Meet Kai Uyehara, originally from the south shore of Oʻahu, who is helping revitalize the traditional art of making Hawaiian fishnets. Kai shares about his love of the ocean and how his reverence for Hawaiian culture continues to grow. From learning how to throw net to spending long hours observing the shoreline, he reflects on how slowing down and going analog has shaped the way he approaches fishing, community and life in Hawaiʻi. In this conversation, Kai explains how so many parts of his story begin with - and circle back to - the YMCA. It’s where his parents met, where he first discovered a love for ʻāina as a teenager, and where he has now worked for more than a decade. Along the way, mentors welcomed him in and shared their knowledge and practices, from farming to making throw nets, that continue to guide his path today. Through these relationships, Kai has paid it forward by mentoring youth and helping keep cultural traditions alive in the present day. Episode Highlights 00:49 Throwing net, making friends 03:28 Growing up on Oʻahu's south shore 05:23 The moment throw nets clicked 06:52 From appearances to cultural perpetuation 09:21 Learning how to make Hawaiian fishnets 12:02 Belonging and hā (breath) 18:29 What fishing looks like today 21:05 ʻĀina and spirituality 21:59 When nature responds - the puhi story 23:47 Knowing when to stop 25:01 Chanting at the lele 28:30 Kilo and reading ocean signs 29:17 Why I never sell nets 31:13 Trading, time, and value 34:13 Teaching takes commitment 35:47 YMCA roots 39:11 Coming full circle Check out Kai’s work at the YMCA and their student spring break trip on Molokaʻi: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCItXIhxl6g Photo Credit: Kai Uyehara
Meet Kai Uyehara, originally from the south shore of Oʻahu, who is helping revitalize the traditional art of making Hawaiian fishnets. Kai shares about his love of the ocean and how his reverence for Hawaiian culture continues to grow. From learning how to throw net to spending long hours observing the shoreline, he reflects on how slowing down and going analog has shaped the way he approaches fishing, community and life in Hawaiʻi.
In this conversation, Kai explains how so many parts of his story begin with - and circle back to - the YMCA. It’s where his parents met, where he first discovered a love for ʻāina as a teenager, and where he has now worked for more than a decade. Along the way, mentors welcomed him in and shared their knowledge and practices, from farming to making throw nets, that continue to guide his path today. Through these relationships, Kai has paid it forward by mentoring youth and helping keep cultural traditions alive in the present day.
Episode Highlights
00:49 Throwing net, making friends
03:28 Growing up on Oʻahu's south shore
05:23 The moment throw nets clicked
06:52 From looking cool to cultural perpetuation
09:21 Learning how to make Hawaiian fishnets
12:02 Belonging and hā (breath)
18:29 What fishing looks like today
21:05 ʻĀina and spirituality
21:59 When nature responds - the puhi (moray eel) story
23:47 Knowing when to stop
25:01 Chanting at the lele (altar)
28:30 Kilo and reading ocean signs
29:17 Why I never sell nets
31:13 Trading, time, and value
34:13 Teaching takes commitment
35:47 YMCA roots
39:11 Coming full circle
Check out Kai’s work at the YMCA and their student spring break trip on Molokaʻi:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCItXIhxl6g
Photo Credit: Kai Uyehara