TSP #20 - Luxury Flower Power w/ Chantelle Williams

On today's episode, we have a Muay Thai and MMA coach who has been traveling across the world training with some of the best fighters on Earth. He has experienced many hardships in his life that lead him down a dark path, but today, his life has been redeemed. Please give a warm welcome to Kamanu Ruiz!

We talk about Kamanu's journey into martial arts, the "machete story" (it's a good one haha), his experience with substance abuse and depression, being homeless, fighting and training in Thailand, his goal to be a Physician's Associate, his non-profit called Humanitis International, and much more!

Huge mahalo to Kamanu for being an awesome guest on my podcast! Good luck on being a Physician's Associate and I look forward to future matches you have in the future!

Follow Kamanu on multiple platforms:
IG: @kamanuthai
Warhammer IG: @warhammermma
Humanitis International IG: @humanitasintl

Editing by: 
Kelsey Sugai | @jedi_sugai

Music By:
Sunset Drive - Isaac De La Cruz | IG: @fiddlepino
℗ 2021 Isaac De La Cruz
Released on: 2021-12-09

Artwork By:
Sarah Marquez| IG: @trisarahtops_illustration

Instagram: kampai_sugai_808
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjAXiyRRg5gboZTHRZt7ebQ

On today's episode, we have actor, co-founder to Awakened Aloha, entrepreneur, and social media influencer. He's known as Son of O'ahu on social media. Please give a warm welcome to Elijah Kala McShane!

Elijah and I have a great conversation about spirituality, his new venture into acting, the 3 fundamentals of Hawaiian spirituality, the idea of Kaona, thje impact of tourism in Hawaii, local families leaving Hawaii, if Hawaii could be sovereign again, the differences between cultural appropriation versus cultural appreciation, and much more.

HUGE mahalo to Elijah for being an awesome guest on today's episode! Super happy for your success, and I'm exited to hear what God has in store for you in the future!

Follow him on multiple platforms:
IG:@sonofoahu
TikTok: @sonofoahu
Awakened Aloha WebSite: https://www.awakenedaloha.org
Linktree: linktr.ee/awakenedalohaglobal

Editing by: 
Kelsey Sugai | @jedi_sugai

Music By:
Sunset Drive - Isaac De La Cruz | IG: @fiddlepino
℗ 2021 Isaac De La Cruz
Released on: 2021-12-09

Artwork By:
Sarah Marquez| IG: @trisarahtops_illustrations

Instagram: kampai_sugai_808
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjAXiyRRg5gboZTHRZt7ebQ

On today's episode, we have director, actress, screenwriter, keyboard player, model, my wife and best friend, the Zippy's girl herself, Kelsey Sugai!

Kelsey talks about her new ventures as a model, her experience directing a film that she didn't write, her experience with acting in a horror short film, upcoming projects in the future, what she wants to accomplish in her career, and much more!

Big BIG thank you to my wife, Kelsey, for always being the best guest on my show! You definitely are my favorite guest on the show now and forever! Stay tuned for new upcoming projects from her this year!

Follow her on multiple platforms:
IG: @jedi_sugai
Production Company:  @worldbuildingproductions  
More info about her: bio.site/Azhujv

Editing by: 
Kelsey Sugai | @jedi_sugai

Music By:
Sunset Drive - Isaac De La Cruz | IG: @fiddlepino
℗ 2021 Isaac De La Cruz
Released on: 2021-12-09

Artwork By:
Sarah Marquez| IG: @trisarahtops_illustrations

Instagram: kampai_sugai_808
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjAXiyRRg5gboZTHRZt7ebQ

On today's episode, we have aspiring film and television producer, founder of her new nonprofit organization, Kahua Kollective, Miss Chinatown Hawaii 2022, and Miss Hawaii America 2023, Star Dahl Thurston!

We got to talk to Star about a lot of different topics. Star got to share about her influence that her mom had with her, why she decided to compete in pageants, her physical and mental transformation before competing in pageants, what her life is like after winning Miss Hawaii America, the benefits of liquid chlorophyll, and much more.

HUGE mahalo to Star for being an awesome guest on today's show! Star did great at Miss America this year, and we're all really proud of her! Great job Star, and good luck on completing your year as Miss Hawaii America 2023!

Follow Star on multiple platforms:
IG: @stardahlthurston
Kahua Kollective IG: @kahuakollective
WebSite: https://stardahlthurston.com/

Editing by: 
Kelsey Sugai | @jedi_sugai

Music By:
Sunset Drive - Isaac De La Cruz | IG: @fiddlepino
℗ 2021 Isaac De La Cruz
Released on: 2021-12-09

Artwork By:
Sarah Marquez| IG: @trisarahtops_illustrations

Instagram: kampai_sugai_808
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjAXiyRRg5gboZTHRZt7ebQ

On today's episode, we have former Honolulu Police Department officer turned content creator, Doug Korenic, on the show! On Doug's YouTube channel, he talks extensively about his time as a police officer for HPD, and the lessons he learned from his stories as a police officer. He's well known for his coverage of the Mike Miske cases, and his experience patrolling the Honolulu district.

We talk about how Doug got into being a police officer and why, Doug's experience with martial arts, his take on the Maui fires and how it was handled, Doug's opinion on the Mike Miske situation and where it's going, and much more. HUGE mahalo to Doug for being an awesome guest on the podcast!

For more information about Doug, check out his social media and links below:
IG: @dougkorenic
TikTok:  @dougkorenic @dougkorenic
YouTube:  @dougkorenic  
WebSite: https://dougkorenic.com

Editing by: 
Kelsey Sugai | @jedi_sugai

Music By:
Sunset Drive - Isaac De La Cruz | IG: @fiddlepino
℗ 2021 Isaac De La Cruz
Released on: 2021-12-09

Artwork By:
Sarah Marquez| IG: @trisarahtops_illustrations

Instagram: kampai_sugai_808
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjAXiyRRg5gboZTHRZt7ebQ

On today's episode we have National Geographic and multi-award winning author, Rita Ariyoshi to talk to us about her new book. Rita has been a writer and editor for many publications for over 20 years. She was the founding editor for the Aloha magazine, and worked as the editor for the Hawaiian Airlines inflight magazine. For the National Geographic, she was involved with many articles including writing two books: "Hula is Life: The Story of Halau Hula O Maiki" and "National Geographic Traveler:" Hawaii. She has written many non-fiction publications, but now she's ready to make her debut featuring her first fiction publication called, "Lion's Way."

We talk about the inspiration into writing Lion's Way, what inspired her to go into journalistic writing, authors who inspired her, how she got involved with National Geographic, what made her go into fictional writing now in her career, what she has learned from learning many different cultures, and much more. 

HUGE mahalo to Rita for being an awesome guest on my podcast! Also big mahalo to Kenny Simmons for setting up this interview.

For more information on Rita, check out the links below:
Website: https://ritaariyoshi.weebly.com
Savant Publication: Rita Ariyoshi: https://www.savantbooksandpublications.com/ariyoshi-rita.php
Lion's Way on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lions-Way-Rita-Ariyoshi/dp/173764312X/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=j6dBl&content-id=amzn1.sym.579192ca-1482-4409-abe7-9e14f17ac827&pf_rd_p=579192ca-1482-4409-abe7-9e14f17ac827&pf_rd_r=130-2869609-5276620&pd_rd_wg=A1ttG&pd_rd_r=f6ee4cfd-54b2-4323-9e69-78ad61b4ad2f&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk

Editing by: 
Kelsey Sugai | @jedi_sugai

Music By:
Sunset Drive - Isaac De La Cruz | IG: @fiddlepino
℗ 2021 Isaac De La Cruz
Released on: 2021-12-09

Artwork By:
Sarah Marquez| IG: @trisarahtops_illustrations

Instagram: kampai_sugai_808
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjAXiyRRg5gboZTHRZt7ebQ

On today's show, we have a returning guest. On our previous episode with this guest, we talked about his proof of concept film, Higher, which was becoming popular during a time where Hawaii movies needed more representation. Since then, he has been actively involved in creating short films, music videos, commercials, and supporting more of the film industry in Hawaii. He now works for Sight and Sound Productions, and is here today to talk about his first upcoming feature film, Decade of the Dead, in which he co-directed. Please join me in welcoming, actor, producer, director and storyteller, Fairai Richmond!

We talk about Fairai's love for films, the process of making Decade of the Dead, what he has learned as a filmmaker, his experience directing a film in which his family was acting and actively a part of, how important it is to encourage the filmmakers in Hawaii to continue creating, and much more. HUGE mahalo to Fairai for being an amazing guest on the show!

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, and subscribe to the Kampai Sugai Podcast.

Follow Fairai on various platforms:
IG: @fbrfilms
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3052790/

Decade of the Dead website: https://www.deadseasonfilm.com
KHON 2 Spotlight: https://www.khon2.com/living-808/decade-of-the-dead-a-hawaii-zombie-film/

Editing by: 
Kelsey Sugai | @jedi_sugai

Music By:
Sunset Drive - Isaac De La Cruz | IG: @fiddlepino
℗ 2021 Isaac De La Cruz
Released on: 2021-12-09

Artwork By:
Sarah Marquez| IG: @trisarahtops_illustrations

Instagram: kampai_sugai_808
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjAXiyRRg5gboZTHRZt7ebQ

On today's show, we have one of my childhood friends. We went to the same elementary school and middle school, but in high school, we went down different paths. Fast forward to today, and we've reconnected as content creators with different platforms. This was a very interesting episode for me to hear the journey that Amber has gone through to get to this point in her life. Please join me in welcoming, mental health advocate and travel influencer, Amber Durante!

We talk about Amber's journey through depression, her advocacy towards domestic violence, how she uses her platform today to encourage others, her experience on Maui, her plans for her platform, her love for traveling, and much more! HUGE mahalo to my friend Amber for being an awesome guest on my podcast!

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, and subscribe to the Kampai Sugai Podcast.

Follow Amber on various platforms:
IG:  @_aambam
TikTok: @aaambam

Editing by: 
Kelsey Sugai | @jedi_sugai

Music By:
Sunset Drive - Isaac De La Cruz | IG: @fiddlepino
℗ 2021 Isaac De La Cruz
Released on: 2021-12-09

Artwork By:
Sarah Marquez| IG: @trisarahtops_illustrations

Instagram: kampai_sugai_808
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjAXiyRRg5gboZTHRZt7ebQ

Today, we have a longtime MMA fighter and MMA coach, who has trained with some of the best in the world including Max Holloway and Cain Valesquez. He has recently made his longtime return to fighting coming off his wins in BKFC and internationally in BYB Extreme Fighting Series. Please give a warm welcome to BYB fighter, Jon "Untameable" Barnard.

We talked about Jon's long awaited return to fighting, why Jon got into fighting, how he handles fighting through injuries, why the UFC can't host any events in Hawaii, why he moved away from Hawaii, and much more.

HUGE Mahalo to Jon for being an awesome guest on the podcast today! Also, please share your support to Jon as prepares for his next upcoming fight in BYB Extreme Fighting Series on October 21, 2023.

For more information on Jon Barnard:
Jon Barnard IG: @untameable61
Jon Barnard YouTube:  @jonbd61  
Jon "Untameable" Barnard vs. Gareth Van Hoof: https://youtu.be/ShYP3VgcFU4?feature=shared

Editing by: 
Kelsey Sugai | @jedi_sugai

Music By:
Sunset Drive - Isaac De La Cruz | IG: @fiddlepino
℗ 2021 Isaac De La Cruz
Released on: 2021-12-09

Artwork By:
Sarah Marquez| IG: @trisarahtops_illustrations

Instagram: kampai_sugai_808
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjAXiyRRg5gboZTHRZt7ebQ

We got a special episode for you guys today. We teeter on the line between being real and getting canceled. I think that's what makes for the best conversations, because there's always something to learn from people's perspectives. This braddah is one of the realest guys I know for sure. Please give a round of applause to streamer, podcaster, content creator, entrepreneur, and lo'i kalo owner, Ikaikaloha!

We talk about some great topics that people can discuss. We talk about how he got into streaming, what inspired his branding, his new venture as a podcaster, Captain Cooke being an alien to Hawaiians, how society is too soft today, how American history can be seen as biased, and much more.

HUGE mahalo to Ikaika for being an awesome guest on my podcast! For more information on Ikaika, follow his links below:

IG: @ikaikaloha
TikTok: @ikaikaloha239
YouTube:  @ikaikaloha  
Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/ikaikaloha
Kick: https://kick.com/ikaikaloha

Website: https://ikaikaloha.com
Tales From the Taro Patch: https://open.spotify.com/show/0iTOI9HSeBZgmk7KiKLoSF?si=2ebe0595a79d4d0a


Editing by: 
Kelsey Sugai | @jedi_sugai

Music By:
Sunset Drive - Isaac De La Cruz | IG: @fiddlepino
℗ 2021 Isaac De La Cruz
Released on: 2021-12-09

Artwork By:
Sarah Marquez| IG: @trisarahtops_illustrations

Instagram: kampai_sugai_808
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjAXiyRRg5gboZTHRZt7ebQ