming Hawaiian ingredients, Chef Mari's story is a delicious journey of passion and perseverance. She reveals how exposure to diverse food cultures in Los Angeles sparked her culinary awakening before returning to Hawaii to study at KCC Culinary. What makes her approach uniqu...

Send us Fan Mail Fresh off his wedding celebration, Thaddeus Park opens up his life to listeners in this intimate Q&A episode, tackling questions submitted through Instagram that range from deeply personal to light-hearted and everything in between. Thad shares the joy of his recent nuptials, describing the red and gold-themed event (a nod to his beloved 49ers) as "one of the best days of...

Send us Fan Mail Journey through two decades of island reggae with Walt G of Kawao as he shares the remarkable path from baseball fields to Hawaiian music stardom. What began as neighbors jamming on ukuleles evolved into one of Hawaii's most beloved musical groups, with hits like "Girl, Let Me Know" becoming local classics. Walt offers rare insight into the band's creative proc...

Send us Fan Mail Meet Maci Ono, a fitness influencer who transformed her body and discovered that the physical journey was only half the story. In this raw conversation, Maci reveals how she went from 250 pounds to losing 100 pounds—and the surprising darkness she found at her "after" photo. "I felt like a prisoner to my health when I was at my biggest, and then it's funny beca...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when pandemic isolation meets a lifetime passion for cooking and a community built on genuine aloha? For Cory Vidinha, it sparked the birth of Whiskey Smoke 808, a barbecue restaurant that's become much more than a place to eat—it's a testament to family, faith, and the enduring spirit of old Hawaii. Growing up in a family where men were exceptional cooks an...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take for a young DJ to carve out a meaningful career in Hawaii's competitive nightlife scene? CJ Park, son of industry veteran Jay Park, reveals the surprising truth behind his rise from playing $20 house parties to commanding major venue residencies and opening for artists like Little Wayne and T-Pain. The journey begins with humble origins – Park recalls being...

Send us Fan Mail DJ Mass Funk reveals the dark reality of nightlife success and his transformative journey to sobriety after 15 years of substance abuse in the Hawaii club scene. What begins as a casual conversation between friends quickly delves into the remarkable story of a talented DJ who opened for major artists like Alesso, Chainsmokers, and Cascade while simultaneously battling addiction be...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the thing you've done for twenty years suddenly doesn't align with your soul anymore? In this deeply personal conversation, Thaddeus welcomes back his longtime friend and business partner Hanson to discuss his surprising decision to walk away from nightlife promotion after finding renewed faith. Hanson, co-owner of Hawaii Events Unlimited and Level H Pr...

Send us Fan Mail What drives a person to transform their life from rock bottom to running a successful business? Meet Val, the founder of For My Family brand, whose story of redemption, purpose, and entrepreneurial spirit captures the essence of Hawaii resilience. Val pulls no punches discussing his former life of addiction—mixing fentanyl and other substances until his body literally broke out in...

Send us Fan Mail Tyla Reese Mane's journey to the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team unfolds like a perfect sports movie – complete with unexpected twists, heartbreaking setbacks, and triumphant homecomings. Growing up as the daughter of comedian James Mane, Tyla defied gender norms from the start. Not content with just playing soccer and volleyball, she became her high school's football kic...

Send us Fan Mail Dog owners, prepare to have your perception of pet nutrition completely transformed. In this eye-opening conversation with Kaleo Teixeira, of The Foundation Raw Hawaii, we dive deep into the world of raw dog food and discover why what goes into your dog's bowl matters more than you might think. Kaleo shares the alarming reality about commercial dog food - how it originated as...

Send us Fan Mail Remember when nightlife was about being present instead of posting about it? Flash and Thaddeus Park take us on a nostalgic journey through Hawaii's golden era of clubbing, when every night of the week featured packed venues and genuine human connections. This conversation reveals how nightlife promotion evolved from guerrilla marketing tactics (running from security while di...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine taking traditional Hawaiian flavors, combining them with southern-style barbecue techniques, and adding a dash of fearless culinary creativity. That's what Stephan Kina brings to the table every day as a Hawaiian-born pit master who's making waves from his unexpected home base in Montana. Stephen's story is one of transformation and discovery. Though his fat...

Send us Fan Mail This reunion conversation with Roni—who appeared on the second-ever episode of Above The Bridge nearly five years ago—dives deep into life's most fundamental questions while remaining refreshingly practical. The longtime friends explore how decision-making shapes everything from athletic success to business ventures to parenting. Roni shares wisdom gained from watching his so...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for an engaging episode as we dive deep into the world of dog shows, specifically focusing on the upcoming Battle of the Bullies at the Kroc Center on March 8! Our guests, experienced breeders and passionate dog lovers, shed light on what makes this event unique and vital for the local community. You'll learn about various bully breeds showcased in the competition,...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when life's transitions lead you to new opportunities and fresh beginnings? Join us as Becky Mits makes her third appearance on the podcast, sharing the excitement and emotion of her upcoming move from Hawaii to San Diego. We explore the evolution of our friendship over the years and the intricate logistics of relocating with her two adored dogs, Ramsey and Solan...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we introduce the remarkable Kanako, known to her Instagram followers as Style. Leaf, who shares her motivating journey of health and fitness, along with the mental hurdles she overcame. Her story is more than just a tale of fitness; it’s a testament to personal growth and resilience, offering a heartfelt look into the mental health challenges that often accompany physic...

Send us Fan Mail Jimmy Bender, better known as "Jimmy the Geek," graces the Above the Bridge podcast with his vibrant storytelling and unique insights into Hawaii's sports and entertainment scene. Known for his dual role as a radio personality and high school sports commentator, Jimmy takes us on a nostalgic journey from his early days at I-94 to his impactful presence on Spectrum O...