Focus Hawaii

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  Focus Hawaii Sculpture by Viliami Tolutau

  Lance Chase and Viliami Tolutau

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Viliami Tolutau, associate professor of art at Brigham Young University–Hawai‘i and an accomplished Tongan‑born sculptor, who offers an in‑depth look at the creative, technical, and spiritual dimensions of large‑scale bronze sculpture. Tolutau recounts his journey from growing up in Tonga to studying art at BYU–Hawai‘i and completing graduate work at BYU–Provo before returning to teach and create in the Pacific. The episode centers on his commission to design and produce a monumental sculpture depicting George Q. Cannon and Ionatana Napela, honoring early LDS missionaries in the Pacific and unveiled during the 1997 Pioneers in the Pacific conference. Through detailed discussion of the lost‑wax bronze casting process, viewers gain rare insight into the labor‑intensive stages of sculpting, mold making, and foundry casting, as well as Tolutau’s philosophy of celebration, proclamation, and cultural legacy embodied in public art.

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  Focus Hawaii Seiko Shiroma & Junior Primacio

  Lance Chase, Seiko Shiroma, and Junior Primacio

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Seiko “Shirley” Shiroma and Junior Primacio, two longtime Kahuku residents who reflect on the history, daily life, and cultural fabric of the Kahuku Sugar Plantation. Shiroma recalls his childhood, his father’s move to Kahuku in the 1930s, his years as a union administrator, and vivid memories of plantation life—from the roar of the mill and the iconic morning whistle to the tight‑knit community that emerged around shared labor, free housing, and mutual support. Primacio, a third‑generation plantation worker, recounts his family’s immigration from the Philippines, his decades of field and mill work, the rise of unionization, the 1946 strike, and the birth of Hawai‘i’s Pidgin language as diverse workers learned to communicate. Together, they describe the social, economic, and cultural shifts that followed the mill’s 1971 closure—including changing demographics, town planning efforts, community housing initiatives, and the eventual decline of sugar as an industry—while preserving the nostalgia, solidarity, and identity that defined plantation life in Kahuku.

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  Focus Hawaii Service Project for Kahana Valley

  Brigham Young University-Hawaii

  This episode documents a large‑scale community service project at Kahana Valley, where more than 700 students from Brigham Young University–Hawaii joined local residents to restore culturally significant sites. Participants work on clearing invasive vegetation, repairing rock walls around the historic Waialua fishpond, tending graves at the old Mormon chapel, and helping revitalize taro patches within the valley. Community leader Ron Johnson, a fifth‑generation descendant of the Nuhi family, explains the valley’s interpretive program, which uses kalo (taro) and the loʻi as a hands‑on classroom to teach traditional Hawaiian values, sustainability practices, and ahupuaʻa‑based resource management. Students share their experiences of service, culture learning, teamwork, and connection to the land, while organizers describe long‑term goals such as restoring taro fields, reestablishing a working fishpond, and revitalizing historic and cultural sites throughout the valley.

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  Focus Hawaii Sid Pershing

  Lance Chase and Sid Pershing

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Dr. Sid Pershing, Chief of Staff at Kahuku Hospital, who shares his journey from medical training in California and medical missions in Samoa and the Marshall Islands to his current work on Oahu’s North Shore. He discusses the unique challenges of operating a small, community‑owned rural hospital—including financial pressures, limited resources, and a large indigent population—while highlighting the facility’s accredited services, dedicated staff, and partnerships with larger Honolulu hospitals for specialized care. The conversation also explores Dr. Pershing’s involvement in emergency medicine, medevac cases, community fundraising efforts, and his unexpected passion for polo, culminating in an upcoming benefit match to support Kahuku Hospital.

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  Focus Hawaii Special Cy Bridges

  Lance Chase and Cy Bridges

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Cy Bridges, Vice President for Cultural Presentation at the Polynesian Cultural Center and a respected kumu hula, in a fascinating exploration of Hawaiian origins, genealogy, and cultural tradition. Drawing on oral histories, ancestral genealogies, chants, and comparative cultural evidence, Bridges discusses the complex question of where the Hawaiian people originated, presenting the view that Hawaiians are likely a multicultural people shaped by migrations from several regions, including Southeast Asia and possibly the Americas. He reflects on traditional Hawaiian genealogies that link ancestral figures to ancient flood narratives, temple rituals, and migration patterns, and explores parallels between Polynesian traditions and Latter‑day Saint teachings about Hagoth and the Lamanites. The conversation highlights the importance of oral tradition, chant, and hula as vehicles of historical memory, emphasizing how cultural knowledge has been preserved across generations and continues to inform identity, belief, and community understanding among Native Hawaiians. Note: this episode survives as audio only; no video recording is available.

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  Focus Hawaii Special Olympics 1996

  Lance Chase, Nina Bogetto, and Mamie Lamley

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this 1996 episode of Focus Hawaii highlights the extraordinary work of the Special Olympics Hawaiʻi program through an in‑depth conversation with Nina Bogetto, Area Director for the Windward region, and Mamie Lamley, Director of Outreach with over 23 years of service. Together they explain the mission of Special Olympics, which provides year‑round athletic training and competitions for athletes with intellectual disabilities across the Hawaiian islands. The discussion explores the wide range of sports offered—from bowling, aquatics, soccer, track and field, bocce, and powerlifting to unified sports that pair Special Olympians with peer partners. The guests emphasize the program’s focus on building social skills, confidence, health, community inclusion, and opportunities for international competition. They share inspiring stories of athletes ranging from age eight to eighty, including participants who moved from wheelchairs to running events, high‑school athletes competing alongside their peers, and Hawai‘i teams that represented the state at the World Games in Connecticut. The episode also gives viewers a behind‑the‑scenes look at the Winter Classic basketball tournament held at Hickam Air Force Base and highlights the dedication of families, volunteers, and local communities who make the program possible.

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  Focus Hawaii Stephen R. Covey

  Lance Chase and Stephen R. Covey

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Dr. Stephen R. Covey, internationally renowned author, educator, and leadership philosopher, best known for The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Speaking candidly about his personal journey, Covey reflects on his upbringing in Utah, academic career at Brigham Young University, missionary service abroad, and the evolution of his work from university teaching to global leadership training through the FranklinCovey organization. The conversation explores Covey’s core ideas of principle‑centered leadership, individual responsibility, and the human capacity for self‑renewal, emphasizing the four unique human endowments—self‑awareness, imagination, conscience, and independent will. Covey discusses the universal relevance of moral principles across cultures and religions, the importance of family and community support systems, and the role of moral authority in leadership, drawing on examples from global figures and his own life experiences.

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  Focus Hawaii Stewart Medeiros

  Lance Chase and Stewart Medeiros

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Stewart Medeiros—widely known as the “Calabash King of Hawaii”—who shares his life story, personal transformation, and the deep cultural and spiritual meaning behind his hand‑carved umeke (calabash bowls). Medeiros discusses his childhood beneath Diamond Head, his years in the Army and as a football coach, and his decades of craftsmanship before dedicating himself to creating one‑of‑a‑kind carved pieces rich with symbolic elements such as Hawaiian flora, fauna, heritage motifs, and personal emblems representing humility, renewal, and gratitude. He reflects on overcoming past struggles, choosing sobriety, rediscovering a sense of purpose, and giving back to Hawaii through his art—pieces that have reached figures such as President George H. W. Bush and Governor John Waiheʻe. The episode showcases his carvings, his philosophy of self‑restoration, and his deep love for the land and people of Hawaii.

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  Focus Hawaii Susannah Wesley Community Center

  Dominic Inocelda and David Gibson

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Dominic Inocelda, Program Executive, and David Gibson, Development Director of the Susannah Wesley Community Center, one of Hawaiʻi’s oldest and most impactful social‑service organizations. They trace the Center’s origins back to 1899, when Methodist missionaries began teaching English and sewing to immigrant women before transforming the program into a children’s home in the early 1900s. Now a multi‑service community center in Kalihi, the organization provides youth outreach, gang‑prevention programs, leadership development, senior meal service, mental‑health partnerships, family support, emergency food distribution, and practicum opportunities for university social‑work students. The episode highlights the Center’s major $2.6 million facility expansion, supported through partnerships with foundations, government agencies, and community donors, doubling its service capacity and adding a gym, computer lab, recreation spaces, and improved community facilities. In discussing their mission, the guests emphasize collaboration with other agencies, adapting to emerging needs—including rising homelessness—and continuing the Center’s historic commitment to immigrants, families, youth, and vulnerable residents across Oʻahu.

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  Focus Hawaii Taran Erickson Christmas

  Lance Chase and Taran Erickson

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this Christmas edition of Focus Hawaii features professional singer and entertainer Taran Erickson (Taran McQuivy), who shares her musical journey from her early years singing nonstop as a child to performing with local groups, including The Surfers and eventually Don Ho. Now a BYU–Hawaii student and Kahuku High School graduate, Taran talks about the role her mother played as her teacher, manager, and greatest supporter, her musical influences—especially Karen Carpenter—and her aspirations to build a national performing career while balancing marriage, education, and classical vocal training. The episode showcases two Christmas performances, including a Carpenters‑style medley and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” while Taran reflects on connecting with audiences, the challenges of live performance, and the joy and purpose she finds in uplifting, meaningful music.

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  Focus Hawaii The China Ethnic Minority Delegation

  Brigham Young University Hawaii

  This episode features an evening of cultural exchange with a visiting China Ethnic Minority Delegation from the Central University for Nationalities in Beijing. The group shares songs and dances representing diverse ethnic traditions from across China, offering BYU–Hawaii an authentic showcase of movement, costume, and music. Much of the program consists of full‑length performance footage, beginning with the Tibetan dance “The Cradle on a Yak.” The performers express appreciation for the university’s hospitality and highlight the ongoing three‑year relationship between the two institutions. The event is presented as a celebration of cultural heritage, artistic expression, and international friendship, with the stage filled by traditional choreography, distinctive regional attire, and live demonstrations of China’s vibrant minority cultures.

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  Focus Hawaii Theresa Bigbie & Dale Hamond

  Lance Chase, Theresa Bigbie, and Dale Hamond

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Theresa Bigbie, president of the Laie Community Association, and Dr. Dale Hamond, its first vice president, as they discuss their personal histories, long community involvement, and the evolving challenges facing Laie. Bigbie reflects on her Molokaʻi upbringing, her career in education, and her return home to serve the community, while Hamond recounts his decades in Laie as an early BYU–Hawaii chemistry instructor with deep historical ties to the area. Together they address issues such as population density, multigenerational households, the shift from plantation‑era oversight to more localized decision‑making, and the role of major institutional stakeholders like BYU–Hawaii, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and Hawaii Reserves Inc. They describe the community’s unique Citizens Advisory Groups (CAGs), which allow residents to meaningfully influence matters such as wastewater infrastructure, lease‑to‑fee conversions, housing development, and negotiations with city and county officials. The discussion also highlights concerns about roads, taxes, public services, economic opportunities, and preserving Laie’s rural character while planning for sustainable growth.

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  Focus Hawaii The Skousens

  Lance Chase, Elder Skousen, and Sister Skousen

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Elder and Sister Skousen, a missionary couple from Arizona completing their third year of service at BYU–Hawaii. They recount their upbringing in large, musically rooted families, their student years at BYU, and their lifelong shared involvement in music—she a dedicated piano teacher since age 16, he a trombonist, vocalist, and former member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, with whom he toured internationally. They discuss careers in teaching, engineering, and mathematics alongside their musical pursuits, as well as their contributions on the BYU–Hawaii campus through piano instruction, math teaching, choir direction, and mentoring students. The Skousens reflect on the multicultural musicality of Polynesian and Pacific students, memorable experiences in Fiji, Tonga, and New Zealand, and the profound emotional and spiritual influence music has had throughout their lives. As they prepare to conclude their three‑year mission, they express deep gratitude for the students, community, and diverse cultural environment that shaped their time in Hawaiʻi.

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  Focus Hawaii Thomas Jefferson

  Lance Chase and Clay Jenkinson

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this unique episode of Focus Hawaii features renowned humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson performing in full character as Thomas Jefferson, offering viewers an unprecedented “interview” with one of America’s most influential founders. Speaking as Jefferson, Jenkinson discusses his early life in Virginia, the writing of the Declaration of Independence, the philosophical grounding of the Revolution, the controversies of equality, his strained relationship with Alexander Hamilton, his aversion to war, the Louisiana Purchase, and his belief in the virtue of the common citizen. He also reflects on the tragedies of his personal life and the contradictions in his moral and political legacy, including slavery. In the final moments, Jenkinson steps out of character to talk about his scholarly work, his upcoming book The Paradox of Thomas Jefferson, and the challenges of interpreting such a complex historical figure.

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  Focus Hawaii Tony DiPreta

  Lance Chase and Tony DiPreta

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features acclaimed cartoonist Tony DiPreta, creator of the Rex Morgan, M.D. comic strip, who reflects on his lifelong career in comics—from his beginnings in Connecticut to inheriting and sustaining major story‑based strips like Joe Palooka and Rex Morgan. DiPreta discusses his family, his early discouragement of his children entering the arts, and the meticulous process behind producing a daily story strip, including scripting, penciling, inking, letter placement, and sending completed work to syndicates. He recounts the challenges of preserving character likenesses when inheriting established strips, the evolution of the comic industry, the rise of residual merchandising, and how reader preferences and shrinking attention spans have shaped modern comics. He also shares experiences entertaining U.S. troops around the world as a USO cartoonist and offers insights into what it takes for aspiring artists to break into the field today.

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  Focus Hawaii TRIOD Advanced Environmental Technology

  Chad Compton, Carol Sing, and Gary Sing

  Hosted by Chad Compton, this 1994 episode of Focus Hawaii features Carol and Gary Sing of Triod Promotions Incorporated, a pioneering brokerage firm specializing in advanced environmental technologies. The conversation explores how Triod functions as a global “one‑stop technology center,” connecting industries, governments, and communities with innovative solutions for water purification, wastewater treatment, air‑pollution control, alternative energy, and industrial cleanup systems. Carol and Gary describe their extensive research efforts, early exposure to international environmental trade shows, and their eventual expansion into Southeast Asia, India, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. They explain how they identify polluting industries, introduce cutting‑edge technologies—from fast pyrolysis to non‑toxic oil‑spill remediation—and coordinate technical teams to implement solutions. The episode also delves into broader environmental concerns: the ecological toll of industrialization, the links between pollution and human disease, the importance of recycling and clean water at the household level, and the need for societies to reconnect with nature. With sincerity and urgency, the Sings discuss the economic resistance they face from companies reluctant to invest in environmental upgrades, their hopes for global ecological awareness, and the satisfaction of helping clients worldwide adopt sustainable solutions—such as their landmark sewage‑aerator distributorship completed entirely by phone and fax.

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  Focus Hawaii Tuione Pulotu Artist

  Lance Chase and Tuione Pulotu

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Tuione Pulotu, a self‑taught Tongan sculptor and Hawai‘i resident, whose remarkable woodcarving reflects both traditional Polynesian influences and his own artistic vision. Pulotu recounts his journey from growing up in Tonga with limited artistic resources to developing a passion for carving after exposure to Hawaiian woodworking and museum collections. Balancing a full‑time construction business with his creative work, he describes his process of shaping pieces directly from the natural form and grain of wood, often drawing inspiration from Hawaiian, Tongan, and Marquesan designs. The program highlights several of his works, including bowls, paddles, and canoes, and features his most significant creation—a seven‑foot‑tall ceremonial throne carved from a single piece of wood for the future King of Tonga, completed as a personal labor of devotion rather than for compensation. Through his story, the episode celebrates artistic dedication, cultural identity, and the enduring power of craftsmanship in Polynesian tradition.

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  Focus Hawaii Uncle Five Cents

  Lance Chase and Thomas Au

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Thomas Au, affectionately known as “Uncle Five Cents,” a lifelong Laie resident and respected steel guitar player. He shares the story behind his nickname—earned as a boy diving for coins at the old “Beauty Hole”—and talks about his Hawaiian‑Chinese heritage, local swimming legends, and his place as the eighth steel guitarist in a long Laie tradition. Uncle Five Cents recounts the history of the steel guitar, including the role of Joseph Kekuku, and explains how he taught himself by buying 78‑rpm records, comparing players, and practicing late into the night. He also describes performing at the famous Hukilau events, his admiration for steel artists like Solomon Hopi, and the revival of steel guitar music. Beyond music, he reflects on his years working in the sugar plantation, construction, and for the City and County of Honolulu. The episode concludes with a live performance of the classic steel guitar piece “Sands,” accompanied by BYU–Hawaii student Fred Watson.

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  Focus Hawaii Vernice Wineera Director, Institute for Polynesian Studies

  Lance Chase and Vernice Wineera

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Vernice Wineera—soon to be Dr. Wineera—newly appointed Director of the Institute for Polynesian Studies, who shares her remarkable journey from growing up in the Māori village of Porirua, New Zealand, to decades of educational, cultural, and administrative work in Hawaiʻi. She recounts her studies at BYU–Hawaii, her years of service at the Polynesian Cultural Center in roles ranging from marketing to research and development, and her doctoral focus on multiculturalism and the dynamics of cultural presentation within expatriate Polynesian communities. Wineera discusses the Institute’s history, its scholarly mission, its partnerships between BYU–Hawaii and the PCC, its board of fellows, and its ambitious research projects—including oral histories, multi‑ethnicity conferences, Rapa Nui studies, and documentation of Pacific performance arts—all while emphasizing student involvement, cultural integrity, and the importance of authentic representation. Please note that some portions of the video, particularly in the middle section, may appear blurry or have gray visual distortions. [1995006 Fo...a 19950308 | PDF]

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  Focus Hawaii Von Orgill

  James Tueller and Von Orgill

  Hosted by James Tueller, this episode of Focus Hawaii features President Von Orgill, newly appointed president of the Polynesian Cultural Center, who reflects on moving his family to Laie and stepping into leadership at one of Hawai‘i’s most significant cultural institutions. He discusses the PCC’s origins as a way to help BYU–Hawaii students—particularly from Polynesia—finance their education, the center’s growth to more than 28 million visitors, and its unique partnership with the university. Orgill explains the importance of authenticity in representing the seven Polynesian cultures, the center’s reliance on student workers, and the power of word‑of‑mouth in attracting visitors. He also shares his professional background—from Arthur Andersen to IBM to the Covey Leadership Center—and how those experiences shape his vision for expanding authenticity, cultural education, community collaboration, and multigenerational involvement at the PCC.

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  Focus Hawaii Wilfred Navalta and Becky Laubach

  Lance Chase, Dr. Wilfred Navalta, and Becky Laubach

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features Dr. Wilfred Navalta, head coach of BYU–Hawaii’s women’s volleyball team, and Becky Laubach, a three‑time All‑American middle blocker and key member of three consecutive national championship teams. Coach Navalta discusses his background, coaching career, and the principles that shaped seven national titles, emphasizing team chemistry, trust, and athlete development. Becky shares her experiences on the championship teams and reveals her life‑changing decision to leave volleyball temporarily to serve an 18‑month mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints in Tempe, Arizona. Together, they reflect on leadership, faith, personal priorities, and the balance between athletic achievement and spiritual goals, highlighting a unique moment where a star athlete steps away from a successful program with her coach’s full support.

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  Focus Hawaii William Faulkner

  Dale Hammond and William Faulkner

  Hosted by Dale Hammond, this episode of Focus Hawaii features William Faulkner, a musician and harpist who presents and discusses a unique Mexican‑Polynesian harp crafted with koa wood and traditional Mexican design. Through live demonstrations, Faulkner explores the musical versatility of the instrument, performing selections from Mexican folk traditions, Celtic ballads, and Hawaiian compositions while explaining differences in rhythm, technique, and cultural expression. The conversation highlights the harp’s historical roots, portability, and adaptability across cultures, as well as Faulkner’s personal journey from mathematics to music. This program blends performance and education, illustrating how musical traditions intersect and evolve, while showcasing the artistic possibilities of the harp in both traditional and cross‑cultural settings.

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  Focus Hawaii William Wallace III Associate Professor of History

  Lance Chase

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features William “Bill” Wallace III, associate professor of history at Brigham Young University–Hawai‘i, attorney, kumu hula, and respected Native Hawaiian scholar, in a thoughtful and wide‑ranging discussion of Hawaiian sovereignty, identity, and cultural responsibility. Drawing on his deep family roots in La‘ie and Moloka‘i, Wallace reflects on Hawaiian history, land stewardship (mālama ʻāina), language revitalization, and the spiritual and cultural values of aloha that underpin Hawaiian society. He offers a calm, nuanced examination of the sovereignty movement, acknowledging differing viewpoints within Native Hawaiian communities while emphasizing healing, self‑determination, education, and reconnecting families to land and tradition. Rather than framing sovereignty solely as a political pursuit, Wallace reframes it as a broader moral and spiritual challenge—one grounded in culture, family, faith, and responsibility—presenting a hopeful vision for the future of Native Hawaiians rooted in identity, values, and community strength.

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  Focus Hawaii World Travelers

  Lance Chase, Dr. Marc Schlachter, and Dr. David Porter

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii features two widely traveled guests—Dr. Marc Shlachter, a local physician known as “The Country Doctor,” and Dr. David Porter, BYU–Hawaii professor and tennis coach—who share extraordinary stories from their adventures around the world. From African pygmy villages and canoe journeys on the Ubangi River, to Bhutan, Timbuktu, the Cook Islands, Soviet‑era Moscow and Sochi, Guyana, and the remote atolls of Kiribati, the two describe what it’s like to travel far beyond typical tourist routes. They discuss staying with local families, navigating primitive conditions, avoiding diseases, and the medical precautions crucial for safe travel. The episode includes memorable stories—like receiving a treasured shell from a Kiribati family with almost nothing to spare, and bartering Levi’s and Nike shoes for a hand‑painted Russian lacquer box—while offering practical advice for anyone seeking authentic global experiences instead of packaged tours.

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  Focus Hawaii Youth Garden at BYU-Hawaii

  Lance Chase

  Hosted by Lance Chase, this episode of Focus Hawaii presents highlights from BYU–Hawaii’s sesquicentennial celebration of Pioneers in the Pacific, featuring performances by local youth in the symbolic “Youth Garden” program. Through song, chant, and dramatized storytelling, the presentation honors the heritage, sacrifices, and faith of Pacific pioneers while using garden imagery—flowers, drought, prayer, renewal, humility, and covenant—to teach lessons of resilience and spiritual commitment. The episode includes dramatized segments portraying themes of pride, humility, and unity, as well as reflections on the responsibilities and identity of the rising generation. This special broadcast captures the spirit of the week‑long campus celebration and its tribute to the youth of the Pacific and their cultural and spiritual roots.