Design Talk Hawaii

Joining Matt is Thea Marshall, a true creative who has woven together a lifetime of academic and life experiences into a rich and wide tapestry of endeavors as diverse as authoring her father’s WWII memoirs to becoming a preeminent expert in kaleidoscope artistry.

Joining Matt in the studio is the enthusiastic Marianne Ambrose, an Amazon-award-winning author and sign language entertainer. Marianne is a creative force in the local sign language community, with several fun children’s books, animation movie plans, and other branded products in the works to help all of us to learn and appreciate the needs of our hard-of-hearing colleagues and friends. https://www.facebook.com/MarianneofWaikiki 

Take a mental break from the isolation and social distancing as Matt catches up with a friend and former guest of the show, June Dillinger, who has just released a new book entitled, “The Benefit of the Ex: Making Love Visible When Everything Changes”. With her book, June explores ways to help all of us learn from the ending of a relationship in new ways that help us grow and thrive. https://makinglovevisible.com 

Joining Matt in the studio is popular television and radio personality, Billy V. Sometimes referred to as the “Hawaiian Ryan Seacrest” for his diversified career, Billy is widely recognized throughout the islands and known to have one of the most familiar voices in Hawaii. https://www.billyv.net 

Joining Matt this week are Salem Media of Hawaii radio colleagues “Team Lally”, residential real estate experts Adrienne Lally and Attilio Leonardi. Adrienne and Attilio co-host a weekly one-hour show every Tuesday at 6 pm on AM 690/94.3 FM. Team Lally shares with us their real estate insights and recommendations about how to handle your real estate issues during -and after- this unprecedented coronavirus situation. https://teamlally.com

Matt’s joined by self-proclaimed “serial eco-entrepreneur” Scott Cooney of Pono Home Inc. From his humble business beginnings in 2003, Scott has built an impressive resume of business startup ventures, all focused on emerging sustainability that serves our community and helps save our planet. https://ponohome.com  

Kam Napier, Editor-in-Chief of Pacific Business News, returns to Design Talk Hawaii for his annual chat and to mark the beginning of our 6th Year. Kam and Matt reflect on the PBN mission in the community and in this unique moment for contemporary media outlets. https://www.bizjournals.com/pacific

We explore the challenges and opportunities of language literacy with U.H. Associate Professor Dina Yoshimi. Dina is the Director of the Hawai‘i Language Roadmap Initiative, a federally funded program aimed at producing more multi-lingual graduates to better serve all areas of our business community. http://nflrc.hawaii.edu/languageroadmap

After a simple day on the beach three years ago, Kate Reimann dedicated herself to solving the problem of creating environmentally friendly beach toys that would not add plastic to the marine world. Listen to hear how her new venture, Rogue Wave Toys, has accomplished the prototype and is ready to launch! https://www.roguewavetoys.com

Matt has some fun with ventriloquist Abba Geebz. Geebz has gained so many skills in his life, including a stint as tour guide at Kualoa Ranch. But all of it has been in preparation for his most important life mission of bringing smiles, joy, and laughter to kids at 100 hospitals over 365 days. http://www.abbageebz.com

Matt spends a fun hour chatting with two `Ukulele masters, Dr. Trey Terada and Jody Kamisato, about this weekend’s 12th Annual `Ukulele Picnic & Contest at Victoria Ward Park. Saturday is the `Ukulele Contest from 9 AM to 3 PM. Sunday is the Picnic, open to all. And Monday is the concert at Blue Note Hawaii. http://www.ukulelepicnicinhawaii.org/en/index.html

Matt chats with Miss Hawaii 2019, Nikki Kehaulani Holbrook. An accomplished pianist and athlete, Nikki was introduced into pageant life in her teens, and has thrived through its many opportunities for personal growth and scholarships that have helped her education goals at BYU Hawaii. Inspired by her passion for service, Nikki developed the SNAP (Service Nurtures All People) program; an interactive presentation to promote community service. https://www.misshawaii.org/nikki-holbrook-.html

Matt manages to sit down with Ka`imi Hanano`eau, one of the busiest musicians in Hawaii. Fresh from an appearance in New Zealand, this Maui native talks about his love of music, which has taken him from his start in Polynesian shows back in "small kid time" to an acclaimed career as a solo artist and opening act that has expanded throughout Hawaii, to the mainland, and around the world.  https://kaimimusic.com

Matt reconnects with Donna Blanchard of both Kumu Kahua Theatre and `Ohina Showcase to discuss The Work, an exciting new partnership between these two creative organizations. The Work is a unique onstage event format that will explore one film script through the lens of two theatrical directors, using the same set of actors. http://www.kumukahua.org

Matt meets with local artist and muralist Hilton, also known as Hilton Alves. Brazilian by birth, Hilton is self-taught from an early age. His surrealistic works, depicting the aquatic world are already legendary here on the islands and around the world, as are his humble, collaborative work with local school kids and his love of his community. https://www.101perfectwaves.com

Matt visits with Impact Hub Honolulu’s Head Host and Program Coordinator Josh Rivera. They discuss all that is Impact Hub Honolulu, the purpose and benefits of co-working environments, and the unique events and offerings of this international network of Hubs. https://impacthubhnl.com

Matt kicks off the New Year with Jaimey Hamilton Faris, Associate Professor of Art History and Critical Theory at UH Manoa, for a fascinating discussion on creative approaches to climate change and climate justice, as well as an exciting exhibition she is curating: Inundation: Art and Climate Change in the Pacific.  https://www.inundation.org

Matt spends the hour talking with his good friend and colleague Jessika Lawrence. Jessika is an accomplished local real estate broker who has helped shape the commercial retail community. She also has a passion for Film and TV, and has launched several projects that are taking shape and stoking her creative fire. https://www.jfodor.com 

Joshua Tavares and Zare Anguay, two bright young local actors, join Matt in studio to tell us about their exciting lives as cast members of the 20th Anniversary Tour of RENT, which is playing 8 shows this month at the Blaisdell, from December 24th to the 29th. www.broadwayinhawaii.com

Matt takes a deep dive into the commercial real estate community and speaks with Wendell Brooks, the Senior Vice-President of Retail at JLL Hawaii. Wendell comes from a strong real estate pedigree and is currently representing numerous major landowners and companies in Hawaii as they build and rebuild our neighborhood community centers through quality planning and design. https://www.us.jll.com

Miles Phillips sits in for Matt, while he recovers from shoulder surgery. Joining Miles in studio is veteran entertainer Kip Wilborn, who tells us how his storied career path has led him to his new role as Executive Artistic Director at Manoa Valley Theatre and all about MVT’s exciting new season! https://manoavalleytheatre.com/

Matt sits down at the creative table with actor and educator Kevin Pease. Kevin comes to the studio as ambassador for the BEAUTIFUL production of Songs For A New World, presented by the I'm A Bright Kid Foundation at Paliku Theatre. Kevin talks story about his career, the IABK Foundation, and about his experience as a company member in this dynamic staging of Jason Robert Brown's song cycle, conceived and directed by Jade Stice. https://imabrightkid.org/tickets/

Kids and Creativity are the focus when Matt chats with Heather Williams, the Executive Director of Art Explorium. This art and sustainable education community center, in the heart of Kaimuki, focuses on hands-on creative activities that nurture tomorrow’s creative thinkers. https://artexplorium.org/

Matt has an inspiring conversation with Yohei Takahashi, the entrepreneur behind Dean & DeLuca Hawaii, and his new Executive Chef Kevin Carvalho. From Tokyo and The Big Island, respectively, this creative team has quietly transformed the always stellar Dean & DeLuca brand into something very local and very unique to Hawaii. https://www.deandeluca-hawaii.com

Matt has the privilege to talk story with the legendary Henry Kapono and up and coming solo artist Alx Kawakami, about their music careers, their life stories, and their Artist2Artist Series performances happening in Maui and at the Blue Note in Waikiki. https://www.henrykapono.com https://www.alxkawakami.com

Matt sits down with Lee Anderson, the General Manager of the new Hawaiian Brian’s, now known as HB Social Club. Lee returned to Hawaii in 2012 and has been working with his father to transform this iconic pool hall into Hawaii’s premier nightlife and live music venue. https://hbsocialclub.com

Matt has a fascinating conversation with Lisa Kimsey, the new School Leader of SEEQS (the School for Examining Essential Questions of Sustainability), an innovative charter middle school sharing the campus of Kaimuki High School. SEEQS is a project-based school committed to creating positive change in the world, through intentional community building, explored through real world issues. http://www.seeqs.org

Matt kicks off the Halloween season by welcoming Jorge Garcia, Rebecca Garcia, and Andy Dewald from Skeleton Key Hawaii, who are presenting this year’s spectacular Haunted House on Hamakua Drive in Kailua: “Jorge Garcia’s Mutant Massacre!” http://www.skeletonkeyhawaii.com

Matt welcomes Camaron Miyamoto & Sean Barrett, two key members of the local organizations presenting Honolulu Pride 2019. They discuss the diverse offerings celebrating this year’s Pride Month across the islands, starting with events observing National Coming Out Day at UH Manoa. https://hawaiilgbtlegacyfoundation.com/honolulu-pride-2019

Matt visits Maui-based filmmaker and music producer, Brian Kohne, whose film KULEANA swept through the film festival circuit, including being lauded as the Best Hawaiian Film of 2018 by Hawaii Film Critics Society. Retitled MAUI, it’s now being released on Blu-ray and DVD. https://hawaiicinema.com 

Matt visits with the curator of Asian Art at the Honolulu Museum of Art, Shawn Eichman. We learn more about Shawn’s unique role at the museum, and discuss the exciting exhibition on display until January, called Contemporary Landscapes of Li Huayi. https://honolulumuseum.org

Matt talks with longtime Hawaii theatre legend Bree Kaleʻa Peters about her newest venture, the Hawaii ArtSpace Alliance, and its first breakthrough project. The ArtsPlay Festival will bring photographers and actors together culminating in interpretive performances across the islands. https://hawaiiartspace.com

Joining Matt for an informative conversation, are special guests Councilmember Kym Pine and retired Real Estate Attorney Mel Kaneshige, two of the team members who recently created and launched a new small site apartment bill called Bill 7, aimed as spawning a new era of small apartment developments, so needed in our community. https://www.honolulu.gov/housing/affordable-housing.html

Matt checks in with the Hawai‘i Nature Center by way of its new Program Manager, Taylor Fujimoto and Environmental Educator, Keoni Veriti. They discuss all the Center's exciting and creative programming for our keiki and people of all ages, to enhance our respect for, and knowledge about, our ‘Āina. https://hawaiinaturecenter.org

Matt sits down with Dr. Sara Mizban of the Hawaiʻi Arts Alliance & Dr. Mestisa Gass of Mental Health America of Hawaii, to learn more about their unique and groundbreaking collaborations and their upcoming, first ever Hawaiʻi Art and Mental Health Summit on September 6th at the Dole Cannery Ballrooms. https://mentalhealthhawaii.org/events

Matt’s joined by Steve Boulay, an owner and founder of MagicSpace Entertainment. For decades, MagicSpace has been dedicated to bringing the best live entertainment shows to Hawaii. Listen in to hear how MagicSpace is again breaking new ground and putting Hawaii on the Broadway tour map like never before. https://www.magicspace.net

Matt meets up with veteran actor Brandon Karrer and reconnects with Kevin Keaveney to recap Kailua Onstage Arts’ inaugural season. Listen in as we look ahead at season two, starting with Brandon and Kevin sharing the stage in a dramatic performance of A Steady Rain, opening August 23rd in Kailua. https://kailuaonstagearts.com

This week, we venture into the cemetery, well, a discussion of the subject at least, with two members of the Oʻahu Cemetery Association, Nanette Napoleon & Scott Power, who join Matt to share details about the cemetery’s 175th Anniversary celebration event, “A Musical Journey Through Oʻahu Cemetery” on August 23rd and 24th. https://www.oahucemetery.org/

Matt spends the hour talking with Eli Baxter and Mamiko Carroll of the Hawaii State Art Museum, to learn all about HI-SAM, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and the Arts in Public Places Program, to better understand how all of these come together in diverse events and programs throughout the year. https://hisam.hawaii.gov/

Matt’s joined by Steve Kothenbeutel and Duane Shimogawa of The Avalon Group, a local developer founded by Christine Camp, now celebrating its 20th Anniversary. The Avalon Group Is actively building and re-building our local neighborhoods through creative attention to community building. https://www.avalonhi.com/

Matt spends some quality time with Naoki Hayashi, the premier Gyotaku artist in Hawaii. From his Kaneohe studio, he has been practicing his craft for over 40 years now, but still shares the stories and love of Gyotaku with a joy and love that is youthful and inspiring. https://www.gyotaku.com/

Matt visits with Hawaii Youth Symphony president Randy Wong and musician Steve Treseler, about the Hawaii Youth Symphony’s Pacific Music Institute Summer Program, serving over 200 kids, ages 10 through 18, in 21 programs, across 3 Oahu venues, culminating in a concert at Blaisdell. https://hiyouthsymphony.org/pmi/

Matt has a fascinating conversation with writer/composer Denny Miyasato and actress Ciana Pelekai, as they discuss Denny’s new local musical: A Timeless Princess. This unique passion project on Princess Kaʻiulani’s life is playing ten shows at Mamiya Theatre from July 11th through the 21st.  https://www.atimelessprincess.com/

Matt talks with Creative Director Dianne Wennick and Director Zach Thomson about their unique and highly successful collaboration producing a documentary entitled Finite Water, a local film that is already receiving worldwide critical acclaim. https://www.finitewaterfilm.com/

Matt is joined by Joshua Mason and Joe Kent, two members of the team at Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, a creative local think tank dedicated to providing the intellectual foundation for the many public policy debates on topics seriously affecting our everyday lives in Hawaii. https://www.grassrootinstitute.org

Tuesday, June 11th marks the 147th King Kamehameha Day, so this week, Matt visits with Kainoa Daines, chair of the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission about the rich history and traditions of the events and parades, as well as his personal path back to Hawaii and the many roles he plays in Hawaiian cultural organizations. https://www.hawaii.com/kamehamehaday/

Matt’s conversation takes us up to Haleʻiwa, as he talks with Wy’s Galleries owner and artist Brian Wyland and legendary artist Dennis Mathewson about the upcoming Second Saturday Art Walk on June 8th from 1 PM to 5 PM. Haleʻiwa’s art community is thriving and growing with contemporary artists like never before. http://wysgalleries.com/

Matt talks with Allie Morales and Hayley Davis, two residents of Habilitat, about their 19th Annual Lū‘au on June 1st at Kualoa Ranch. Listen in as they share their personal stories and how Habilitat’s program helped them recover and empower themselves to make positive change. https://www.habilitat.com/largest-luau-hawaii/

Matt is joined by Chamber Music Hawaii’s oboist J. Scott Janusch and composer Jon Magnussen to talk about their Hawaii Oboe Legacy Project, an inspiring story of Scott’s bringing to life a new oboe made of rare Hawaiian kauila wood and the musical collaboration between the two to commemorate the historic event. https://chambermusichawaii.org/

Matt gets to know the multitalented, diversely creative Sterling Higa. From humble local beginnings and hard work, Sterling has fashioned a diverse set of skills and talents as a poet, writer, and musician, into an exciting array of career opportunities. https://sterlinghiga.com

Joining Matt at the creative table are two Artist/Sculptors, Janis Ku'uipo Lee and Jake Boggs, who are also members of E-MERGE Collective, an online format to connect all creatives, enhancing their individual visibility as well as their sense of community and collaboration. https://www.e-mergecollective.com