The Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Podcast Presented By SilverShark Media

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks with Joey Macadangdang, chef & owner of Joey’s Kitchen, Balai Pata, and the newly opened Dang Dang Noodle in Napili.  In this podcast Joey talks about his early culinary influences, the inspiration to open Joey’s Kitchen in 2015, the inspiration to open Balai Pata in Kahului in 2023, how the idea for Dang Dang Noodle originated, spending time in New York...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Rob Mason, chef/owner of RJ Gourmet Maui.  In this podcast Rob talks about how his mom was one of his first culinary influences, the path that unexpectedly took him from Philadelphia to Maui, what it was like establishing himself as a chef on Maui after moving here, the inspiration to branch out on his own and start a private chef business, his biggest ch...

Diane Woodburn speaks to Stephen Earnhart of Ocean Heart Healing.   In this podcast Stephen talks about the path that led him from working on movie sets to leading sound therapy sessions, how sound therapy helped him overcome challenges with addiction, the deep history behind sound healing, a short example from one of his sessions, Diane talking about her recent personal experience with Stephen in...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Riley Coon, Co-owner & boat captain at Trilogy Excursions.  In this podcast Riley talks about growing up on Maui in the family business, the decision to not branch out into a different career path, the responsibility he and the new generation of company owners have to keep the business going 53 years after it began, how he views the company differentl...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Jason Matsui, lead baker at Stillwell’s Bakery & Café in Wailuku.  In this podcast Jason talks about growing up on Maui, how he made the decision to get into baking while in college, the path that led him to joining Stillwell’s in 1994, lesson's he learned early on from founder Roy Stillwell, what a typical day is like for him with unconventional...

Diane Woodburn speaks to Paula Hegele, President at Maui Wine.  In this podcast Paula talks about joining what was originally Tedeschi Vineyards in 1990, what sparked the original idea to grow grapes on Maui, navigating the pros and cons behind the global success of their pineapple wine, how decisions were made to expand the grape and wine portfolio, why syrah was viewed as an important addition,...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Caleb Hopkins of Hana Hou Hospitality and the upcoming Lahaina Food & Wine Festival (Feb 18th-22nd). In this episode Caleb talks about his career path in hospitality, the transition from working in the restaurant industry to being an owner in a restaurant group, the original inspiration behind the Lahaina Food & Wine Festival, how the festival is...

Diane Woodburn speaks to Roger Stettler, renowned Executive Chef & Restaurateur on Maui.  In this podcast Roger talks about his early training as a chef growing up in Switzerland, a career path that included stops on the Big Island, Singapore, Seoul, & Maui, adapting to different cultures, his work on Maui that included Four Seasons & opening Taverna, spending time last year as a chef...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Deron & Kit Furukawa, co-owners of Maui Chili Chili Oil.  In this podcast Deron & Kit talk about what their product is, the inspiration behind launching the business, how they left their tradition career backgrounds to start this business, getting their big break at the Made In Maui festival, the time frame starting with when they created the firs...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Peter Merriman, Executive Chef & Restaurateur with Merriman's Kapalua, Monkeypod Kitchen, & Ulu Kitchen. In this podcast Peter talks about when to make changes on restaurants that have continued success such as Merriman's and Monkeypod, what defines a great guest experience, whether he can dine at his own restaurants as a customer or doe...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Richard Elliott, General Manager of the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort.  In this podcast Richard talks about his background growing up in Jamaica, eventually moving to Chicago where he got his first job with a hotel property, when he realized there would be potential for a career in the hospitality industry, his path to becoming a general manager, the value...

Diane Woodburn speaks to Stephanie Mallek, CEO and co-owner of Kula Lodge.  In this podcast Stephanie talks about dealing with the recent fire at Kula Lodge, the history of the property, her father Simon Vodjani's experience in the restaurant industry, an update on the damage that was done to the restaurant, how a small part of the interior was salvaged by a local firefighter, the impact of t...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Daryl Fujiwara, Event Coordinator for the Festivals of Aloha.  In this podcast Daryl talks about the history of Festivals of Aloha, the logistics behind putting on these events, the importance of communication while planning a festival series like this, a rundown of the two-month long event series starting with First Friday in Wailuku on September 5th and...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to David Gridley & Maria McMillan about the upcoming 2025 Seed To Cup Coffee Festival on August 10th.  In this podcast David & Maria talk about how they first got involved working in the coffee industry, how the Maui Coffee Association supports local coffee growers and producers, how David founded Maui Oma Coffee Roasting Company and Maria took over...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Jayson Asuncion, Executive Chef at the Royal Lahaina Resort.  In this podcast Jayson talks about his first culinary influences while growing up in Lahaina, moving to the west coast for culinary school and his first jobs in the industry, when he realized this was the career path he wanted to pursue, working for both independent restaurants and resort prope...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Erica Erickson, founder of Da Beehive store in Paia & the Maui Honey Bee Sanctuary.  In this podcast Erica talks about how she got into working with bees, going from weekly swap meet sales to opening a store in Paia, the challenges getting the store opened up, what types of bee products are available, why Maui is an optimal location for bees, why she...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Owen Campbell, CEO & Co-owner of Mana Recovery Center.  In this podcast Owen talks about the mission of Mana Recovery Center, the inspiration behind starting Mana Recovery Center, what needed to be in place to open Mana Recovery Center, different addiction treatment options offered to the community, the most rewarding part of his job, his advice for o...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Ryan Luckey, Executive Chef at The Pint & Cork.  In this podcast Ryan talks about his family ties to Lahaina, how his grandfather and father were involved with The Carthaginian II replica whaling ship in Lahaina, his culinary influences growing up, his first jobs in the culinary industry, his career path at different stops across West Maui, the differ...

Diane Woodburn speaks to Jeremy Solyn, Chef/Owner of NyloS located in Paia.  In this podcast Jeremy talks about his first job in culinary industry working in the Hamptons as an 18 year old, his career path that eventually brought him to Maui, what it was like to be the recipient of Best Chef's Table at the 2025 Aipono Awards, what guests can expect to experience at a NyloS dinner, how he work...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Ryan Cruz, Executive Chef at Hotel Wailea.  In this podcast Ryan talks about dropping out of business school to change his career path to the culinary industry, why fried shrimp brings up special family memories growing up, how he started on his culinary path, how public speaking classes from his business course help with his current career, lessons he le...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Zach Sato, Chef/Owner of Havens Harborside Fish & Chophouse & Havens Kahului Food Truck. In this podcast Zach talks about how he got his start in the restaurant industry, his favorite family dishes growing up, advancing his career once he became a chef, the decision to open his first restaurant, how the pandemic forced him to pivot on his plans, r...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Rhonda Alexander-Monkres, Executive Director of the Ho'ōla iā Mauiakama Disaster Long Term Recovery Group.  In this podcast Rhonda talks about the mission of the organization, bringing together various nonprofits and community leaders to help streamline recovery efforts, how the group supports different recovery needs, working on the challenge of reb...

Diane Woodburn speaks to GM Josh Hargrove & Hotel Manager Selawe Tau of the Westin Maui Resort and Spa and chair of the 46th annual Maui Charity Walk.  In this podcast Josh & Selawe talk about their career paths, the history of the Charity Walk, why the event is important for the Maui community, the goal this year for Maui to raise $2M for local nonprofit organizations, what the role of ch...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks Meli James, co-founder of Mana Up.  In this podcast Meli talks about what Mana Up does, the inspiration behind launching the company, the process going from the initial business idea to the first day of company operations, initial challenges the company had to overcome, ways that Mana Up helps local businesses, examples of Maui businesses that have grown wit...

Jason Evans of SilverShark Media speaks to Kyle Fleming, co-founder & head brewer at Pauwela Beverage Company.  In this podcast Kyle talks about brewing fermented beverages like Kombucha, differences in brewing kombucha vs beer, Kyle’s background that led to this career, starting the business in January of 2020 and having to immediately adapt to the pandemic, their biggest challenge getting th...