In this episode, we share space and song with Kukui, a musician, law student, and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi advocate whose life flows with aloha and mele (song, poetry, chant). This conversation is a testament to her love of music and how to her, mele is moʻokūʻauhau (genealogy). After seven years away, she returns home to Oʻahu with kuleana to teach and nurture others through oli (chant), cultural protocol, and ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language). Kukui was raised in a family of musicians and has always been surrounded by music. From Afrobeats to '70s throwbacks to classic Hawaiian melodies, she hopes to create more spaces where music and ʻohana come together to kanikapila (play music). Kukui shares how patience and a “let’s learn together” mindset have shaped her path from her home in Waimānalo to studying at Ka Haka ʻUla ʻO Keʻelikōlani at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Through stories of spirituality and creative flow, she reminds us that mele transcends sound as identity, prayer, and the heartbeat of family. Episode Highlights 00:00 Welina mai, e Kukui! 00:32 Moving back to Oʻahu after 7 years 01:54 Big Mama Energy: teaching and mālama through spirituality and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi 04:55 On patience: ʻAʻohe hua o ka maiʻa i ka lā hoʻokahi 06:27 “Let’s learn together”: Hawaiian Club at UH Hilo (Hui Keaomālamalama) & Ka Haka ʻUla ʻO Keʻelikōlani 08:42 Waimānalo roots, learning Hawaiian before English 10:00 Lullabies forever: a musical ʻohana 11:58 The creative force and spirituality 17:22 Music and identity 20:32 Inspo: Afrobeats ("Soso" is a fav) and Hawaiian throwbacks (she loves "Kanaka Waiwai") 22:46 Mele is the heartbeat of ʻohana 29:06 On the horizon Enjoy mele from a special playlist Kukui created: Apple Playlist: 8/8 vibez🌈💧 https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/8-8-vibez/pl.u-4Jomz9JudERjqx Spotify Playlist: 8/8 vibez🌈💧https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1koRNqKXpvTXPQXabPWj8D?si=fLt7GK9lQ0yuFykU5XJdVQ&nd=1&dlsi=e9ec97cfc14f40a8 Check out Nā Puke Wehewehe for Hawaiian > English translations: https://wehewehe.org/ Photo credit: Kukui Episode Art: Molly Mamaril Recorded August 2025

Aloha friends - today on Heartbeat Narratives, we’re sitting cross-legged on the floor in Kaimukī, Honolulu, with the windows open and the trade winds carrying stories. Our guest, Angelina Elido, is a traveler in every sense of the word. This past year, you could find her dog sledding across icy Minnesota landscapes, building earthships in New Mexico and ideating a wellness retreat in Turkey. We talk about what it means to come home to Kalihi, Oʻahu, and how to dissolve old patterns and reframe our thoughts. By prioritizing her interests, Angelina shares how she is chasing her joy by proactively cultivating communities of connection. The conversation is about finding our own rootedness and how to follow your dreams NOW. Enjoy this larger than life interview with Angelina - the girl who is everything, everywhere, all at once. 👉 Follow Angelina’s journey on📸 Instagram: @angelinaelido🎥 YouTube: Angelina Elido Episode Highlights 01:21 — Home in Kalihi, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi02:37 — Minnesota to New Mexico adventuring: homesteading, acting, earthships03:53 — Building a regenerative community through earthships08:31 — “Dog sledding was epic”12:03 — Unplugging from technology, campfire connections14:31 — Travel business ventures17:03 — “Life is short” — follow your dreams20:06 — Life hacks and the power of reframing24:41 — CONNECTION is everything26:18 — Next big project: “It requires a village to make a village”29:43 — Creating a new reciprocal economic model for community32:56 — Book recommendations35:23 — Building an empathetic world, starting from within Books That Guided Angelina on Her Journey Belonging: Remembering Ourselves Home — Toko-pa Turner The Way of Integrity: Finding the Path to Your True Self — Martha Beck When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times — Pema Chödrön How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy — Jenny Odell The Secret Life of Plants: A Fascinating Account of the Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Relations Between Plants and Man — Christopher Bird & Peter Tompkins Photo Credit: Angelina Elido

IN SERVICE OF THE SEA · On this episode, longtime Mālama Maunalua volunteer and science educator Ralph Dykes joins from Maunalua, Oʻahu where he has spent over 15 years helping restore the native marine ecosystem. A consistent presence who kayaks every day, Ralph reflects on what it means to care for a place over time and why that kind of steady, local effort matters. He shares stories from his life shaped by service, including growing up after Pearl Harbor, serving in the Navy, and teaching science for decades before dedicating his retirement to mālama ʻāina (caring for the land). This conversation, recorded from the shoreline of Paikō Beach, is a grounded look at quiet leadership and what being in service of the sea means for Hawaiʻi. Episode Highlights 01:05 – Meet Ralph Dykes - science educator and Mālama Maunalua volunteer 03:01 – Life before the classroom... and what came after 03:41 – From Navy ships to Honolulu shores 05:35 – Teaching science, coaching students, and lessons that stuck 09:52 – Restoring an ecosystem, one kayak trip at a time 13:34 – Volunteering: why community matters more than ever 17:05 – What keeps Ralph inspired after all these years 18:23 – Advice for the next generation To learn more about Mālama Maunalua or volunteer, please visit: https://malamamaunalua.org/ Photo Credit: Alex Awo

ROOTS, REGGAE & RHYTHM. Dr. Sunaina Keonaona Kale, an ethnomusicologist and member of the Hawaiian diaspora, explores the connections between reggae music and her growing interest in her Hawaiian identity. The conversation traces how reggae found a home in Hawaiʻi and how its rhythms echo the islands’ own expansive sense of community and belonging. Sunaina shares her own path of reconnecting to her genealogy through fieldwork, family stories, and unintended (but helpful) “me-search.” The discussion dives into questions of identity, ancestry in Polynesia, India and Europe, and the evolving meanings of being Hawaiian in the modern world. This episode is an unfiltered exploration of how music can shape who we are and where we call home. Sunaina was recently featured in a University of California article about how reggae came to Hawaiʻi , exploring the evolution of the islands’ unique reggae sound and its deep cultural roots. https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/how-reggae-came-to-hawaii She also appears in the documentary In Hawaiian Hands – Part 1, which highlights local voices and stories of connection to place and culture. Part 2 of the film was released recently. https://www.pbs.org/video/in-hawaiian-hands-the-story-of-reggae-in-hawaii-part-1-roots-of-creation-yjkqdc/ Favorite Songs List! Island Music / Island Reggae / Jawaiian Brother Noland – “Coconut Girl” Bruddah Waltah – “Hawaiian Lands” Nā Wai Ho‘olu‘u o Ke Ānuenue – “Girlie Girlie” Kapena – “Masese” Fiji – “Come on Over” Sean Na‘auao – “Fish and Poi” Three Plus – “Honey Baby” Natural Vibrations – “One on One” Anuhea – “Simple Love Song” J Boog – “Let’s Do It Again” Irie Love ft. Fiji – “It Is Wut It Is” Common Kings – “Wade In Your Water” Sons of Yeshua – “We Are Mauna Kea” Paula Fuga (with Jack Johnson) – “Country Road / Give Voice” Maoli – “Whiskey Doesn’t Work” The Vitals – “Kali Ana Au” (a Hawaiian-language cover of Bob Marley’s “Waiting In Vain”) Iam Tongi – “Cool Down” Underground Roots Butch Helemano – “Joshua” Maacho – “Somebody Moved Me” Ooklah the Moc – “Hell Fire” Humble Soul – “Frequency” Ruff Neck Posse – “Down Inna Babylon” Episode Highlights 00:00 – 🎙️ Meet Dr. Sunaina Kale 01:10 – 🌊 Finding Home Across the Pacific 01:47 – 🎶 Nerding Out on Identity & Sound 05:15 – 🌺 Reggae With Aloha 08:03 – 🎧 How Reggae Took Root 11:14 – 💃 Favorite Jams & Behind-the-Scenes Stories 22:41 – 🌱 Roots in Hawaiʻi, India and Europe, Belonging and Spirituality 36:52 – 🤎 Reflections

Sham, a passionate skateboarder and coach, shares about his love of skateboarding and how it became a lifelong source of joy and confidence. From his first drop-in as a teenager to teaching kids as young as three at Skatebruh in Singapore, he talks about finding flow, pushing past fear, and embracing every fall as part of the ride. Now at 40, Sham continues to chase that same thrill that first sparked his love for the sport. Enjoy!

In a remote corner of Norway’s Hardangerfjord, Knut shares stories shaped by stone, silence, and saltwater. We talk about fly-catching, reindeer stew, and what it means to create without rushing. His world is one of quiet craftsmanship, reflection, and strong ties to the land and family. From building a simple pier to teaching children to sail, Knut’s life is woven into the rhythms of nature. This episode explores the slow intelligence of living close to the earth and the clarity that can come from doing less. It is a conversation about presence, connection, and the kind of peace that grows over time. Tusen takk (a thousand thanks) for listening! Episode Highlights / Episodens høydepunkter 00:37 — Introduksjon av Knut / Introduction of Knut 00:56 — Family dinner, reindeer stew, and fly catching skills / Familiemiddag, reinsdyrgryte og fluefanging 01:42 — Connection with nature / Forbindelse med naturen 04:17 — Togetherness / Samhold 05:57 — Living in harmony with the fjord / Å leve i harmoni med fjorden 07:31 — Building, creativity, and resourcefulness / Bygging, kreativitet og oppfinnsomhet 09:42 — Fruit farming in Hardangerfjord / Fruktproduksjon i Hardangerfjord 12:00 — Fishing and the art of self-sufficiency / Fiske og kunsten å være selvforsynt 12:53 — Daily life and quiet contemplation / Hverdagsliv og rolig ettertanke 14:40 — Inner peace / Indre fred 18:11 — Gratitude / Takknemlighet 20:18 — Closing thoughts / Avsluttende tanker Photo credits: Knut, Molly Mamaril

In this heart-to-heart conversation, Paulette Erato, host of La Vida Más Chévere de Childfree Latinas, shares her journey of rewriting life’s narratives. Based in Los Angeles and rooted in her Puerto Rican heritage, Paulette brings humor and relatable insights to the theme of joy. She opens up about taking a non-traditional path, practicing radical self-kindness, and embracing the quiet strength of soft power. Together, we unpack what it means to let go of societal “shoulds” and redefine success on our own terms. Through her stories, Paulette reminds us that it’s never too late to pivot - and that following our dreams is always a path worth taking. Mahalo for tuning in! ⏱ Episode Highlights: 01:07 – Paulette’s Origin Story: From Life to the Mic 01:49 – La Vida Más Chévere 07:01 – Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs 08:35 – Radical Self-Kindness 13:51 – Redefining Success on Your Own Terms 29:50 – TED Talk Dreams & Latinas in Podcasting 🔗 Connect with Paulette Erato 🌐 Website: pauletteerato.com 🎙️ Podcast: La Vida Más Chévere de Childfree Latinas – available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app. 📸 Photo Credit: Paulette Erato 🎨 Episode Art: Molly Mamaril

In this episode of Heartbeat Narratives, we talk story with Hiʻilei, a carpenter from Lāhainā, Maui who shares how following your intuition can lead to a fulfilling career. From her early days on the basketball court to navigating a male-dominated industry, she shares how grit and discipline shaped her path in the construction industry. Hiʻilei reflects on the heartbreaking Maui wildfires of August 2023 and how she found her calling to rebuild homes across Lāhainā. She opens up about walking in her purpose, trusting in Ke Akua and managing self care while off the job. With the dream to have Lāhainā ʻohana return to their homes, Hiʻilei's sincerity invites us into her day-to-day life and what 'rebuilding' means in all senses of the word. Mahalo nui for listening. Episode Highlights 00:00 Welina mai Hiʻilei 01:43 Lāhainā 02:13 Becoming a carpenter 04:40 Basketball laid the foundation for hard work, grit, resilience 06:47 Maui wildfires in August 2023 08:13 Changing the narrative for herself 09:52 Walking in purpose: rebuilding homes for Lāhainā ʻohana 12:58 Giving aloha no matter what - loving on others is key 13:55 Dreams for the future of Lāhainā - getting families home 15:24 Focusing and self care 17:35 What makes your heart beat? 18:38 Advice for those interested in carpentry and construction 20:32 Working in a male dominated industry, balancing the inner feminine and masculine 21:57 Build merit: How to hold your own on job sites 25:15 Tools and tricks 101 26:53 On the horizon Photo credit: Hiʻilei

In this mini travel episode of Heartbeat Narratives, Molly meets Leah Robb on a sunny morning by the river in Copenhagen, Denmark at Islands Brygge. Leah shares how swimming, from high dives to icy winter baths, has become a profound way to move through grief. What started as a tribute to a loved one’s suggestion of "winter bathing," has grown into a ritual of healing and helps her embrace difficult emotions. As an artist, Leah has also transformed her experiences with loss and a friend’s addiction into art exhibitions that spark conversations and inspire young people. Together, Leah and Molly reflect on resilience, mindset and transforming pain into purpose. Episode Highlights 00:00 – A Sunny River Meet-Up in Copenhagen, Denmark 00:38 – Diving into Joy 01:39 – The Spark of Winter Bathing 04:05 – From Grief to Gallery 06:53 – Words to Live By Explore Leah’s work: Art Website | YouTube: Leah Robb, the Arm-Wrestling Artist Book: Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times Photo Credits: Leah Robb and Molly Mamaril Episode Art: Molly Mamaril

At Singapore’s National Botanic Garden, Molly sits down with Paul for a lively conversation about his love for his country. Paul, a fourth-generation Singaporean and tour guide, reflects on the nation’s independence in 1965 and its transformation into a vibrant global city in just 60 years. He shares what brings him joy - from family and friends to the colorful cultures, foods, and traditions that shape day-to-day life. Paul also jokes about Singapore’s nickname as the “red dot” (a tiny speck on the map beside Malaysia and Indonesia) and how residents can help it shine as a united community. This mini-sode is a glimpse into Singapore through the eyes of someone who proudly calls it home. Episode Highlights 00:00 Strolling into Singapore 00:47 Fourth-Generation Roots 01:32 From Kampong Days to Global City 02:22 What Brings Paul Joy 03:22 A Colorful Mix of Cultures 04:49 The “Red Dot” That Shines Episode Art: Molly Mamaril

Aloha friends, this episode gave me the opportunity to reflect on my travels this summer and what it means to cultivate empathy across borders. From witnessing an American naturalization ceremony, to watching an international diving competition in Singapore, to experiencing Norway’s election this September, my thoughts have been spinning about what it means to be a global citizen. How do we treat others with grace and empathy as we each pursue our higher callings - and allow space for others to do the same? Iʻm carrying gratitude for how the past few months have led me to these new layers of understanding people and places; and Iʻm open to the spontaneous "downloads" that come next. There was so much to reflect on that I couldn’t call this one a mini episode! Mahalo for listening and learning alongside me. 🌍 Episode Highlights: 00:28 – Singapore: Reflections from the Lion City 04:50 – Thorn: We are what we eat 05:11 – Bud: Diving in 08:58 – Rose: Global citizenship + becoming a US Citizen (naturalization ceremony, immigration process) 15:00 – Election Day in The Land of the Midnight Sun 16:30 – Norway's King Harald V and his viral speech on equality 20:29 – Future episodes & ways to engage with Heartbeat

Welcome to Singapore’s Little India, where the air is buzzing with voices, incense, the the heavy heat of the sun. Amid the vibrant bustle is Nagaraj, a street vendor from Tamil Nadu, India who has spent the past decade handcrafting flower garlands of jasmine, marigold, and roses. Woven for celebrations including weddings and festivals like Pongal (Harvest festival) and Deepavali (Festival of Lights), each garland is made with speed and skill. Many of the blossoms are flown in fresh from India, carrying a reverence much like Hawaiian flower lei. Nagaraj and his colleagues work long hours to transform baskets of flowers into offerings of color and care. He speaks to the joy he finds in his work and his appreciation for life in Singapore. Photo Credit: Molly Mamaril

Two hearts = one solution. In this love story episode (recorded in a classroom), DJ and Hye Jung Tano interview each other about the beginnings of their relationship as math teachers at the same Honolulu school. DJ, a football coach from Kailua, Oʻahu, and Hye Jung, a waterwoman with roots in South Korea, Florida and now Hawaiʻi, built a foundation of trust through years of friendship before giving love a chance. Their story takes you through the quiet patience of DJ’s secret crush, the turning point into love, and the joys of marriage and welcoming keiki. Along the way, they share the humor and the real-life problem-solving that keeps them grounded as partners and parents. Looking to the years ahead, DJ and Hye Jung promise to keep laughing through the lasterdays and tomorrows. Episode Highlights 00:00 Welcome to the classroom 01:33 Meet Hye Jung and DJ 02:10 Who makes your heart beat? 03:54 When two paths intersect at new teacher orientation 06:11 From friendship to dating — shifting the equation 09:06 Three years of friendship (extra credit for trust) 13:11 The second chance 14:45 Love lessons 18:35 Life’s aha moments 19:06 First impressions that added up 21:33 Parenting joys and balancing acts 25:47 Growing old together 33:40 Laughing forever = solutions without end Episode Photo Credit: DJ and Hye Jung Tano

This mini episode takes you on a short stopover in Sydney, Australia as Molly (in her search for coffee and cabs) has happenstance meetings with Jane and Louie who each live and work in the city, ✨ Molly shares her rose, thorn, and bud with reflections about embracing her middle name, Noelaniokekai (Noelani) and leaning into our own voices and character amidst the efficiency of AI. Think: "make art, not content." ☕ Jane, our new favorite Balinese barista talks about finding meaning in her work and relationships. Her motto is: “I’m selling your day, not selling a coffee.” 🚕 Louie, the cab driver, offers a glimpse into his joy of travel to the Philippines and the variety of meeting new riders every day. Episode Highlights 00:23 On the road in Australia and Singapore 02:05 Roses,Thorns & Buds: Bud: Embracing Noelani 03:10 Thorn: donʻt lose your voice to AI 03:33 "Make art, not content" 04:23 Rose: Opportunity to travel and work remotely 05:54 Jane: your favorite Balinese barista 08:06 "I'm selling your day, not selling up a coffee" 11:42 Louie: the cab driver who loves the Philippines

In this episode, we dive into the life of Dan Worden, athlete, nonprofit founder, ocean safety expert, adventurer, and photographer, known to many as @adventuremandan through his social media following. Growing up in Oregon with dreams of swimming at a Division 1 school, Dan’s path eventually led him to the University of Hawaiʻi, where joining the swim team, biomechanics research, amazing friends and love of helping others helped him put down roots. He shares stories of cliff dives, his infamous turquoise van, and the body-mind connection that fuels his athleticism and curiosity. We also dive into the origins of his next venture, founding Palekana Aquatics Academy, and his mission to make ocean safety education accessible. As always, it is his hope to find balance between pushing limits and respecting the sea. Through it all, Dan reminds us that adventure is for everyone - if you match the positive energy. Episode Highlights 00:21 Meet Adventure Man Dan, your favorite wave-chasing, cliff-jumping storyteller 01:07 Big dreams of swimming for a Division 1 school 01:58 How Hawaiʻi stole his heart through biomechanics research, film swim lessons, and social media magic 04:38 Why friends make every adventure better 07:10 The origin story of @adventuremandan 08:47 That moment when someone recognizes you in public 10:39 Wearing more hats than your average lifeguard 11:45 The infamous turquoise adventure van 15:41 The cliff dive he’ll never forget 17:49 The body–mind connection and pushing the limits of what’s possible 20:57 Revisiting favorite wild places through new seasons, new friends, and new perspectives 22:58 Kilo (observe) 24:33 Why adventure is for everyone if you bring the right energy 25:17 Roses & Thorns - leading life with curiosity 26:49 Founding Palekana Aquatics Academy to spread ocean safety skills 28:25 Discovering his purpose by helping others level up 29:09 How to push the limits while honoring the ocean’s power 30:08 The essential aquatic safety skills everyone should know 32:31 What’s next for Adventure Man Dan 33:26 “Smiles are for miles” Photo Credit: Dan Worden @adventuremandan @swimmingwithdan

Seven-year-old Elle Nishimoto is a rising second grader with a big heart and dozens of stories to share. From breakdancing battles to running her own Honolulu-based shave ice business, Little House of Pure Aloha, Elle shows how creativity and hustle can start anytime. She talks about loving her baby brother, supporting classmates even when it means standing out, and the joy that comes from being brave and trying new things, like rock climbing and working in the loʻi kalo (taro patch). Through her parent's encouragement, Elle reminds us that having a good attitude and embracing fun can make anything possible. Mahalo for tuning in! ✨ Episode Highlights ✨ 00:34 👋 Meet Elle! She’s 7, full of smiles and ready to share her stories 01:00 💃 Busting moves in breakdancing battles 03:42 📿 Making bracelets and bead buddies galore 05:15 ❤️ Baby brother love 08:29 😄 How a good attitude makes everything more fun 10:08 🤝 Cheering for friends and teaming up with teachers 14:00 💥 “Hammah guys do hammah tings” 16:05 🧗‍♀️ Climbing like a rockstar 18:26 🍧 Serving sweet shave ice at Little House of Pure Aloha 22:03 🌱 Getting muddy and happy at the loʻi kalo 24:00 🦁 Finding courage and being brave every day Photo Credits: Scott Nishimoto Episode Art: Molly Mamaril

Today we’re joined by Nanea Lo, a fellow Native Hawaiian podcaster, and the unapologetically joyful voice behind Naughty + Native. Nanea who is from Papakōlea, Oʻahu shares her path of understanding native joy as a way to reclaim identity as a Kanaka Maoli wāhine and to live in her purpose to uplift the lāhui (Hawaiian nation) in everything that she does. We talk story about what it means to live at the intersection of indigenous and western worlds, and how to shift from just surviving to fully thriving. Nanea unpacks her tips on journaling, stacking positive habits, manifestation, and embracing the law of attraction. We also touch on the power of community and imagining a future where kamaʻāina (children of the land) live in abundance. We use many words from the Hawaiian language ('ōlelo Hawaiʻi) in this episode, so if you want to look them up to learn, www.wehewehe.org is a great starting place. Revival of indigenous languages is a key to understanding indigenous worldviews and ways of being so we invite all you to learn and grow in understanding of your own lineages. Where do YOU come from? What are the traditions, practices, and languages of YOUR ancestors? Mahalo for pausing and listening alongside us in this conversation. Episode Highlights 00:21 Intro to Nanea, your favorite "Naughty + Native" podcast host 02:48 Her origin story of creating a podcast about native joy 04:52 Purpose, identity and empowering lāhui (the Hawaiian nation) 09:54 Reconnecting with ourselves and other wāhine through Hoʻomana Hale Oʻahu with Moonkinetingz 13:19 Does it bring you joy? Navigating between two worlds: indigenous and western 14:51 Survival mode to thriving mode: reaching for our best selves, setting goals, honoring deadlines, sticking to the calendar, planning, positive habit stacking 18:37 Reflection through journaling 19:30 Manifestation and the Law of Attraction 23:22 Identifying the gray space (feeling stuck) and then pivoting 29:16 "I think of the future as today": Envisioning a thriving Hawaiʻi with forward facing Kanaka Maoli forward facing 33:31 "As native people, we create" Photo Credits: Episode art: Molly Mamaril Protest Photo: Nanea Lo Kahana Bay Photo: Tâm Koppelaar

Kon'nichiwa! Meet Chie Shimada, a multifaceted artist and tour guide based in Kyoto, Japan. Trained as a traditional Maiko (apprentice geisha) at age 15, Chie once embodied centuries-old customs before stepping into new roles as a grammar school teacher, hip hop dancer, DJ, and surfer. She shares how her ever-curious personality and pull towards the extremes has led her to the elegance of Japan’s history and the pulse of its creative scene. From teaching Japanese cooking classes to visitors (think fresh ramen and dumplings!) to creating beats behind the DJ booth, Chie approaches each season of her life with fluidity and rhythm. Her story shows how our evolving sense of self can stretch gracefully across both timelines and turntables. Kiite kurete arigatō! Episode Highlights 00:21 Chie Shimada of Kyoto, Japan 01:02 Training to be a Maiko, an apprentice geisha 01:59 A renaissance woman: surfer, DJ, teacher, tour guide, dancer! 05:11 Becoming a grammar school teacher and loving it 07:59 Yoshi, a favorite student 11:10 Experiences as a Kyoto history, cooking and foodie tour guide 15;36 Cooking tours: ramen, sushi, okonomiyaki, beef soup, dumplings 18:26 Love of dancing and hip hop culture 20:47 From traditional Maiko dances to the nightclub, drawn to the extremes 23:46 Favorite musicians: Grover Washington, Jr. and DJ Premier 25:02 How can travelers be better visitors in Japan? 25:25 Learn Japanese hand gestures (read between the lines!) 26:31 Do your food research 27:02 Choose a theme for each day of travel: food, culture, history, shopping, etc. 28:10 Hobbies are the joy of life - stay curious!

In this episode, Kevin, a tax attorney takes us back to Kauaʻi in the 1950s, where nature shaped his sense of home. He reflects on the tension between logic and the subtle pull of intuition and how we must learn to trust our gut feelings to connect back to ourselves. Kevin shares how certain truths live in the body, beyond what words can reach. We talk about love at first sight, finding connection in unexpected places, and our lifelong search for belonging. He also discusses how the law can be a tool for shaping society, while gut instinct shapes how we move through it. This episode is about paying attention to what feels authentic and learning to live in alignment with it. Mahalo for listening. Episode Highlights 00:22 Introduction to Kevin, Kauaʻi in the 1950s 02:03 Nature is dominant 03:32 Fish for days, forest was the icebox 06:18 Education and career as a tax attorney 07:43 Nature is home 09:23 Heart and body wisdom; accessing the deeper seat of our soul 12:09 Love at first sight: feelings stem from our search validation and security in the "home" 15:35 Love for strangers through recognition and connection 18:06 Falling in love on the internet 21:20 Love at first sight (that lasts) 26:43 The law as a form of social engineering: Balancing feelings and the legal world 28:25 William OʻDouglas' autobiography 30:08 Tapping into our gut feelings and seeing connections 34:54 Living an authentic life

In this episode, Daniel Etika Masifilo shares a journey that spans the football field, ancestral lands, and the inner work of reconnecting with his identity. Raised between cultures in Ewa Beach, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, with roots in Tonga, Norway, and Switzerland, Daniel speaks about his desire to belong, rediscovering his name, and embracing the ever-shifting path forward through the deep internal work of building character. From the intensity of Division I football and professional leagues across the U.S. and Denmark, to coaching and homestead life, this conversation is an honest recollection of how to "unlearn" to become your true self. Daniel's stories are relatable and show the human side of pivoting towards your inner purpose. IMUA! Follow: @dmasifilo @islandskills Episode Highlights 00: Intro to Daniel Etika Masifilo 01:14 Goal Setting 02:49 Ancestral roots in Tonga, Norway and Switzerland; from Puʻuloa, Oʻahu 03:54 Rediscovering self 07:08 Unlearning to recalibrate and be present 09:05 Homestead life on Hawaiʻi island, living in tune with nature 10:58 Growing up half Tongan, half Caucasian in Hawaiʻi; navigating belonging 11:56 Language toggling: Tongan, English, Pigeon 12:58 Evolving to be proud of our Polynesian names 15:56 American identity: we have to go further back to where weʻre originally from 17:08 A thousand ancestors stand behind us 19:10 Love of football and new beginnings 23:22 High school junior - on a different path 25:07 High School senior - back on track 27:00 Mount Sac Junior College and Arizona State 28:43 Self realizations and growth, joining the University of Hawaiʻi Warriors Football team 29:46 NFL hopes and receiving "Iʻm proud of you" 30:45 Playing professional football in Denmark, redefining character, getting back to the roots 32:26 Arena football in Colorado and Nebraska; still hopeful for the NFL 34:01 A new life trajectory - new relationship, getting back to ʻāina (land), connecting with the Lakota Nation and ancestral ways of being 35:12 One last shot 36:07 Back to Hawaiʻi, full circle moments with coaching 38:43 Ahonui: patience with perseverance 39:59 On the horizon 41:57 The producer mindset Episode Art: Molly Mamaril