Pure Aloha vs Street Life | The Transformation Is Real

Hot Sauce: The Humility Behind the Handles

A streetball legend walks into Kalihi and doesn’t ask for a red carpet. We sit down with Philip “Hot Sauce” Champion, the face so many fans still associate with the AND1 era, and we get past the mixtape mythology to hear the true arc: daily work in the mirror, a season of trouble, and the wild moment his signature moves got him noticed even while he was locked up. He explains how quickly life can flip when you’re prepared, and why he never tried to reshape himself to fit a league mold.  From there, we go deeper than highlights. Hot Sauce talks about humility as a decision, not a personality trait, and what it means to show up for kids who come from tough neighborhoods. We connect that to Hawaii youth basketball, where travel, tournament fees, and limited island schedules make access hard, especially after COVID. Coach Momo breaks down how Team Here We Go runs like an ohana, how fundraising and nonprofit partners help cover costs, and why bringing a big name to a local camp can unite an entire basketball community.  Then the conversation turns unexpectedly personal and practical when Portia Champion joins us. She shares how podiatry “chose” her through mentorship and repeated signs, why foot and ankle care matters more than most athletes admit, and how she and Hot Sauce balance structure with spontaneity in real life. We close by naming our “aloha heroes” and honoring the family members who made the road possible.  If you care about streetball culture, AND1 history, youth mentorship, and building character alongside skill, press play, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review. What part of Hot Sauce’s story hits you the hardest? IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

Overcoming Addiction, Prison & Houselessness—My Sister’s Keeper

She came out of prison with no title, no money & no  plan yet still built one of the most practical, faith-forward outreach efforts in Honolulu. Triciaa Maʻae-Liupaono of My Sister’s Keeper is now under the nonprofit under the umbrella Reckless Love. It's all about addiction recovery, houseless outreach, housing life lessons & serving people who've been written off by everyone else. Tricia shares *miracles* -- like watching women break free from heroin & fentanyl to stay sober. Or a DMV driving test with no car, a prompt to ask a stranger for help & a brand new vehicle offered on the spot.  If this hits you, subscribe, share with friends who need hope, & leave a word of encouragement so more people can find these stories of real aloha. What part of Trisha’s journey do you want to hear more about? YASS YOU, SISTER'S KEEPER! IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

Breaking the Silence on Childhood S*xual Abuse

The most dangerous place for a child can be the place everyone assumes is safest: home, family, and trusted circles. We sit down as two sister friends to talk plainly about childhood sexual abuse, incest & the generational silence that lets horrific harm repeat. Charlotte shares the reality of being abused at multiple ages, the freeze response that can make a child feel voiceless & the gutting 2024 revelation that forced her to re-see her father & their family history. It’s raw, faith-forward, & meant to bring freedom instead of shame. We also zoom out to the bigger picture of child sexual assault prevention. We talk about why abuse is not limited to any one culture, while still naming how tight-knit communities can unintentionally protect offenders through “don’t air dirty laundry,” pressure to honor elders, & fear of conflict. Join us as we connect the dots of trauma, poverty, substance abuse, domestic violence & incarceration as risk amplifiers. We also talk about why survivors often get re-victimized when they tell others. Then we get practical: Safe & Sacred Touch, body safety education, & a memorable ABCDEF acronym. The line we keep coming back to is simple and urgent: Sexual abuse stops when the silence stops. We also address grooming through gaming and DMs, safe adults and safe spaces, and how childhood trauma can echo into CPTSD and vulnerability to trafficking.  If you care about protecting kids & supporting survivors with compassion & clarity, listen and share with someone in need. Subscribe, leave a review, and send us your thoughts: what helps a person feel safe enough to speak? If you're in Hawai'i, a great resource organization to contact is www.HoolaNaPua.org.  IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

Hawaii's Secret to Natural Disasters & More...

Charmaine Hauanio-Kuewa is a Miss Aloha Hawaii & Salvation Army Hawaii leader, talking on local disaster relief, ohana trials, & what real help looks like Hawaiian-style. • Why Salvation Army responds to both disasters and “daily disasters”  • What happened after Lahaina & North Shore storms  • How meals, shelter support & financial assistance work  • Why emotional & spiritual support matter too • Identity, purpose & guarding marriage & family under pressure  • A word to women re: comparison, Imposter Syndrome, & being BELOVED! You can get more of Charmaine, of course, at Salvation Army Hawaii. Please partner with them for "Doing the Most Good" with your dollars, volunteer time, sharing this message or simply dropping a THANK YOU here in the comments. Every action brings exponential change, MAHALO!   IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast

Why Hawai’i is Important for World’s Last Days

What's Hawai'i got to do with it? Where does Aloha fit into the Last Days? It's getting real with Pastor Jonathan Steeper--a pastor who refused to shutdown the church during global lockdown, who stood for religious freedom in a national war & looks spiritual war in the eye. After 15 years at Kalihi Union Church, Pastor John reflects on the “gentle” miracles of persistent faith. This is what has lead to the rare sight of many cultures choosing unity under one roof for Christ's sake. If you care about God's true Church, unity, spiritual warfare, religious freedom, & faithful leaders, this conversation will challenge & encourage you. Subscribe, share with a friend; & please comment your greatest takeaway or question... It helps keep ALOHA ALIVE! IG @DawnOBrienHI FB Dawn O'Brien HI www.ChooseAloha.org IG @alohaalivepodcast youtube.com/@AlohaAlivePodcast