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Collecting all of the Pacific Island experiences of Utah, building a bridge to the broader community ~
Episodes
Friday Sep 06, 2024
Friday Sep 06, 2024
In this episode, Oreta and Kamaile sit down with Lucia Benitez, a dedicated Community Health Worker (CHW) from Wendover, Utah – a rural and frontier town with a rich history and unique healthcare challenges.
Lucia shares her inspiring journey of addressing social determinants of health and her tireless efforts to bring health equity to her community. She discusses:
✅ The obstacles residents face in accessing essential healthcare
✅ How Lucia connects local leaders and resource providers to support the community's needs
✅ Heartfelt stories from the community and their fight for better healthcare resources
✅ A look into her new initiative aimed at improving health access for Wendover’s residents, despite the end of funding for her position with the Tooele County Health Department.
🔍 Wendover, Utah, sits on the edge of the Utah-Nevada border and is historically known for its isolation and rural roots. With limited access to healthcare and resources, the town faces ongoing struggles—but Lucia's work is making a difference one step at a time. 💪
Tune in to hear about Lucia’s experiences, her community’s resilience, and the miracles needed to bring health equity to frontier towns like Wendover.
🎧 Listen now and be inspired by Lucia’s unwavering commitment to her community!
#Podcast #HealthcareAccess #HealthEquity #RuralHealth #WendoverUtah #CHW #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #FrontierTown
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
Wednesday Apr 24, 2024
Join hosts Oreta and Kamaile as they dive into the stories of Pacific Islanders making waves in their communities and beyond.
In this special episode, Oreta and Kamaile sit down with Lusia Tamala, a student from the University of Utah, along with her mentors Dr. Mary Playdon and Dr. William Holland. Together, they explore Lusia's journey as a Haumana o' Pasifika student intern, delving into her experiences shadowing medical professionals and conducting groundbreaking research at the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Discover how Lusia navigates her path towards her dream career while embracing her Pacific Islander heritage. Dr. Playdon and Dr. Holland also share invaluable insights into their efforts to enhance access to education, wellness, and research tailored to the unique experiences of Pacific Islanders.
~ Mahalo
Lusia Tamala & Dr. Mary Playdon
Dr. William Holland
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
On this episode Kamaile and Oreta are joined by fellow Community Health Worker, Yeny Arones. It is National Community Health Workers week! Join our hosts and guest as they share information about this vital healthcare workforce and celebrate the many ways CHWs eliminate barriers, assist with systems navigation and build self-advocacy in others.
For more information about the Utah Community Health Worker's Association, go to www.uchwa.org
Utah residents, to be connected with a Community Health Worker, go to https://ualhd.org/ to find your local health department. There is a team of CHWs ready to help you!
Or feel free to send us an IM at https://www.facebook.com/TheIslandWave/
~ Mahalo
Monday Apr 10, 2023
Monday Apr 10, 2023
On this episode, Kamaile and JR Hardman share an interview and conversation they had with Dr. Jonathan Osorio. An Associate Producer of PBS Utah, JR is joining Kamaile in an effort to create a documentary about Iosepa, Utah from the Native Hawaiian history and perspective. As Hawaii's beloved historian, educator and musician; Dr. Osorio teaches them the history of Hawaii to give a perspective of what the people of Iosepa were experiencing at the time they left.
Dr. Osorio shares details of the transfer of power during the time of the first missionaries. We learn about the populations experiences after discovery, the wave of health disparities, the political and economic changes Hawaii is experiencing at the time. The deeper changes for the people in the control of land, language, religion and even their weekly calendar. Dr. Osorio shares details of Hawaii's ruling monarchs of the time. JR then went to Hawaii for a week, visiting various destinations. Hear the conversation Kamaile and JR have, when she returns from her trip ~ Mahalo
Monday Mar 06, 2023
Monday Mar 06, 2023
Aloha, We have teamed up with the Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce to bring you this special series. On our first show we get to know, Tooele County Community Health Worker, Damianah Lupeamanu.
We learn about her story, her efforts as a Manager at the Road Home Shelter and her efforts to conduct a needs assessment in the Tooele County Pacific Island Community. We discuss the subject of Community Engagement and what it is like for our Pacific Island people, but also how the broader community can effectively engage with us.
Our panel answers questions about our Pacific Island regions, our history, the contrast of tradition on the Islands and in the continental United States. As always we ask the hard questions and encourage you to stand up, be counted, be heard ~ Mahalo
For more information about the Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce, go to:
Complete the PICC Utah Pacific Island owned Business needs assessment here.
If you would like to connect with a Community Health Worker in Tooele, Utah, send an email to chw@pik2ar.org
Complete the Pacific Islander Tooele County resident needs assessment here.
Monday Feb 27, 2023
Monday Feb 27, 2023
We are excited to share this special episode with you. Our Producer, Kamaile, chats with Irish Family Historian and Cousin, Jack Johnston of County Tyrone, Ireland. Joining Kamaile for this episode is her mom, Hawaiian Family Historian, Noelani Phillips.
We learn about Jack's journey as a historian, his work to connect sides during the troubles; He also helps clear up and shed light on some family legends. We hear about the connection made between Jack and four generations of Kamaile's family. The family had no knowledge of their link to Ireland until Kamaile's Great-great-grandfather confessed to his son that he had changed his name and run away from home in Ireland. That son, Kamaile calls Tutu Man, returned to Ireland in 1976 to meet his family. This trip would influence the trajectory of Jack's life as he then focused on his career as a historian.
Jack has corresponded with cousins all over the world, which produced some books so is now Author of; The Clogher Story and The Johnstons of Aughendrummond and Annagarvey.
According to the US Census Bureau, over 30 million Americans can trace their roots back to Ireland. Be on the lookout for the annual St. Patrick's Day sale from Ancestry DNA.
Family Members can request a transcript and video recording of this show by sending an email to theislandwavepodcast@gmail.com ~ Mahalo
Thursday Jan 12, 2023
Thursday Jan 12, 2023
On this episode Kamaile introduces us to the work of Ty Bellamy, Founder of the Black Lives for Humanity Movement Group. A Community Health Worker who addresses the immediate needs of the Unsheltered Community. Going right to the individual, providing food, clothing, advocacy and support.
Learn about Ty's efforts to create safe space and healing for our Unsheltered Relatives. As a one person operation, Ty is dedicated to showing up for the needs of those in need. Hear the influence behind their passion to serve the community. We talk about chronic homelessness, addiction and healing.
Ty shares their hopes and plans for their work. Please listen and if you are able, support Ty's work by sending a contribution to their Venmo funds. For more information about the organization or to connect with Ty personally, follow the links below ~ Mahalo
Black Lives For Humanity Movement Group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2549635111952353
Ty Bellamy
https://www.facebook.com/ty.bellamy.37
Wednesday Jan 11, 2023
Wednesday Jan 11, 2023
On this episode Oreta and Kamaile get to know the new Director of Utah's Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce, Alyn Toalepai. Also the owner of Koko Creations Company Instant Koko Samoa Hot Drinks. We learn about the idea behind the product and the moment he knew he had a product his Samoan people could embrace. Hear about his journey through the hospitality industry and the community minded values that he brings to the PIK2AR ecosystem.
We talk about the need for educational equity in our community and how the Chamber hopes to foster this connection for our Pacific Island people in the State of Utah. Find out about how you can get involved with their programs and events this year.
~ Malo
Here are links to the information provided in our show;
Koko Creations Company
https://www.kokocreationscompany.com/s/order?location=11ec985a73aff006a7d5ac1f6bbba828
Utah Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce
Utah Pacific Islander Health Coalition
Pacific Island Knowledge to Action Resources
Saturday Jan 07, 2023
Saturday Jan 07, 2023
Happy New Year! On this episode Oreta and Kamaile talk with the Men of the Behind the Lavalava Podcast. All Samoan US Veterans, they connected in the service and have maintained a strong bond through their love of the game "Call of duty". Seeing each other through love, family and loss; They are now united through their podcast which addresses all relevant subjects to their demographic. Even the tapu or taboo.
They share their experiences being raised by parents from the island, of different cultures and means. We hear about their journey through depression, anxiety and share their pathway to receiving support. We look forward to supporting their work and visiting with them again.
The Behind the Lavalava Podcast is an official retailer of Matai Watches. To hear their current and past episodes, go to https://behindthelavalava.buzzsprout.com/.
For more information about the Kava Talks Men's Support Group, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/kavatalk/
~ Mahalo
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
Tuesday Aug 30, 2022
On this episode we talk to Lonzo Liggins, Co-host of the Roots, Race & Culture show on PBS Utah. We get to know about his experience growing up on the east side of Salt Lake City. We learn about his journey through his career as an actor. We hear about his journey to becoming Co-host of a PBS Utah show.
As always we ask the hard questions and share space for important conversation. We share the importance of knowing our own roots, and the diverse cultures of our Community neighbors. We learn about plans for season 2 of Roots, Race & Culture and hear some insights about Pacific Island culture.