The Island Wave

The Island Wave with Jolisna Hong of Ladies In Bloom

🌊 The Island Wave Podcast 🌊

🎙️ New Episode! Hosts Oreta Tupola and Kamaile Tripp sit down with Jolisna Hong, founder of Ladies in Bloom, a powerful organization dedicated to empowering young women through self-love, education, and advocacy.

🌺 Our Vision: Ladies in Bloom uplifts young women by focusing on four key pillars:
✨ Self-Love – Building confidence and emotional well-being
🩺 Feminine Healthcare – Promoting knowledge of reproductive health and self-care
📚 Education – Transforming lives through learning
🚨 Domestic Violence Awareness – Equipping young women with the tools to protect themselves and others

In this episode, we dive into Jolisna’s inspiring journey, the passion behind her work, and how her heritage shapes her mission. Learn about the impactful programs Ladies in Bloom offers and how YOU can support this movement!

🎧 Tune in now! Don’t miss this insightful and uplifting conversation. Mahalo! 💙 #TheIslandWavePodcast #LadiesInBloom #EmpowerYoungWomen #SelfLove #Education #PolynesianHeritage

The Island Wave Podcast With Ciriac Alvarez Valle and Jeannette Villalta

On this episode of the Island Wave Podcast, Oreta and Kamaile welcome community experts; Ciriac Alvarez Valle with Voices for Utah Children and Jeannette Villalta, CHW with Vamos Healthcare. 

Join us as our panel unpacks the latest executive orders that have profoundly impacted the communities we serve. Learn about your rights—regardless of your immigration status—and gain valuable insights on how to navigate these changes.

Our guests share messages of solidarity, empowerment, and unwavering support, reminding us that we stand together. We will not stop fighting for justice and will continue advocating for our diverse communities.

For more information about Emergency Family Planning and to know your Immigrant Rights, go to the Utah Immigrant Advocacy Coalition.

Mahalo!

The Island Wave Podcast with Celina Diaz and South Main Student LED Clinic Leaders

On this episode, Oreta and Kamaile sit down with an incredible panel of guests:

• Celina Diaz, a Clinical Community Health Worker at the University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine.
• Michael Anaafi and Brooke Larson, University of Utah Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Students and Leaders of the South Main Student-Led Clinic.

We delve deep into their inspiring backgrounds, the motivations that led them to medicine, and the unique journeys they've embarked upon.

Join us as we explore the inner workings of the South Main Clinic, a remarkable initiative that addresses the social determinants of health for its patients. We'll discuss:

• The clinic's unique approach to patient care, including tailored interventions and resource connections.
• The vital role of community engagement in improving health outcomes.
• The diverse perspectives and life lessons our panelists bring to the table, reflecting the rich tapestry of the Utah community.

This episode offers a glimpse into the compassionate and innovative spirit of healthcare, and the profound impact it can have on individuals and communities.

To book an appointment at the South Main Student-Led Clinic, call (801) 587-2525 ~ Mahalo

The Island Wave Podcast Community Health Worker Series Episode 11: Lucia Benitez - Wendover, Utah

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

The Island Wave Podcast with Lusia Tamala, Dr. Mary Playdon and Dr. William Holland

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

The Island Wave Podcast with the Utah Community Health Worker’s Association ~

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

 

The Island Wave Podcast with Dr. Jonathan Osorio and JR Hardman of PBS Utah

                             

 

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

 

Damianah Lupeamanu - The Island Wave Podcast with the Utah Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce

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: 

www.PIChamber.org

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. 

 

 

The Island Wave Podcast with Jack Johnston - Irish Family Historian

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

 

The Island Wave Podcast Community Health Worker Series Episode 10: Ty Bellamy

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