Pilina Podcast

Tiera Knight & Shanztyn Nihipali

Pilina is a Hawai‘i-based podcast dedicated to celebrating the deep and meaningful connections that define who we are — to our culture, our ʻohana, and our communities. Through rich, heart-centered conversations with local voices, Pilina shares stories that inspire, educate, and uplift.The word pilina speaks to the bonds that tie us together. Whether generational, cultural, or communal, these connections are at the core of every episode.This podcast exists to document and preserve Hawai‘i’s living narratives while offering a space to reflect on the values that guide us: aloha, kuleana, kulana, and moʻokūʻauhau.  A huge Mahalo to our Sponsors Power for the People & Aloha Mortuary! Without their support this would not be possible!

Episodes

  1. SEP 30

    Ka'ena Kekoa Life On-stage & Representing Hawai'i | Pilina Podcast Ep. 07

    Pilina Podcast Episode 7: We’re honored to sit down with Kaʻenaonalaniowaianuhea Kekoa — a powerhouse in theatre, an inspiring educator, and a proud Native Hawaiian woman carrying her roots to stages around the world. 🌺🎭 Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Kaʻena has graced stages from local productions to her professional debut as Princess Jasmine in the North American tour of Aladdin. Whether on stage or in the classroom, she brings soulful performances, unwavering dedication, and a deep commitment to uplifting the next generation of artists and storytellers. In this episode, Kaʻena opens up about:  ✨ Growing up in a family of singers and finding her voice.  ✨ Her journey from Hawaiʻi stages to international performances.  ✨ Life as a theatre performer on tour and at sea.  ✨ Teaching as another kind of stage — and the lessons it revealed.  ✨ How she stays grounded in her roots while performing away from home.  ✨ Her hopes for young performers from Hawaiʻi who dream of following a similar path. Her story is a beautiful reminder of how powerful it is to carry your culture and community with you, no matter how far you go. 🌺 Don’t miss this heartfelt conversation with Kaʻena Kekoa — an artist, educator, and storyteller redefining what it means to live with pilina. Follow us on Instagram:  📲 @pilinapodcast  📲 @alohamortuary Mahalo for listening! Be sure to like, comment, share, and subscribe to help us grow this space of connection and community. 🔔 Send us a text Support the show

    49 min
  2. SEP 8

    Bekah Lagafuaina talks story about life, faith, and leadership | Pilina Podcast Ep. 06

    Join us as we sit down with Bekah Lagafuaina, Young Adults Director at Inspire Church, to talk story about faith, leadership, and guiding Hawai‘i’s next generation. From her comeback story to Jesus to building a Christ-centered marriage with her husband Elijah, Bekah shares her heart for people and purpose in ministry. 🌺✝️ Aloha mai kākou, and welcome back to the Pilina Podcast — where connection is everything. 🌺 In Episode 6, we’re excited to introduce a very special guest — Bekah Lagafuaina, Young Adults Director at Inspire Church, who leads alongside her husband Elijah. Together, they’ve created a powerful space where young adults can grow in faith, find belonging, and step into who God has called them to be. Bekah’s leadership is deeply rooted in her love for Christ and her commitment to raising up the next generation. She also co-hosts a podcast with her mom, Lisa Kai, modeling how faith and family can come together to impact lives. In this heartfelt conversation, Bekah opens up about her personal journey of faith, her comeback story to Jesus, the importance of a Christ-centered relationship, and the hopes she carries for Hawai‘i’s youth. 🌊✝️ ✨ Don’t miss this inspiring episode of the Pilina Podcast — a space where stories, culture, and faith connect us all. Follow Bekah on Instagram: 📲 @bkaiii Follow us on Instagram: 📲 @pilinapodcast 📲 @alohamortuary 📲 @p4phawaii Mahalo for watching! Be sure to like, comment, share, and subscribe to support stories that uplift our community. 🔔 Send us a text Support the show

    1h 12m
  3. AUG 11

    Pilina Podcast | Ep. 04 — Leonani Puailihau: Leading with Culture, Connection & Strategy

    Aloha mai kākou, and welcome back to the Pilina Podcast — where connection is everything: to our stories, our culture, and the voices that shape them. We’re your hosts, Tiera and Shanztyn. In this episode, we sit down with Leonani Puailihau — a wahine whose journey bridges community, culture, and strategy. From building ʻāina-based education programs to leading government and community relations for Turo, Leonani’s work reflects deep pilina to both people and place. She’s also the founder of OLAOILS, blending wellness and Hawaiian values into an entrepreneurial path that empowers others. Whether she’s in the classroom, at the Capitol, or in community, Leonani leads with clarity, compassion, and cultural integrity. We talk story about: How pilina (connection) shapes her life and leadershipNavigating multiple roles — educator, entrepreneur, policy liaison, and community strategistThe mission behind OLAOILS and wellness through a Native Hawaiian lensLessons learned from planning large-scale community events and listening to the lāhuiWhy ʻāina-based education is vital for our keikiStrategies for navigating tough conversations and pushbackAdvice for wāhine leaders across multiple sectorsHer vision for the next 5–10 years in business, community, and educationThe legacy of aloha she hopes to leave for future generationsPlus, we wrap up with a rapid-fire round of “What’s the Scoop?” for some fun, personal insights. Mahalo nui loa to Leonani for sharing her mana‘o, her journey, and her unwavering dedication to uplifting our communities through culture, leadership, and pilina. Her story is a powerful reminder that connection is more than a value — it’s a practice. If this episode inspired you, please share it forward. That’s how we grow pilina — by lifting each other up. Follow Leonani Puailihau: @olaoilss Send us a text Support the show

    36 min
  4. JUL 29

    Kana'i & Brooks of Kana’i’s Junk Removal: Building Community Through Service & Aloha | Pilina Podcast Ep. 03

    Aloha mai kākou, and welcome back to the Pilina Podcast — where we share the stories of local leaders, creators, and changemakers strengthening our communities one relationship at a time.  In this episode, we sit down with a powerhouse couple, Kana’i Picanco and his partner Brooks, who have built Kana’i’s Junk Removal from the ground up. Their growing business is rooted in hard work, strong values, and a deep commitment to serving the community with aloha. Whether clearing out old furniture, helping families through life transitions, or cleaning up after tough times, Kana’i and Brooks bring heart and integrity to every job. What You’ll Hear: Their personal backgrounds and how they met The inspiration and early days of their business journey How they divide roles and work as a team The mission behind Kana’i’s Junk Removal and what makes it unique Lessons learned building a business from scratch Keeping their relationship strong while balancing work and life Meaningful moments that remind them why they do this work Future plans, including possible expansion to outer islands Advice for anyone thinking about starting their own business Our fun rapid-fire segment ‘What’s the Scoops?’ with questions about local life and favorites And their heartfelt vision for the legacy of aloha they hope to leave in the world Mahalo nui loa to Kana’i and Brooks for sharing their story, their heart, and their vision with us today. If this episode inspired you, please share it with someone who could use a boost — that’s how we grow community, by lifting each other up. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to Pilina Podcast for more stories that connect and empower our island communities. If this episode moved you, please like, comment, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Mahalo to our sponsors, Power for the People & Aloha Mortuary!  Follow @KanaisJunkRemoval on Instagram!  🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @pilinapodcast Send us a text Support the show

    50 min
  5. JUL 14

    Skyler Kamaka on Life & The Runway, Staying Grounded, and Leading with Aloha | Pilina Podcast Ep. 02

    Aloha mai kākou — and welcome back to the Pilina Podcast, where connection is everything. In this powerful and heartfelt episode, we sit down with Skyler Kamaka — former Miss Hawai‘i 2012, commercial pilot for Hawaiian Airlines, and an embodiment of modern Hawaiian wāhine strength. From the crown to the cockpit, Skyler’s story is a testament to kuleana, resilience, and dreaming boldly. We talk story about growing up in Hawai‘i, the values that shaped her, representing our islands on national stages, and her journey to becoming one of the few Native Hawaiian women in aviation today. 🔥 In this episode: The discipline, spirit, and grounding it takes to prepare for both hula and flight Navigating cultural identity, legacy, and modern womanhood And a few laughs with our rapid-fire “What’s the Scoops?” segment 🌺✈️👑 Skyler is more than a pilot — she’s a cultural carrier, a leader, and a source of inspiration to wāhine everywhere. If this episode moved you, please like, comment, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. A huge Mahalo to our presenting sponsors Power for the People & Aloha Mortuary! Their support helps us bring the stories of Hawai'i to you!  🔔 Subscribe to the Pilina Podcast on YouTube: @pilinapodcast 🎙️ Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and more 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @pilinapodcast Send us a text Support the show

    1h 1m

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Pilina is a Hawai‘i-based podcast dedicated to celebrating the deep and meaningful connections that define who we are — to our culture, our ʻohana, and our communities. Through rich, heart-centered conversations with local voices, Pilina shares stories that inspire, educate, and uplift.The word pilina speaks to the bonds that tie us together. Whether generational, cultural, or communal, these connections are at the core of every episode.This podcast exists to document and preserve Hawai‘i’s living narratives while offering a space to reflect on the values that guide us: aloha, kuleana, kulana, and moʻokūʻauhau.  A huge Mahalo to our Sponsors Power for the People & Aloha Mortuary! Without their support this would not be possible!