Focus Hawaii

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  Focus Hawaii Darren Duerden

  Darren Duerden

  In this episode of Focus Hawaii it features percussionist and BYU–Hawaii music professor Darren Duerden presenting a solo recital showcasing the expressive range of the steel pan, an instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago. He introduces the history of the steel drum—from its beginnings in 1930s Trinidad junkyards to its modern evolution into a fully chromatic musical instrument used worldwide—and shares how he first became captivated by the instrument in the 1980s. The performance includes several works: “Three Moods” by Brazilian composer Ney Rosauro, a three‑movement piece exploring Baroque‑inspired writing, lyrical meditation, and fast technical display; “Proverb” by renowned Trinidadian composer Ray Holman, one of the earliest solo steel‑pan pieces published in the U.S.; and Duerden’s own composition “Fantasy Variations” for double seconds, a theme‑and‑variations work developed from a short etude and now performed by steel‑pan artists across the country. The program highlights both the cultural legacy of the steel pan and its expanding repertoire in contemporary percussion performance.

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  Focus Hawaii Darwin Fisher

  Lance Chase and Darwin Fisher

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Darwin Fisher, attorney‑turned‑entrepreneur and founder and chairman of Ideal Products, Inc., who discusses his transition from a successful legal career into building a rapidly growing network marketing and distribution company. Fisher traces his background from Washington state to Brigham Young University and the University of Utah Law School, explaining how his experience in law shaped Ideal Products’ consumer‑focused business philosophy. The conversation explores the company’s unique hybrid approach that blends retail pricing with network marketing, offering both proprietary nutritional products—such as AllFoodTab, Rescue 1000, and CalTab—and major name‑brand goods. Fisher outlines his emphasis on low entry barriers for distributors, family involvement, ethical growth, and international expansion, presenting Ideal Products as an accessible opportunity for individuals seeking supplemental or full‑time business ownership while emphasizing product value, personal testimony, and long‑term sustainability.

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  Focus Hawaii Dave Porter and Willfred Navalta

  Lance Chase, Willfred "Will" Navalta, and David Porter

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features two of BYU–Hawaii’s most celebrated coaches—Dr. David Porter (tennis) and Dr. Wilfred “Will” Navalta (women’s volleyball)—whose teams have earned an extraordinary record of national championships. The interview highlights the raising of new championship banners in the Cannon Activity Center, including Navalta’s eighth national title in women’s volleyball and Porter’s first‑ever women’s tennis national championship for the university. The coaches discuss their long‑term success, the transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II competition, changes in scholarship rules, and the new level of nationwide competition they will face. They also explore BYU–Hawaii’s honor code, academic expectations, international recruiting networks, and the unique challenges and benefits of coaching athletes from Hawai‘i, the mainland, and around the world. With candid reflections on team culture, gender differences in coaching, recruiting philosophies, and student‑athlete graduation priorities, the episode offers an insightful look into the values, discipline, and global reach of BYUH athletics during its championship era.

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  Focus Hawaii David Porter

  Lance Chase and David Porter

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features BYU–Hawaii’s “wandering statesman” David Porter, who shares vivid experiences from his goodwill athletic tour through the Soviet Union as part of Athletes United for Peace. Fresh from competing in the Moscow Peace Marathon, a tennis tournament in Sochi, and other events in Leningrad, Porter recounts everything from a chaotic Aeroflot flight to meaningful one‑on‑one encounters with Soviet citizens, descriptions of somber public behavior, and the warmth he found inside families’ homes. He discusses Soviet athletic culture, black‑market trading, political attitudes toward Gorbachev’s reforms, economic hardships, restrictions on daily life, and the emotional contrast he felt between public oppression and private hospitality. Porter also displays mementos—including lacquer boxes, pins, coins, hats, T‑shirts, and a doubles championship trophy—while reflecting on how the journey reshaped his understanding of Soviet life and strengthened his gratitude for personal freedoms.

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  Focus Hawaii Debi Hartman

  Lance Chase and Debi Hartman

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Debi Hartman, a Hawaiʻi State Board of Education member who shares her unlikely path from housewife and PTA volunteer to influential education advocate. Hartman describes her childhood in California and Oklahoma, her move to Hawaiʻi, and how a simple invitation to attend a PTA convention led to district leadership, legislative testimony, and statewide representation. She explains her appointments to school advisory councils, her gubernatorial appointment to the Board of Education, and her eventual election as the Windward District member. Hartman provides insight into Hawaiʻi’s unique statewide school board election system, funding challenges, class-size concerns, and the need for shared educational goals among the Board, Legislature, and Governor. She also discusses the upcoming statewide Education Summit, community‑based school management, curriculum restructuring, and efforts to strengthen both academic and vocational pathways for Hawaiʻi’s students.

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  Focus Hawaii Denise Woodbury

  Lance Chase and Dr. Denise Woodbury

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Dr. Denise Woodbury, a BYU–Hawaii business professor whose extraordinary academic path and international experiences span economics, psychology, and global development. Woodbury recounts beginning university studies at age 15, earning a doctorate in financial economics at a young age, and later pursuing additional graduate degrees while teaching in the United States and abroad. The discussion centers on her six‑month assignment in post‑Soviet Russia, where she taught finance and economics, advised government economists, and navigated daily life amid political transition, economic instability, and organized crime. Through vivid personal stories—ranging from classroom exchanges to a harrowing encounter at a Moscow currency exchange—she offers deep insight into Russian culture, perceptions of America, the challenges of transitioning from communism to market systems, and the human realities behind global economic theory.

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  Focus Hawaii Dorothy Behling

  Lance Chase and Dorothy L. Behling

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Dorothy L. Behling, a dedicated family history researcher, who introduces viewers to the principles and personal rewards of genealogy and family research. Drawing on her own journey of discovering ancestral roots across Europe and Hawai‘i, Behling explains how genealogy transforms history into a living, personal experience, connecting individuals to generations past through stories, records, and relationships. She outlines practical methods for beginning research—focusing on interviewing elders, preserving photographs, and gathering key documents—while also demonstrating how emerging computer technology can dramatically improve organization and efficiency. Beyond techniques, Behling emphasizes the deeper emotional and spiritual impact of family history, describing how understanding one’s lineage fosters identity, belonging, and compassion for others, ultimately creating a powerful sense of connection across time and humanity. Note: this episode survives as audio only; no video recording is available.

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  Focus Hawaii Doug Nawahine

  Chad Compton and Doug Nawahine

  Hosted by Chad Compton, this 1994 episode of Focus Hawaii features Doug Nawahine, a North Shore musician whose life story blends Hawaiian heritage, mainland upbringing, family devotion, and a deep love of music. Doug reflects on being born in Honolulu, raised in San Francisco and Fremont as the youngest of ten children, and eventually returning to Laʻie at age sixteen when his parents came home to live out their final years. He shares how music shaped his entire childhood—his father played and sang freely as a gift of service, his mother and siblings contributed their talents, and Doug absorbed it all before discovering East Bay soul, blues, and funk during his teenage years. After moving back to Hawaiʻi, he performed with college friends as the “Smiling Souls,” later building a long career entertaining at hotels including the Sheraton Waikīkī and Turtle Bay Resort. He discusses the meaning and responsibility of performing Hawaiian music, the importance of learning the language, and the joy of passing cultural traditions to his children—one daughter learning ʻukulele and his son competing as a hula dancer. Charming, warm, and candid, Doug speaks about adapting to pidgin, communicating with audiences, balancing family life with late‑night performances, and remaining grounded in the values handed down by his parents. The episode includes Hawaiian renditions of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and “Silent Night,” showcasing the musical heritage he continues to preserve and share.

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  Focus Hawaii Dr. Bruce Hafen Dean of Provo Campus

  Lance Chase and Bruce C. Hafen

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Dr. Bruce C. Hafen, Dean of the Brigham Young University Law School, in a thoughtful discussion of children’s rights, family relationships, and the role of law in society. Drawing on his expertise in children’s law and family studies, Hafen examines the emerging debate over a so‑called “children’s liberation” movement, distinguishing between rights that protect and nurture children—such as education, safety, and parental care—and those that might prematurely extend adult freedoms without adequate preparation. He explores the balance between parental authority and legal intervention, emphasizing that stable family relationships, discipline, and moral responsibility are essential to the development of children and the health of society. Addressing issues such as age‑based legal limits, child protection, education, and the risks of excessive reliance on litigation, Hafen argues for a common‑sense approach that upholds both the rights and responsibilities necessary to prepare young people for mature citizenship. Note: The video is shaky.

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  Focus Hawaii Dr. Edward A. Jensen and Dr. Gary Smith

  Lance Chase, Edward Jensen, and Gary Smith

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Dr. Edward Jensen, professor of instructional design, and Dr. Gary Smith, professor of hospitality management, as they discuss their backgrounds, their collaboration on faculty development, and their work documenting Total Quality Management (TQM) practices at the Ritz‑Carlton on Maui. They explain the origins and principles of TQM—emphasizing customer focus, employee empowerment, teamwork, and continuous improvement—and describe how these practices translate across business, education, and everyday life. Through anecdotes from their visit to the Ritz‑Carlton, they highlight examples such as employee autonomy, the “Credo Card,” creative problem‑solving, and even the hotel’s on‑site herb garden, illustrating how TQM fosters quality and motivation. They also reflect on applying TQM concepts in the classroom, the shift from “sage on the stage” to “guide on the side,” and the importance of reducing fear of failure in learning environments. The episode provides an accessible introduction to quality management philosophy, though the video is somewhat blurry and several audio segments fade in and out, making parts of the discussion harder to follow.

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  Focus Hawaii Dr. Marc Shlachter Bike Trip across Vietnam

  Lance Chase and Marc Shlachter

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this 1995 episode of Focus Hawaii features Dr. Marc Shlachter, a family physician and seasoned traveler, who recounts his extraordinary 1,100‑mile bicycle journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Over three weeks, he and a group of 35 cyclists rode along Vietnam’s Highway 1, navigating rough roads, intense heat, monsoon rains, steep mountain climbs, dehydration, blisters, and countless flat tires. Dr. Shlachter shares humorous and heartfelt stories—from the challenges of training, saddle sores, and hydration mishaps to unexpected kindnesses from Vietnamese families, who offered repairs, fruit, baths, and hospitality without expecting anything in return. He describes cultural highlights, including Hanoi’s traditional water‑puppet theater, remnants of the “Hanoi Hilton,” and Saigon’s bustling nightlife, as well as emotional encounters among veterans in the group revisiting sites from the war. The discussion explores Vietnam’s friendliness, its rapid growth after the lifting of the U.S. embargo, the contrasts between northern and southern cities, and the lingering complexity of war memory. Combining adventure, cultural insight, and personal reflection, the episode offers a vivid window into Vietnam in the mid‑1990s through the eyes of an American doctor pedaling across the country.

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  Focus Hawaii Duke Hamilton and Dale Robertson

  Lance Chase, Dale Robertson, and R.G. "Duke" Hamilton

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Dr. Dale Robertson, associate professor of political science at BYU–Hawai‘i, and R.G. “Duke” Hamilton, a retired U.S. Marine and student, in an in‑depth discussion of the U.S. bombing of Libya in 1986 and the broader issue of international terrorism. Drawing on academic analysis and military perspective, the guests explore competing definitions of terrorism, the political and moral implications of U.S. military action, and the likelihood that such actions could either deter or escalate further violence. The conversation also examines Middle Eastern responses, the role of Libya’s leader Muammar Qaddafi, and the strategic considerations involving Soviet influence and global power dynamics during the Cold War era. Presenting differing viewpoints, the episode highlights the complexity of foreign policy decisions and the difficulty of addressing terrorism on both political and ethical grounds. Note: the recording is incomplete; both video and audio are cut off after approximately the first ten minutes.

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  Focus Hawaii Dwight Miller

  Lance Chase and Dwight Miller

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Dr. Dwight Miller, Associate Director of the Center for Academic Excellence at Brigham Young University–Hawai‘i, who discusses the rapidly evolving field of distance learning and its implications for higher education. Drawing on his background as an educator, Vietnam veteran, photographer, and specialist in post‑secondary education and human resource development, Miller explains his recent work in Provo developing Internet‑based courses designed for multi‑campus use across the BYU system. Using photography instruction as a case study, he explores the challenges of teaching visually and subjectively driven disciplines through online platforms, emphasizing the importance of instructor–student interaction, timely feedback, and community‑based learning models. The conversation examines broader trends in non‑traditional education, accreditation standards, technological change, and the shifting role of faculty from lecturers to facilitators, offering insight into how emerging technologies can expand access to quality education while preserving academic rigor.

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  Focus Hawaii Eagle Li

  Lance Chase and Eagle Li

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii introduces Eagle Li, a Hong Kong–born BYU–Hawaii student and emerging playwright whose passion for drama, service, and cultural expression has shaped his creative journey. Li discusses his background, his mission experience, and the origins of his English name before describing how his love of TV, storytelling, and church activities drew him into writing plays that blend dialogue with dance, kung fu, choral music, and Chinese poetry. He shares the development of his works The Chinese Heart and its sequel, explaining how they highlight Chinese immigrant experiences, moral values, and themes of commitment, repentance, and service. Li also describes the demanding production process, his roles as writer, director, and actor, and the collaborative effort of more than 70 students involved. He further explains his desire to uplift audiences, support the gospel, and use performance to raise funds for flood relief in mainland China.

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  Focus Hawaii Elder Reed C. Durham

  Lance Chase and Elder Reed C. Durham

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Elder Reed C. Durham, a distinguished educator and scholar with more than four decades of service in the Church Educational System, who was serving as a teaching missionary at BYU–Hawaii at the time of the interview. Elder Durham reflects on his 43‑year teaching career spanning seminaries, institutes, university classrooms, and international study programs, including his role in founding BYU’s Semester at Nauvoo program and his extensive teaching and travel experiences in the Holy Land, Europe, and the Mediterranean world. He discusses his academic background in theology and biblical studies, authorship of influential books and manuals—including work on Joseph Smith’s Bible translation and church succession—and his philosophy of teaching rooted in faith, scholarship, and student engagement. The conversation highlights the unique spiritual and cultural richness of BYU–Hawaii’s diverse student body and Elder Durham’s enduring commitment to teaching, learning, and service well into retirement.

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  Focus Hawaii Elder Searle Church Service Missionary

  Lance Chase and Paul R. Searle

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Elder Paul R. Searle, a Church Service Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints serving at Brigham Young University–Hawai‘i. Elder Searle reflects on a lifelong career in the Church Educational System, including decades of service as a seminary and institute instructor across Utah, California, Oregon, and St. George, Utah. He discusses the purpose and philosophy of the LDS seminary and institute programs, emphasizing their role in providing a spiritual counterpart to secular education and fostering strong social and value‑based communities for students. The conversation traces his educational background in history, music, and counseling, his long tenure teaching and leading choirs, and his current work teaching religion courses as a missionary alongside his wife. Through thoughtful reflection, the episode highlights themes of service, education, faith, and lifelong commitment to teaching and mentoring young adults.

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  Focus Hawaii Elder Talmage W. Nielsen

  Lance Chase, Elder Nielsen, and Sister Nielsen

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Elder and Sister Nielsen, the directors of the Hawaii Temple Visitors’ Center in Laie, who share their remarkable personal histories and wide‑ranging missionary service across the world. Elder Nielsen, a retired surgeon, and Sister Nielsen, an educator with deep cultural and spiritual roots in Utah, reflect on their upbringing, family life, and multiple missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, including humanitarian, medical, and administrative service in South America, Europe, and Eastern Europe following the fall of communism. They describe their current mission at the Temple Visitors’ Center, where they welcome visitors from dozens of countries, share messages of faith in Jesus Christ, and help build bridges of cultural understanding, particularly with visitors from Asia. Through stories of medical service, humanitarian aid, and daily interactions with guests, the Nielsens illustrate how global experience, compassion, and faith come together in their work at one of Hawai‘i’s most visited spiritual and cultural destinations.

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  Focus Hawaii Elder William C. Cogdell

  Lance Chase and William C. Cogdell

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Elder William C. Cogdell, a senior Latter-day Saint missionary from Lenoir, North Carolina, whose life story intertwines faith, education, and a lifetime love of music. Elder Cogdell shares his journey from his early years in rural North Carolina—where he developed musical talent under the guidance of his mother—to earning a degree in instrumental and vocal music, teaching for 32 years, and operating a chain of music stores. He describes his uncommon missionary assignment at BYU–Hawaii, where he directed choirs, taught voice classes, worked with university ensembles, and served alongside his wife, who contributed through sewing for university productions. The conversation highlights his work as a piano tuner, his experiences with blind craftsmen who influenced his training, reflections on Hawaiian musical culture, and his continued passion for choral work—both in Hawai‘i and in his longtime community men’s chorus in North Carolina. With warmth and humility, Elder Cogdell reflects on his service, his enduring dedication to music, and his plans upon returning home after completing his mission.

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  Focus Hawaii Elijah Solists The Robinsons

  Lance Chase, Clayne Robinson, and Vivien Robinson

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features acclaimed vocalists Clayne and Vivien Robinson, visiting Hawai‘i as featured soloists for Mendelssohn’s Elijah oratorio. The husband‑and‑wife performers share their personal journeys in music, faith, and family life, tracing Clayne’s path from Harvard law school to a doctorate in music and leadership in opera education, and Vivien’s decision to balance her exceptional vocal talent with a deep commitment to raising their six children. Through thoughtful conversation, they explore themes of artistic balance, the role of fine arts in education, classical versus popular vocal traditions, and the importance of exposing young people to creative expression. Their reflections underscore the value of music not only as performance, but as a lifelong, enriching experience deeply connected to personal growth, family priorities, and community involvement.

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  Focus Hawaii Elizabeth Kammerer, 1997 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year

  Lance Chase and Beth Kammerer

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Beth Kammerer, the 1996–1997 Hawai‘i State Teacher of the Year and choral director at Kahuku High School, who shares her journey as an educator and her passion for music education. Originally from New Jersey, Kammerer discusses her influential early music teachers, her training as a music and education major, and her move to Hawai‘i, where she built an award‑winning choir program serving both intermediate and high school students. Through performances by Kahuku’s choirs—including Vocal Motion and selections ranging from contemporary music to My Fair Lady—the episode highlights the exceptional musicality of Hawai‘i’s students and the cultural richness of the North Shore community. Kammerer reflects on her philosophy of teaching, the honor of being named Teacher of the Year, and broader issues in education such as teacher preparation, professional accountability, and valuing children as Hawai‘i’s most important resource.

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  Focus Hawaii Family History Center

  Lance Chase, Bill Neal, and Diana Neal

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii visits the Family History Center in Laie, located near the LDS Hawaii Temple, and features Bill and Dianna Neal, who serve as the director and assistant director of the center. They explain what family history work is, why people feel drawn to discovering their roots, and how anyone—regardless of church membership—can use the free services offered. The Neals walk through the five steps of beginning family history research, discuss the center’s resources such as Hawaiian and Polynesian records, U.S. and international reference books, microfilm services, and computer databases connected to the Salt Lake Family History Library. They also describe volunteer support, senior missionary helpers, increasing public interest, plans for major expansion of the center, and touching experiences patrons have had while discovering ancestors. The conversation highlights both the practical and deeply personal aspects of genealogy and the spiritual significance it holds for many who participate.

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  Focus Hawaii Garth Allred

  Lance Chase and Garth Allred

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Dr. Garth Allred, Associate Dean of the Division of Religious Instruction and Chair of the Department of Religion at Brigham Young University–Hawai‘i, who shares insights from his academic career and extensive experience teaching and living in the Middle East. Dr. Allred discusses his background in psychology and marriage and family therapy, his role in religious education, and his repeated service as a faculty member and director at the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center. The conversation explores the Center’s mission of non‑political, non‑proselytizing academic study, the immersive educational experience of teaching scripture and history on location in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt, and the value of exposing students to multiple cultural and religious perspectives. Drawing on firsthand experience, Dr. Allred reflects thoughtfully on Israeli‑Palestinian relations, the challenges of achieving lasting peace, and the spiritual and educational significance of studying biblical history in its original geographic and cultural context.

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  Focus Hawaii George Auflick Department of Justice Investigator on Drugs

  Lance Chase and George Auflick

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features George Auflick, a Drug Enforcement Administration investigator with the U.S. Department of Justice, in an in‑depth discussion of drug trafficking, law enforcement, and substance abuse issues in Hawai‘i and the mainland United States. Drawing on his experience overseeing an airport task force and conducting undercover operations, Auflick explains how drugs such as marijuana and cocaine are transported into Hawai‘i, outlines current trends in drug use, and describes the dangers associated with both substances—including psychological, physical, and social consequences. He emphasizes the growing role of education in reducing drug use among young people, while also addressing the risks faced by law enforcement officers and the increasing sophistication of drug distribution methods. The conversation highlights emerging threats such as crack cocaine, the impact of drug culture and media portrayal, and the importance of personal responsibility and awareness, particularly among youth, in combating drug abuse and its effects on individuals, families, and communities. Note: this episode survives as audio only; no video recording is available.

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  Focus Hawaii Graham Family

  Lance Chase, Craig Graham, Marline Graham, Courtney Graham, and Collier Graham

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features the Graham Family—Craig, Marline, Courtney, and young Collier—who are undertaking a remarkable year‑long journey to visit all 50 U.S. states as a family. Formerly based in Wichita, Kansas, the Grahams share the inspiration behind leaving careers, school, and routine life to travel together across the country in a customized van, combining homeschooling, geography, American history, and real‑world experience. The conversation explores their planning, financial risks, use of early internet technology and a public website to document the journey, and the deep personal growth that has come from meeting people, visiting capitals and landmarks, and living communally on the road. Highlighting themes of family bonding, experiential education, curiosity, and American diversity, the episode presents an uplifting portrait of learning beyond classrooms and the enduring value of shared adventure.

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  Focus Hawaii Grant E. Barton Zone Manager for LDS & CES

  Lance Chase and Grant E. Barton

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Grant E. Barton, Zone Manager for Public Communications for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints and an educator, businessman, and media specialist, in a wide‑ranging discussion of church communication, education, and community outreach in Hawai‘i. Drawing on his background in educational communications, business, and leadership—including service as a mission president—Barton reflects on the role of media relations, missionary work, and public understanding of the Church. He discusses efforts to strengthen connections between BYU–Hawai‘i, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and local communities, as well as initiatives to highlight educational opportunities and promote shared values such as family unity, morality, and service. The episode also explores programs like Family Home Evening and the Church’s broader goal of fostering strong families and cultural understanding, while emphasizing Hawai‘i’s unique diversity and its role as a place where different cultures live and cooperate harmoniously. Note: this episode survives as audio only; no video recording is available.