Aloha Alive: The Dawn O'Brien Podcast

Dawn O'Brien
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Society & Culture

Why Aloha? the whole world knows what aloha is--love in Hawai'i--but better to ask WHY ALOHA? the answer is as essential as breath & as fun as whistling, so LET'S GO!  

  1. 1d ago

    This Wasn't Just a Daddy-Daughter Dance

    A tux, a princess dress, a red carpet, and a ballroom full of dads trying not to cry. That’s the surface story of the Daddy-Daughter Prom, but the real story is what happens when a father chooses to show up on purpose and speaks identity into his daughter’s life with no sarcasm, no conditions, and no half effort. We talk with Russell Kimura, one of the founders of Fathers With Daughters, about why intentional fatherhood changes the standard girls carry into every future relationship. We get specific about the “identity moment” at prom where dads tell their daughters what is true about them, then give a simple keepsake that turns those words into a lasting reminder. We also unpack why this matters so much in a world where attention is cheap, promises are fast, and too many kids grow up without a steady voice at home. If you’re a busy parent, we keep it practical. Russell shares the “press play” approach to connection, plus ideas for dads who feel awkward, disconnected, or unsure where to start: drive time chats, shared playlists, small wins, and learning to step into your daughter’s world. We also get into the bigger vision: reaching 100,000 fathers, expanding beyond Hawaii, building community through technology, and funding scholarship tickets so more families can be part of the experience. If this conversation hits home, subscribe, share it with a parent who needs hope, and leave a review so more families can find it. What’s one small way you can show up for your daughter this week? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

  2. Aug 14

    From Darkness to Faith: A Molokaʻi Transformation

    Hawaii’s spiritual history is bigger than the version most of us inherited, and it gets personal fast. We sit down with Kahu David Blevins of Imiola Church in Waimea to talk about the historic Hawaiian awakening of the 1830s, the legacy of Lorenzo Lyons, and why the gospel’s ripple can still be felt in Hawaii today. Along the way, we tackle hard themes that many people avoid: local anger toward “haole,” the missionary narrative, land, and what changes when you start listening to primary sources and Hawaiian language documentation instead of repeating slogans. Then the conversation turns into testimony. David shares how a life shaped by protest culture, heavy drinking, and years of suicidal darkness shifted when he walked into a small church and heard the gospel clearly. We talk about discipleship that actually sticks, renewing the mind, and why Christians must be able to explain not just what we believe, but why we believe it, especially when our kids face pressure in school and culture. We also go deep on Sabbath rest and the biblical feast calendar as practices that train faith and trust in God’s provision, not legalism. We close with a mind bending take on “aloha,” an “aloha hero” list, and a simple object lesson about distraction that lands like a punch. If you care about Hawaii revival history, Imiola Church, Lorenzo Lyons, or building a grounded Christian faith, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review. What belief do you most need to write your “why” for today? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

  3. Aug 7

    God Interrupted Her Retirement... Now She's Running for Office

    A sidewalk so narrow a wheelchair can’t pass. Speeding that tops the complaint list across District 43. And a community that keeps hearing “we’ll look into it” with no timeline in sight. That’s the real-world backdrop for our conversation with Sheila Madaris, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, neighborhood board member, church leader, and weekly food bank volunteer who’s running for Hawaii State House District 43 representing Kapolei and Makakilo as a Republican candidate. We get specific about quality of life issues that hit families every single day, not someday: traffic safety, crime, infrastructure, housing affordability, and how houselessness shows up on your street. Sheila shares a story that still stings, meeting a veteran who was pushed off an unusable sidewalk and nearly struck in the road because an ADA hazard has been ignored since the 1970s. For us, that moment puts a bright spotlight on one word: accountability. Then we go after the “information gap” that keeps neighbors divided and exhausted. Sheila explains her Hawaiian quilt approach to community engagement, treating each subdivision as a patch and building shared understanding through forums, newsletters, print and digital communication, and more town halls. We also talk values, including how her Christian faith shapes her positions on pro-life issues, parental rights, and youth medical decisions, and we end with a grounded definition of aloha: seeing people, choosing kindness, and refusing quick judgment. If you care about Hawaii local politics, District 43, Kapolei, Makakilo, and what real representation looks like, press play. Subscribe, share this conversation with a neighbor, and leave a review so more local voices can find it. IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

  4. Jul 31

    Open Your Refrigerator... Daniel Anthony Lt. Governor Candidate Explains Why

    If Hawaii had to live off what’s already on the islands for two weeks, would your neighborhood be ready, or would it panic? I’m talking with Daniel Anthony, a subsistence farmer, father of seven, and longtime community advocate who’s now running for lieutenant governor, and he doesn’t treat food as a “nice to have.” He calls it the real economy, the real security, and the fastest way to lower fear because when you can feed your family, you can stand up for what’s right.  We dig into how Hawaii became so dependent on imported food, including the historic shift around 1959 that helped weaken local agriculture and staples like poi. From there we connect the dots to today’s cost-of-living pressure, the local exodus, and the slow fading of everyday aloha, even down to the shaka in traffic. We also talk about identity and health through land and water: loʻi kalo, water rights, and why “healthy land, healthy people” is more than a slogan.  Then we get specific about politics and accountability, including what happens when useful bills die because of partisanship. Daniel breaks down the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) crisis, why Hawaii’s coconut genetics matter, and the serious problem of chemically treated coconut trees that aren’t clearly labeled. We also touch DHHL land, housing security, and what community healing can look like when neighbors are allowed to put down roots and grow food.  If you care about Hawaii sustainability, local agriculture, and the aloha spirit as something we live and protect, listen through to the end. Subscribe, share this with one person who loves Hawaii, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

  5. Jul 24

    God Called Her Home... Now She's Fighting for Hawaiʻi Tara Malia Gregory

    Hawaii does not feel “political” until the potholes wreck your car, the floods hit your street, or a disaster response arrives days late. We sit down with Tara Malia Gregory, a Honolulu City Council candidate, to talk about why this local seat matters so much and why she believes real authority is servanthood, not status. From East Honolulu and Hawaii Kai to Waikiki and the broader City and County of Honolulu, we get specific about what residents actually live with: roads, drainage, budgeting, preparedness, and the basic expectation that someone is accountable when things go wrong.  Tara shares her path from years on the mainland doing ministry, fitness and nutrition work, business ownership, and teaching, to a hard pivot back home after COVID-era restrictions and the devastation of Lahaina. We talk about returning to the aina, relearning Hawaiian culture with humility, and what malama kupuna looks like when it’s more than a phrase. We also go deep on faith and discernment, exploring how Polynesian Christians can honor lineage and culture without sliding into superstition, and why Tara sees aloha as God’s grace expressed through giving without expectation.  Then we move from inspiration to practical application: Kona storms, flooding, mutual aid, and why she argues the system gets rewarded for “reaction” instead of preparedness. Finally, we address election integrity concerns in Hawaii, including mail-in ballots, chain of custody, paperwork transparency, and the legal action she says is pushing for audits and accountability, plus where to register to vote and key election dates. If you care about Honolulu local government, Hawaii disaster preparedness, Lahaina wildfire recovery, or election transparency, this conversation gives you a clear place to start.  Subscribe for more Hawaii talk story that connects culture, faith, and governance, then share this episode with a neighbor and leave a review so more people can find it. What part of local government do you most want audited or fixed first? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

  6. Jul 17

    Tormenting Spirits, Family Battles & the Power of Worship

    A single sentence can haunt you for years if you don’t finish it with truth. We sit down with the DeLima family again and go straight into a topic that hits home for parents, leaders, and anyone battling anxiety or intrusive thoughts: the tormenting voices that repeat discouragement on a loop and try to pull your mind into fear, depression, and doubt. We share a powerful testimony about surviving a brain aneurysm, the shock of hearing “50-50,” and what happened after the physical healing when the mental battle kept going. We talk about half-truths that sound believable, how deception works in real life, and why learning to take thoughts captive is not a slogan but a survival skill. Along the way we connect Scripture to everyday pressure, including family conflict, pride versus humility, and what it costs to keep showing up when it would be easier to quit. Then we pivot to hope you can act on: word, worship, and prayer as a real spiritual warfare rhythm, plus updates from Kapena School of Music and a growing homeschool option that invests in kids during the day, not just after school. If you’ve felt like love and welcome is fading in Hawaii or in your own home, this conversation is a reminder that it can be carried, practiced, and taught. Subscribe for more honest faith conversations, share this with someone who needs peace today, and leave a review with the one line you’re taking with you from this talk. IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

  7. Jul 10

    Hot Sauce: The Humility Behind the Handles

    A streetball legend walks into Kalihi and doesn’t ask for a red carpet. We sit down with Philip “Hot Sauce” Champion, the face so many fans still associate with the AND1 era, and we get past the mixtape mythology to hear the true arc: daily work in the mirror, a season of trouble, and the wild moment his signature moves got him noticed even while he was locked up. He explains how quickly life can flip when you’re prepared, and why he never tried to reshape himself to fit a league mold.  From there, we go deeper than highlights. Hot Sauce talks about humility as a decision, not a personality trait, and what it means to show up for kids who come from tough neighborhoods. We connect that to Hawaii youth basketball, where travel, tournament fees, and limited island schedules make access hard, especially after COVID. Coach Momo breaks down how Team Here We Go runs like an ohana, how fundraising and nonprofit partners help cover costs, and why bringing a big name to a local camp can unite an entire basketball community.  Then the conversation turns unexpectedly personal and practical when Portia Champion joins us. She shares how podiatry “chose” her through mentorship and repeated signs, why foot and ankle care matters more than most athletes admit, and how she and Hot Sauce balance structure with spontaneity in real life. We close by naming our “aloha heroes” and honoring the family members who made the road possible.  If you care about streetball culture, AND1 history, youth mentorship, and building character alongside skill, press play, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review. What part of Hot Sauce’s story hits you the hardest? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

  8. Jul 3

    Overcoming Addiction, Prison & Houselessness—My Sister’s Keeper

    She came out of prison with no title, no money & no  plan yet still built one of the most practical, faith-forward outreach efforts in Honolulu. Triciaa Maʻae-Liupaono of My Sister’s Keeper is now under the nonprofit under the umbrella Reckless Love. It's all about addiction recovery, houseless outreach, housing life lessons & serving people who've been written off by everyone else. Tricia shares *miracles* -- like watching women break free from heroin & fentanyl to stay sober. Or a DMV driving test with no car, a prompt to ask a stranger for help & a brand new vehicle offered on the spot.  If this hits you, subscribe, share with friends who need hope, & leave a word of encouragement so more people can find these stories of real aloha. What part of Trisha’s journey do you want to hear more about? YASS YOU, SISTER'S KEEPER! IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

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Why Aloha? the whole world knows what aloha is--love in Hawai'i--but better to ask WHY ALOHA? the answer is as essential as breath & as fun as whistling, so LET'S GO!  

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