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. 5d ago

    Why My Vote Counts...Double! | Sheila Medeiros Republican Candidate, HD 43

    A tied election is rare. A tied election decided by drawing lots in a lauhala box is even rarer. But the real twist comes after that: District 43’s result gets overturned in court, and now voters in Makakilo and Kapolei are heading into a court-ordered revote that could reshape how Hawaii handles razor-thin races going forward. We sit down with Sheila Medeiros, candidate for Hawaii House District 43, to unpack what happened, why two voters receiving the wrong ballots triggered a zero-margin crisis, and why the remedy matters just as much as the mistake. We get specific about the difference between a primary election and a general election ballot, the risk of crossover voting deciding a party nominee, and what it means when election officials say a rule can’t truly be enforced. If you care about election integrity, transparent governance, and how legal precedents can ripple across every political party in Hawaii, this conversation lays it out in plain language. Then we switch gears to who Sheila is beyond the headlines: a retired Army lieutenant colonel with deep local ties, a focus on service over titles, and a platform centered on cost of living, crime, judicial reform, government accountability, and practical resilience through energy security, water security, and food security. We close with a grounded take on aloha as agape love, and what it looks like to hold that line when politics gets ugly. Subscribe for more Hawaii-focused conversations, share this with a neighbor in West Oahu, and leave a review to help more listeners find the show. What do you think is the fairest remedy when an election is tied and ballots are wrong? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

  2. Sep 25

    Choose Who You Ride With & Watch the Miracles: Tricia Ma’ae Liupaono

    A small cross on a restaurant wall shouldn’t feel like a turning point, but sometimes the smallest moment lands with the most weight. We sit down with Tricia Ma’ae Liupaono, CEO and founder of My Sister’s Keeper Ministries and Reckless Love, and talk about what it means to be seen by God when life feels like a full-on spiritual storm. The conversation is candid, funny, and direct, and it keeps coming back to one core truth: we don’t get through spiritual warfare with vibes, we get through it with a sharpened sword and steady obedience. Tricia shares what happened during Hawaii’s Kona storm when most people were trying to get out, and her team drove in with food, water, and whatever they could carry. We unpack real disaster relief and community outreach lessons: how needs spread fast when power and water are compromised, how mutual aid can move quicker than official response, and how provision can multiply through everyday people who decide to show up. If you care about faith in action, nonprofit leadership, and serving vulnerable neighbors, this story is a masterclass in courage under pressure. We also go deep on discernment in the last days: how deception can look like truth, why Bible reading and prayer can’t be outsourced, and how “good opportunities” can still be compromise. Tricia explains why forming a 501(c)(3) board and building accountability isn’t just paperwork, it’s protection for the mission. If you’re tired, tempted to quit, or wondering who you can really trust in ministry, this conversation will help you reset your footing. Subscribe for more honest faith conversations, share this with someone who needs strength today, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. What part hit you the hardest? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

  3. Sep 18

    Breaking Hawai'i Pipeline To Child Sex Trafficking

    A child trafficked for a cheeseburger?! Once you hear it, you can’t unhear it & you start seeing why prevention has to be specific, honest & urgent. We’re joined by Tammy Bitanga, Director of Community Engagement at Ho’ola Na Pua, a Hawaii nonprofit working to prevent child sex trafficking and care for youth who’ve been exploited. Tammy breaks down the real legal definition: when anything of value is exchanged for a commercial sex act with anyone under 18, that child is a victim of sex trafficking. No loopholes, no “they chose it,” no confusion about consent. Tammy also shares her personal story with courage and clarity: early childhood sexual abuse, foster care, grooming, and being “turned out” as a teen, followed by the long road of sobriety, faith, and rebuilding a life. We talk about why trauma changes the brain, how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) shape survival behaviors, and what actually helps kids stay safer: one trusted adult, meaningful activities, and a community that refuses to shame them into silence. You’ll also hear what Ho’ola Na Pua does across Oahu and the neighbor islands, including prevention education in schools and the healing environment of Pearl Haven. If you’re a parent, educator, coach, auntie, uncle, or simply someone who wants to protect kids, this conversation gives you language, insight, and next steps. Subscribe for more, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find these stories and this work. IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

  4. Sep 11

    Champ Church & Dawn Show!

    A simple family favor turns into a wild twist: Champ Kaneshiro gets ordained so he can officiate a wedding in Hawaii, and the paperwork starts showing up with a new title, “Pastor.” That’s where the real conversation begins. We talk about what it means to treat marriage like a covenant, why taking responsibility seriously matters, and how a “wedding performer” can still carry a message of faith without pretending to be perfect. If you’ve ever searched for how to become a wedding officiant in Hawaii or wondered what a meaningful ceremony looks like, you’ll pick up practical ideas you can actually use. Then the tone drops deeper. We share the story of “Suicide Sunday,” childhood pain, and the moment faith stepped in when life felt finished. We wrestle with grief, the Christian view of suicide, and why quick judgments can crush families who are already carrying loss. The through line is grace and the uncomfortable truth that none of us knows what happens in the final seconds of a person’s life, but we can choose compassion now. We also keep it local and real: comedy as a way to connect, Polynesian culture, what to do with haters, and relationship advice that cuts straight to the point. Champ breaks down why affection matters, how a simple “please forgive me” can reset a home, and why imagination is not childish but powerful. If you like Hawaii podcasts with heart, humor, and faith that doesn’t hide from hard topics, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review with the takeaway that hit you most. IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

  5. Sep 4

    He Makes Everyone Laugh. But His Story Goes Much Deeper

    He can make a TSA line laugh in ten seconds, then turn around and say something that hits your heart. We’re joined by longtime Hawaii MC, TV host, and fitness trainer Champ Kaneshiro, and we talk story about the real source of his energy: gratitude, faith, and an intentional choice to bring aloha into every room he walks into. Along the way, Champ shares how his dad shaped his outlook, why joy is not fake positivity, and what it means to stay grounded when the world feels heavy.  We go deep on relationships and the difference one sentence can make. “Sorry” is easy. “Will you forgive me?” restores power, respect, and peace. Champ opens up about marriage, temptation in the entertainment world, and the pain of divorce, including the kind of thoughts people rarely admit out loud. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, discouraged, or stuck, this conversation offers hope without pretending life is simple.  Then we get practical. Champ breaks down why daily movement matters as you age, why resistance training builds muscle that burns body fat, and why cutting sugar can be a game-changer for heart health and long-term energy. We also talk about wake-up calls that force you to take your health seriously, plus a definition of aloha that goes beyond being “nice” and becomes kindness on purpose.  If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs a lift, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. What does aloha look like in your life right now? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

  6. Aug 28

    He Lost Everything. Then God Gave Him His Life Back

    He was a football standout. Then he lost his way, lost his identity, and ended up homeless, addicted, and ready to give up on life. Kuhio Thomas now leads Adult and Teen Challenge as a director, and he joins us with his wife Rachel for a raw, hope-forward conversation about what actually breaks addiction for good. We talk about why addiction is often the visible “fruit,” while the real work is getting to the root: trauma, rejection, shame, and generational patterns that repeat until someone decides to become a cycle breaker. Kuhio shares the turning point that brought him to surrender, how accountability and service keep him grounded, and why identity and purpose are not motivational slogans but recovery essentials. Rachel shares her own path through insecurity, unhealthy coping, and a painful first marriage, and how faith reshaped her future. We also get practical. We explain what Adult and Teen Challenge offers as a Christian discipleship program with a one-year structure, counseling support, a curriculum that addresses anger and life-controlling issues, and vocational skills that help people rebuild stability. If you’re a family member trying to love someone without enabling them, we talk about boundaries, prayer, and keeping hope within reach. If this conversation helps you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find real recovery stories. IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

  7. Aug 21

    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

  8. 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

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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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