This episode is a back porch conversation from the heart with Uncle John, a humorous, resilient, heart on his sleeve kind of person who has lived a life full of unexpected turns. Born premature and fighting for his life from the very beginning, John has carried that same determination through growing up in Maunalua (Hawaiʻi Kai), Oʻahu, forming lifelong friendships, and working for years in road construction before building a new life between Las Vegas and Hawaiʻi. He opens up about battling stage four prostate cancer, navigating heartbreak, and finding his way through difficult moments without losing his capacity to love. With so much lived experience, John now finds joy in cooking for his kids and grandkids, connecting with old friends, creating art, and watching sunsets. He does his best to lean into aloha wherever he goes, even when the world around him feels less than friendly. This is a conversation about finding the reasons to "keep kicking for life." Mahalo for tuning in. Episode Highlights 01:27 A miracle birth story 02:34 Growing up Hawaiʻi Kai 04:11 Exploring the bay and mountains 05:23 Fishing, crabbing and change 05:56 Volunteering and mentoring kids 08:01 Caring for Hawaiʻi 09:49 Cancer diagnosis and survival 12:59 Faith 15:40 Forgiveness and letting go 17:27 What makes his heart beat 18:31 Family, friends and future plans 19:36 Staying healthy 20:23 Sunsets 21:08 ʻOhana is everything 21:38 Cooking and connection 22:58 Friends are the foundation 23:41 Cancer testimony and lessons 25:12 First jobs and teen years 26:27 Roadwork to Vegas move 28:00 Trades and homebuilding 28:42 Art 30:31 Aloha story in Vegas 35:16 Advice 37:16 For the kids
This episode is a back porch conversation from the heart with Uncle John, a humorous, resilient, heart on his sleeve kind of person who has lived a life full of unexpected turns. Born premature and fighting for his life from the very beginning, John has carried that same determination through growing up in Maunalua (Hawaiʻi Kai), Oʻahu, forming lifelong friendships, and working for years in road construction before building a new life between Las Vegas and Hawaiʻi. He opens up about battling stage four prostate cancer, navigating heartbreak, and finding his way through difficult moments without losing his capacity to love. With so much lived experience, John now finds joy in cooking for his kids and grandkids, connecting with old friends, creating art, and watching sunsets. He does his best to lean into aloha wherever he goes, even when the world around him feels less than friendly. This is a conversation about finding the reasons to "keep kicking for life." Mahalo for tuning in.
Episode Highlights
01:27 A miracle birth story
02:34 Growing up Hawaiʻi Kai
04:11 Exploring the bay and mountains
05:23 Fishing, crabbing and change
05:56 Volunteering and mentoring kids
08:01 Caring for Hawaiʻi
09:49 Cancer diagnosis and survival
12:59 Faith
15:40 Forgiveness and letting go
17:27 What makes his heart beat
18:31 Family, friends and future plans
19:36 Staying healthy
20:23 Sunsets
21:08 ʻOhana is everything
21:38 Cooking and connection
22:58 Friends are the foundation
23:41 Cancer testimony and lessons
25:12 First jobs and teen years
26:27 Roadwork to Vegas move
28:00 Trades and homebuilding
28:42 Art
30:31 Aloha story in Vegas
35:16 Advice
37:16 For the kids