Alexis Akiona is a Native-Hawaiian designer from the Big Island of Hawai’i. She is a local fashion entrepreneur who launched her business, Lexbreezy Hawai'i, during the Merrie Monarch in 2016 and has since climbed her way to the top with her creative designs that blend classic island style with a modern, sophisticated aesthetic. This second generation Alohawear designer is also a wife and mother of two. Most recently she gifted the Honolulu Community College $50,000 which will be provided over t...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr 29 min
Elijah Kālā McShane is a kahu from the island of O’ahu. This father of one is a direct descendant of chiefly lineages. He is the co-founder of Awakened Aloha which is an organization that focuses on inspiring a world where aloha is the heartbeat of humanity. His work bridges ancient wisdom and ancestral connection to modern wellness through mauli ola (healing arts) lā’au lapa’au (natural plant based medicine), aloha education, and community development. He runs a popular Instagram account where ...
Mar 16, 2023•2 hr 20 min
Puamakamae DeSoto is a 9x National Surf Champion from the island of O’ahu. Daughter of Longboarding World Champion Duane DeSoto, Pua is the first athlete in history to win both the explorer women’s shortboard and longboard titles at the NSSA Nationals in Huntington. In 2018 and just recently again in 2023, she was named the Buffalo Keaulana Waterwoman of the year after competing numerous events known as the waterman olympics. She was the youngest honoree ever to compete against an open men’s div...
Mar 09, 2023•1 hr 43 min
Kaniela Ing is a Native-Hawaiian politician and community organizer from the island of Maui. He was a former member of the Hawai’i House of Representatives from the 11th district representing South Maui from 2012 until 2018. Kaniela currently serves as the national director of the Green Network where he leads national campaigns to combat climate change. He also serves on various coalitions including Our Hawai’i, the Climate Power advisory board, and the Hawai'i Community Bail Fund board of direc...
Mar 02, 2023•1 hr 57 min
Dillon Pakele is an up-and-coming Native-Hawaiian, Samoan musician from the island of Oʻahu. He is the son of the late and great Kaulana Pakele, lead singer of Manaʻo Company, and specializes in island reggae music with an influence of R&B and gospel. You can hear this singer, songwriter and guitaristʻs hit singles ʻForgive Meʻ featuring Fiji, ʻNothing Nowʻ and Heaven in the Skyʻ on the radio and Spotify. In this episode we talk about carrying on his fatherʻs legacy, how he got into music, l...
Feb 23, 2023•1 hr 27 min
Kahanuola Solatorio is a Hawaiian language teacher from the island of Oʻahu. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in both Hawaiian Language and Hawaiian Studies and a Masterʻs degree in Elementary Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He is also a member of the Hawaiian musical group, Keauhou. They have released three albums and they have a total of 17 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. This kumu began his @ehoopilimai social media journey in 2020 for Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian langua...
Feb 16, 2023•1 hr 48 min
Kamu Grugier-Hill is a Native-Hawaiian professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals from the island of Oʻahu. This soon-to-be 8-year veteran in the NFL played college ball for Eastern Illinois where he earned first-team all OVC honors. In 2016 he was drafted by the New England Patriots in the 6th round before going on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles. Kamu is one of only a handful of Hawaiʻi-born players to ever win the Super Bowl during his time with the Eagles when they defeated t...
Feb 09, 2023•1 hr 29 min
Olena Heu is an award winning journalist from the island of Kauaʻi. She is an accomplished and sought-after television personality, entrepreneur and journalist with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Speech Communication from Hawaii Pacific University. As an award-winning reporter and news anchor, she received recognition for her journalistic excellence as a recipient of the distinguished Edward R. Murrow award, numerous Society of Professional Journalist awards and recent work has garnered a T...
Feb 02, 2023•1 hr 41 min
Big wave surfer Mark Healey is back on the Hawaiiverse Podcast fresh off of a 3rd place performance in the historic 34th Annual Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational to talk story with Kamaka. No script, uncut, and unfiltered...so things might get weird. Enjoy! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kamakadias Watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/Hawaiiverse Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hawaiiversepodcast/ Shop local on https://hawaiiverse.com/...
Jan 26, 2023•1 hr 29 min
Henk Rogers is a Dutch video game designer based on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. This father of four is an international gaming phenomena, entrepreneur and innovator who revolutionized the gaming industry by creating Japanʻs first Role-Playing Game and later bringing the legendary game of Tetris to the world. He is also the founder of Blue Planet Foundation based out of Honolulu Hawaiʻi, which has led efforts to pass the nationʻs first 100% renewable energy mandate, requiring the State of Hawaiʻi ...
Jan 19, 2023•1 hr 40 min
Kaliʻa Leimakani Kekela Wasson is a young entrepreneur from the Big Island of Hawaiʻi. She is the designer and CEO of Leimakani Swimwear, which is an all-inclusive brand that embodies every woman. This strong and motivated wahine has been featured in Sports Illustrated Swim and is also a professional dancer for the Miami Marlins baseball team. Most recently she founded the Hawaiʻi Swim Show which is Hawaiʻiʻs first ever resort and swim showcase. In this episode we talk about her humble upbringin...
Jan 12, 2023•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 57
Ka'ikena Scanlan is a Native-Hawaiian, Samoan musician from the island of Oʻahu. He is a father of two, and is a Hawaiian language perpetuator and lover of the ʻāina (land). Kaʻikena is the lead singer of his band Kaʻikena Scanlan and These Guys, a group that adds a cultural twist on lyricism that aims to revolutionize the face of a genre they call “Hawaiian Reggae". This kumu turned musician has had many hit songs such as Utu Bang Bang, Smoke All Day and He Kanaka. When heʻs not performing you ...
Jan 05, 2023•1 hr 57 min
Hawaiiverse host Kamaka Dias sits down with Hawaiiverse Podcast videographer/producer Jordan Tano in this special last episode of 2022. In this episode they go over some past conversations from old podcasts guests and talk about some hot takes like what does it mean to be Hawaiian and if blood even matters. Mahalo for all the support in 2022. See you in 2023. Enjoy the episode :) Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hawaiiversepodcast Watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/Hawaiive...
Dec 30, 2022•1 hr 32 min
Emily Jaime is a womanpreneur from the island of O’ahu. She is the owner and designer of the socially conscious and ethically-made clothing brand Yireh. After traveling the world, this wife and mother of two, has made it her mission to give back to others while growing a successful business. She is also an avid surfer and world traveler who is leveling up her business each and every year. In this episode we talk about her world travels, how she started her business, mental health, and so much mo...
Dec 22, 2022•1 hr 34 min
David Nikzad is a venture capitalist based in Honolulu Hawai’i. He is the co-founder and CEO of Emotional Intelligence Ventures, which is a psychedelic wellness company. He began his career in the Washington DC techno club scene and later brought his business acumen to angel investing. Over the past two decades he has supported ventures spanning nightlife, tech, real estate, and wellness industries. David is a father of two and is also the executive chairman of his holding company, Orthogonal Th...
Dec 15, 2022•1 hr 40 min
Kahi Pacarro is an environmentalist from the island of O’ahu. He is the founder of Sustainable Coastlines Hawai’i, the Director of Parley for the Ocean and the founder of the Tribenni, a website that allows you to raise money by volunteering in your community. This surfer and world traveler is also a husband and father of two and is the commissioner on the Clean Water and Natural Land Commission for the City and County of Honolulu. In this episode we talk about his unique career path, his love f...
Dec 08, 2022•1 hr 49 min
Duane DeSoto is a legendary waterman from the island of O’ahu. He is the 2010 ASP professional longboard world champion and founder of Nā Kama Kai, a non-profit organization that educates Hawai’i’s children about how to enjoy the ocean safely while becoming stewards for this rich cultural resource that surrounds the islands which we call home. Duane, who is also a loving husband and father of 8 and grandfather of 1, was inducted into the Hawaiʻi Waterman Hall of fame in 2015. Most recently he pl...
Dec 01, 2022•1 hr 47 min
Connor Tumbaga is a young hustler from the island of O’ahu. He is a new-generation entrepreneur who turned his love of cool sneakers into a money-making business venture, selling high-end rare sneakers to celebrities such as Da Baby, Justin Bieber, Drake, Ariana Grande, Post Malone, the Migos, and so many more. He has scaled this into a multimillion-dollar business and is now getting into music promotion and other business ventures. He is a local success story and inspiration to young, up and co...
Nov 03, 2022•1 hr 32 min
Kamaka Dias is a Hilo boy from the Big Island of Hawai'i. He is a proud Kula Kaiapuni (Hawaiian Immersion) student, a 2016 UH Mānoa graduate, a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer of Madagascar, and that crazy guy who paid off $53,757 worth of student debt in 11 months. This local who loves Locals slippahs is also the host of Hawaiiverse and the Hawaiiverse Podcast. In this episode we talk about his childhood and love for sports, his adventures traveling abroad, his time in Peace Corps Madagascar, an...
Oct 27, 2022•2 hr 2 min
Ray Cooper III is a Native-Hawaiian professional mixed martial artist from the island of O’ahu. He is a two-time welterweight champion who currently competes in the welterweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He is also a husband and father of 5 and was a three-time state champion wrestler and two-time O’ahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) champion. This Hawai’i native is the only fighter on the PFL roster to win back-to-back championships and make it to the finals every y...
Oct 20, 2022•1 hr 40 min
Alexander "Dane" Farnham is an actor who was born in Vermont and grew up in Kailua Kona, Hawai’i. He is a filmmaker, director, writer, producer, comedian and YouTuber. He is most notable for making comedy sketches, parodies, music videos, and impersonating famous people and characters such as Captain Jack Sparrow, Ace Ventura, and the Grinch. He is one of my favorite YouTubers and social media personalities of all-time. He is the one dollah kama’aina with one of the best pidgin accents out there...
Oct 13, 2022•1 hr 52 min
Brad "BW" Watanabe is a very talented musician from the Island of O’ahu. He is a singer, songwriter, music teacher, mentor and advocate for the Hawaiian language. This performer has been making music his whole life and has been playing the ukulele and piano since he was just a kid. In 2009 he joined his friends to form an all-star band of local musicians called The Green. He can be found on stage with The Green, Paula Fuga, Kimié, and many others well-known musicians playing bass, keyboards and ...
Oct 06, 2022•1 hr 39 min
Haelee Tallett is a jewelry designer from the island of Oʻahu. She is the owner and designer of Oceans Creations, a handcrafted jewelry brand specializing in trendy and unique designs that empower women to be their best selves in every way–from career to personal growth. This impressive young entrepreneur and black belt in Tae Kwon Do is making big moves and already has two store locations on Oʻahu, one at the Ka Makana Aliʻi Shopping Center and a brand new location at the Ala Moana Shopping Cen...
Sep 29, 2022•1 hr 39 min
Mark Healey is a professional waterman from the island of O’ahu. He is a big-wave surfer, award-winning spear-fisherman, free diver, and shark-expert. He earned his first surf sponsorship at age 13, went pro at age 17, and has since won many big-wave events like Todos Santos and in 2008 won the Spearfishing World Cup. This husband and father of one is also a conservationist, sky diver, bow hunter, yoga practitioner, photographer, filmmaker, and part-time Hollywood stuntman. He has devoted his li...
Sep 22, 2022•1 hr 57 min
Xeana Kamalani Dung is a Native-Hawaiian, Puerto Rican professional softball player from the Island of O’ahu. She is Hawai’i’s first ever professional softball pitcher and a gold medalist playing for the Puerto Rican National softball team. Kama was a former college standout winning multiple accolades such as all-conference honors while also holding records in multiple categories at UC Berkeley where she pitched the first perfect game in Cal’s history since 2010. She is also a model, actress, en...
Sep 15, 2022•1 hr 42 min
Daniel Aipa is a Native-Hawaiian, Korean, Chinese strength and conditioning coach from the island of Oʻahu. He is a writer and a former college head strength and conditioning coach where he programmed and coached 21 collegiate sports. He is also an author, husband and father of three. He is the founder of The Kū project which has amassed over 100,000 followers on Instagram. As a coach and consultant, he teaches people what it means to build a Kū body and live a Kū life. He is the Kūlest guy in t...
Sep 08, 2022•1 hr 34 min
Rylee Anuheake’alaokalokelani Jenkins is an accomplished Native Hawaiian, contemporary singer/songwriter with an easygoing island style from the island of Maui. She made her debut in 2009 and just a year later won two prestigious Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards for most promising artist and contemporary album of the year. This mother of one has performed, toured, and shared stages with artists such as Bruno Mars, SOJA, Kimié, Tenelle, Fiji, Jack Johnson, Cas Haley, Ziggy Marley, and our past podcast gue...
Sep 01, 2022•1 hr 33 min
Leon Kaulahao Siu is a Native-Hawaiian, Chinese musician, vocalist, recording artist, composer, poet, author, and producer from the Big Island of Hawai’i. He is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Hawaiian Kingdom and serves as a strategist and spokesman for the reinstatement of the Hawaiian Kingdom. In 2016 he was nominated for the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. He is the only Hawaiian composer whose work was recorded by the prestigious London Symphony Orchestra. He has composed soundtrack mu...
Aug 25, 2022•2 hr 18 min
Jake Shimabukuro is an award-winning Japanese-American Ukulele virtuoso from the island of Oʻahu. He has been playing the ukulele since he was 4 years old and has proven time and time again that there isnʻt any style of music that he canʻt play and he is not limited by four strings. His music combines elements of Jazz, Blues, Funk, Rock, Bluegrass, Classical, Folk, and Flamenco. This musician has gone from local phenom to YouTube sensation, from playing in tiny clubs to headlining the worldʻs mo...
Aug 18, 2022•2 hr
Bretman Rock is a Filipino-American social media and internet sensation born in the Philippines, but raised on the island of Oʻahu. This charismatic Leo is known for his makeup tutorials and humorous views on life, but is proving now that he is more than a beauty influencer showcasing his diverse skillset each and every day. He is the star of his very own reality TV show on MTV called MTV's Following: Bretman Rock, and in October 2021 was the first openly gay man to appear on the cover of Playbo...
Aug 11, 2022•1 hr 56 min
