Maui's Shane “Hawaiian Home Boy” Kahalehau of KPOA Radio

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Hey, everybody, welcome to thepublic affair show of your favorite iHeart radio
station in Seattle. I'm Lee Callahan. I'm delighted to have a fellow broadcaster
on the show this morning talking aboutthe place on earth that needs a ton
of help right now. It's beenin the news all week. It is

(00:20):
Shane Hawaiian Homeboy, Cahal Laho CaLahal. Did I get it? Good
job? Hey, you are themorning show host over at KPOA on Maui.
Welcome to the show man, welcomethe show. Thank you for having
us Lee Home and spreading our storyout there to the reaches of your listeners.

(00:44):
Yeah, it's all we're talking aboutout here. Still, it's just
been devastating there. Your radio stationwhere you live is very close to Lahinah
and to actually to the other fires. It's not that big of an island.
So can you tell me what itis like when this all started happening,
and it happened so fast. Yeah, everything happened really fast. The

(01:07):
hearts here in Maui are very heavy. You know, we have not seen
something like this ever in its historyof the Hawaiian Islands or even in the
United States. So hearts are veryheavy here in the Maui. Yes,
the fires came there. There's alot of information and different variables that make

(01:29):
up the complete story of what happened. I'm just going to say that we
have a lot of families that aredisplaced, hundreds of homes that have been
destroyed, businesses that have been inoperation for so many years, and part
of the fabric of the community ofLahina have been just wiped out. And
the devastation is evident through many ofthe broadcasts that's been going out around the

(01:55):
world and people as a social media, but you cannot really explain the feeling
unless you're here on the island ofMaui. Like I said, very heavy
hearts. Absolutely. As of now, and we are recording this as of
now Thursday of this week, there'sone hundred and ten people who have died,

(02:20):
and you know, unfortunately that numbersgonna go way way up because they've
only gotten through so much DNA.It's just devastating that you've lost so many
people. And I'm sure, andI'm sorry to say this, I'm sure
you've lost friends already. Yeah,definitely, we have lost friends, people
that we've known for many years,parents and loved ones, old folks,

(02:45):
so who are not able to getout in time. And we are yet
to hear of the names of thechildren that have been lost. We're just
starting to hear the horror story,so to say, of what really truly
had happened. You know, oneof the main things was communication. Communication
was knocked out when it happened,when the fires came through. There was

(03:07):
no power, there was no cellservice, no internet service, So communicating
what was going on and what happenedfrom minute to minute was delayed because we
couldn't get that communication. KPOA,our radio station, became that hub of
information and communication from Lahina to therest of the island. So on top

(03:31):
of the tragedy and what exactly happened, there were other elements and continued to
have other elements because of what happened, and still seeing a devastation in many
areas. I mean, the traumato everyone's memory and mind of what happened
is also something that needs to bedealt with. I'm sure sooner than later,

(03:52):
I bet everybody on the phone withme from Maui. I've got Shane
Kaha Laihau and he is the programdirector and morning show host at KPOA in
Mallion exactly what town? Will youtell everybody what town you're in? You
know, our original home when wefirst started thirty nine years ago, was

(04:13):
right there in the heart of Lahina. The old building we used to be
in is no more. It allburned down in nineteen ninety eight. We
moved on the other side of theisland in the town of Kahului, and
that's where we reside to this day. Yeah. Wow, that must be
so sad. I mean, we'vegot people who are gone, we've got

(04:33):
animals who are gone, and we'vegot places so important to us that are
also gone. And it's not likeHawaiians to want to place blame. I
know this about people that lived there. But when the winds were picking up
so much, and people have beentalking about this a lot, the power

(04:55):
companies didn't turn off the power lines. Do you know anymore about that?
And should they have? Or wasit going too fast? What do you
think right now? That is thehot topic. That is the question at
hand. Could there have been anythingthat could have prevent this early warning?

(05:15):
I do know for a fact,as it is portrayed throughout the news around
the world from what's coming out ofMaui is there was no warning system.
There was no SMS. The EmergencyBroadcast system alert signal did not come out.
The sirens did not ring for whateverreason. And I believe it is

(05:40):
being investigated as we speak today andthe upcoming days from the Attorney General's Office
to the Accounty of Maui and allthose different parts that played in the emergency
alert system. Yes, unfortunately itdid not. There was no warning.

(06:00):
No, it's so sad. Iwas living out there when the hurricane hit
Kawai and did you say, leahiki? What's that? Aniki means strong winds?
Yeah, okay, and wiped outthat island. We didn't we were
over I was over in Oahu andwe didn't know what had happened for like
a day because all communications boom.It's an island and when it goes down,

(06:26):
we couldn't communicate. Yes, yeah, really rough, Okay, moving
going back, everybody on the phone, and I have Shane Kaha Laihau and
he is on Maui. He's amorning show host and PD at a really
great radio station over there that playsHawaiian music, old new. I just
love it. I've been listening eversince I found you. Thank yeah.

(06:47):
Yeah, your police chief over there, he's not fooling around. He is
upset telling people over there, themedia to watch their step because what they're
walking on are the remains of folkswe've lost. Tell me more about him,
and I guess the feeling of allthat going on over there with people
are kind of invading your area.Yeah, it's it's been a tough it's

(07:12):
been a challenge trying to secure thearea as quick as possible. Our emergency
crews in personnel have been working tirelesslytrying their best to make it happen.
You know, emotions are running veryhigh here, whether it be from the
people that are on the ground tryingto get aid and donations and distribution of
supplies to those still stranded. Overin Lahina on the west side of Maui,

(07:36):
there are parts that have been restoredpower, internet connection and cell phone
service is a little spotty, sorestoration efforts are still underway. So things
are still you know, fresh thereon the ground, as are the emotions
and just trying to figure out thebest way possible to make things better in

(07:58):
every avenue is a challenge from ourleaders in the county to state, all
of the federal organizations that are here, FEMA, Red Cross. You know,
the locals have just been unbelievable lythey they have inspired the whole island.
We as a people have inspired oneanother to mobilize and do everything that

(08:22):
we can. It's just been amazing. People have been coming in on boat
from other islands and bringing in suppliesto places where you know, are out
of the reach of the emergency crews. And I will say that the local
people were the first to render aidin any kind where there was medical aid,

(08:43):
supplies, food, clothing, whateverit was. They were definitely on
the ground, running on the oceanin boats before any emergency organization even hit
the ground or came off the planerunning. I can absolutely believe this.
Absolutely the Aloha spirit out there isto be envied and should should be replicated

(09:05):
by everybody else and adapted. Yea, adapted and adopted, Yeah for sure,
exactly. Now. You were justtalking about people being stranded over in
Lahinah, people with no homes,there's nothing left. It's just terrible.
So when you say they're stranded,they just can't get out of there,
is it? Like, I know, there's a little highway, but it
takes forever. So what do youmean by stranded? And how can they

(09:28):
get out of there? Are theybeing housed at all? What's that story
like? The for those who dono access into Lahinah is limited. There's
pretty much one way in and maybeanother way out. But if you've been
to Lahinah, then then you knowexactly the topography of Lahinah. You know,

(09:52):
people who lost their homes, theyhave nowhere to go. They may
have some family that is on theother parts of the island that they go
to. Many of them who havesurvived and their homes are intact. They
did not leave. They stayed outnear their homes, at their homes,
without power, without running water,trying to survive with the supplies and donations

(10:13):
that went out there. But itwas tough. Looting is a reality,
not right now because now things havekind of opened up, but in the
beginning there was opportunity for that andand there was some looting that went on.
So many families stayed back at theirhomes to protect their homes, even
though they didn't have sufficient supplies toa last out there. So you know,

(10:37):
when I say stranded, it includesa couple of ways of being stranded,
whether there were out nothing or they'rehunkered down with some family or at
a shelter or at some spot outthere in line. And like I said,
there's pretty much one way in,one way out. Yeah, yeah,
everybody on the phone with me.I have got Caha Laihau and he

(11:01):
is over at radio station KPOA.He's in Caha Louie, which is on
the island of Maui. He's beenliving there his whole life. He's got
a family, he's got lots offriends, and the Looha spirit is alive
and well, Shane, let's takea real quick break and come back.
I've got so many more questions foryou, like the best place to donate

(11:24):
and if we should travel back there. Okay, Yes, this is the
public Affair show of your favorite iHeartradio station in Seattle. I'm Lee Callahan,
will be right back. Welcome backto the public affair show off your
favorite iHeart radio station right here inSeattle. I'm Lee Callahan, and I
have the pleasure of talking to afellow broadcaster. Is Shane Caha Lehau of
KPOA Radio right on Maui. Here. Let me ask you this there's a

(11:48):
controversy going on because you've got thegovernment officials, maybe the governor somebody saying,
yeah, you are welcome to comenow to Vakeka on the island,
but just stay away from Lahainah andthe other places where the wildfires are.
But you know, if you're goingto Kihay or other spots, come now.

(12:09):
What do you think about that?What do the islanders think about that?
You know, the Hawaii it relieson its tourism. The economy of
Hawaii is pretty much run through tourism, so we depend on tourism a lot.
Lahaina is a hot tourist destination thathas been closed closed off, But

(12:33):
as you go to the upper westside of the island near Kanapali, Kapalua
and Apili, these also are touristdestinations too, where a lot of resorts
are located in stuff. Right now, that area is being restored, but
there are other areas on the islandlike Wailea, McKenna, Quihayu, the

(12:54):
Hana on the east side of Maui. These are still tourist destinations and they
are open. Here on the island. We have to continue to live and
we've been saying this on the radiostation that we still have to Everyone is
in respect mode right now, sonobody wants to go out and have a
good time or you know, createthese public events where you know, it

(13:16):
takes attention away from the need thatis here on the island. So everyone
is kind of, you know,kind of set back right now and it's
waiting for the opportunity time to kindof get back to regular life. I
guess you could say. But yes, Maui is still open. We evacuated
almost thirty thousand tourists because of theaffires, all mainly from the Lahinah and

(13:39):
kinda Polynapili area, So we have, yeah, a lot of tourists that
left, but that is because ofthe situation. The rest of the island
is still open, is we're stillwelcoming tourists. In fact, we encourage
tourists to still come because the islandis open. It's just Lahina town is
out and vacationing in on Napolli andthose other areas near Lahina would probably take

(14:03):
some time to get back online.Now, I know you're a public figure
and you agree with this and youreally do want people to come back for
financial reasons, but is that thesentiment for all the islanders over there,
they feel that way too. Noteveryone would agree with probably what I've just
said. Everyone has their perspective onwhat it is. We all have our

(14:28):
opinion on what it should become movingforward. But yeah, we definitely we
have those who's on the left thatthat think that that's not a good idea,
that they should all stay away.But the reality of the way we
the life we live and able tolive, the reality is that we need

(14:48):
that tourism bump here in Maui especially. Okay, then the next question is
if you've got reservations and you know, and within the next couple weeks or
months, and you want to go, and they're in the safe places that
haven't been affected, and you're gonnago, and you don't, but you
know, you don't want to looklike this stupid tourists walking around having a

(15:11):
party, and you say, come, come with respect. Most definitely,
it may change your You may haveto change your whole plans on what you
were planning to do. Because I'lltell you this lie. For any visitor
that comes here and has at leastlittle knowledge of what had happened, their
their frame of mind will change.I'm pretty sure it won't be one hundred

(15:33):
percent vacation mode. They will beprobably looking for some way to help along
the way, however little or smallit could be. It just calls for
it, and like you know,Lee, it's all part of the aloha
spirit. That's what the aloha spiritdoes to you, whether you're here visiting
or whether here living forever. Yeah. Absolutely, well, I really appreciate

(15:54):
that clarification. And I know thatpeople's lives will be changed. And that
doesn't sound like a bad vacation togo and you know, get your consciousness
raised about what happened, what happensto people. It's not a bad way
to vacation, you know, andalso get some aloha and love, light
and sun and good food and youknow, beautiful, beautiful waters. Now,

(16:17):
for folks who aren't going on vacation, there's been some talk of places
not to give your money but youwant to help and places to give your
money. So what's your favorite placewe should send money to, you know,
as far as an official place,because there are many nonprofit organizations,
grassroots, local, family operated typesof organizations that would probably be on on

(16:48):
maybe social media, but our officialone, which is in conjunction with,
of course, the County of Mauiand stuff is the Maui Food Bank.
Oh cool? Yeah, and doyou have a website for that? They
are Maui Foodbank dot org. Ohthat's so good. I haven't heard this
one. This is great information.Yeah, Mai Foodbank dot org. And

(17:12):
they're just getting food, water suppliesand maybe arranging for housing. Are they
doing that too, Yeah, sothey'll be uh moving into those phases of
the plan. The overall plant.Are people welcoming poor folks who lost their
houses? Are I know it's sohuge? The ohana over there? Are

(17:32):
they saying, come on into myhouse? Well, Lee, you probably
know the answer to that question.That question is of course you know how
it is. It's about ohana.Ohannah is different than than the meaning of
family, as you know. Thankyou so much for sharing your experience and
your hope with us today, Shane, Hawaiian homeboy, Kaha Laihau. I

(17:56):
appreciate everything. You got a greatradio station there too, it's kpo A
dot com. Thank you, Shane, us. You're welcome, Lee,
and thank you Seattle for your prayers. Continue to do that. That's the
best thing you guys could do forus being so far away. Yeah,
we'll talk again, Lee anytime calledme. I appreciate that. Yeah,
we'll do. By Shane Aloha