Lokahi Backstage with Jamie Ann Blakeman is back with Season Two: Roots in the Islands—where Jamie keeps the conversations rolling, reconnects with familiar faces, and meets new friends who bring their own island-flavored stories to the mix.
This season is about growth—the kind that happens when Jamie steps back just a little to let others guide the conversation, putting herself in that uncomfortable-but-exciting space where real connection and discovery happen. Season Two still carries the spark that started it all. People kept asking Jamie how she does what she does, and that curiosity opened the door to a podcast full of real talk, good laughs, and the behind-the-scenes stories of leaders doing life their own way.
These are stories with roots—and plenty of Hawaiian heart. Remembering who you are and where you come from can be the most powerful part of your journey.
Roots in the Islands
Season 2
The Bamboo
Guy
In this episode, Jamie sits down with the legendary Hawaiian Ryan—a Japanese/Chinese/Hawaiian creative who proudly identifies as someone who’s never been easy to categorize. You might know him as the Ryan from The Sam and Ryan Show on 93.9 The Beat, or as the guy who’s been making Hawaii laugh for more than three decades through radio, comedy, music, and the occasional questionable life choice. From bombing math tests in 1990 and disappointing his Asian father, to placing in Brown Bags to Stardom, to winning a Hawaii Music Award for his debut comedy album, to hosting TV shows, to surviving mainland radio and running back home—Ryan’s career has been one big loop of reinvention and full-circle moments.
But the real heart of this episode goes far deeper. Jamie and Ryan dive into pivot mode—what it means to adapt, stay curious, and keep yourself in a constant state of learning. They talk about why there’s no wrong way to do things, how interruptions in conversation can actually reveal the most real moments, and why stepping out of your comfort zone is supposed to feel, well, uncomfortable! They explore the artistic life, the myth of “safe vs. risky,” and how redefining both can open up entirely new paths.
Most importantly, they circle back to the foundation of every journey:
staying true to your roots, even as you grow beyond them. This episode is honest, hilarious, and full of that signature Ryan energy—with just enough chaos to keep it real.
Hawaiian Ryan: Pivot Mode with Hawaiian Ryan
Season 2: Episode 1
Ryan
Eating Fries
Kealoha processes pregnancy news
Jamie Ann Blakeman and Hawaiian Ryan welcome Kealoha to Lokahi Backstage for a powerful conversation about finding purpose, redefining success, and trusting the pull of your passion.
Kealoha grew up with one mission: get the good job. A math-and-science kid who thought art was just “fluff,” he set out to solve the world’s energy crisis and earned his way to MIT. But the reality hit hard—cold weather, cultural shock, and a future filled with suits, ties, and endless spreadsheets. In San Francisco, climbing the consulting ladder, he found himself asking the question that changes everything: What am I doing with my life?
One night at a Bay Area poetry slam changed everything. The energy, the artistry, the euphoria—he knew instantly: I’ve got to do this. Soon he was typing out poems at his desk instead of working through spreadsheets. When he was laid off, he stretched what little money he had, slept on his brother’s couch—and felt happier than ever.
As his presence in the slam poetry scene grew, so did opportunities. Eventually, Kealoha reached a powerful pivot point: could he fuse poetry with science? At the same time, he learned he was going to be a father. When his partner asked if he needed time with the news, he imagined the questions his future child might one day ask him—and a story began to form. That story became the foundation of a stage production, made possible through support from an organization that believed in his vision. It later evolved into a digital and educational experience reaching even more people.
Kealoha shares what he’s learned along the way: find your passion, follow it relentlessly, and make sure you are truly living the life you were meant to live.
Kealoha: The Fusion Reaction Between Science and Slam Poetry
Season 2: Episode 2
Identity
and mustard
Tune in!
Real Talk. Real People.
Join me as we pull back the curtain and share the stories that inspire courage, spark connection, and remind you that your journey matters too.