This dramatic dog rescue in Ka’a’awa  is nothing short of a miracle. Over 1,000+ feet up on a steep Hawaii trailhead was Stevie , the dog, curled up, injured, scared and trapped between two precarious cliffs. Her being alive was a miracle. It’s estimated she had been injured and stuck at cliff’s edge for over several days and was deteriorating quickly. Enter our hero, Sergio Florian , who went out for a late-in-the-day training run and came upon the injured dog. Sergio is not your average Joe. Far from it! He is an endurance athlete, an ultrarunner and a neuro spinal cord physical therapist. Sergio’s mission and passion is transforming lives everyday in a big way, not only at his clinic, Wellness Neuro & SCI , but throughout his local community and beyond. Because of his elite physical fitness and mental determination that day, he was able to bring Stevie safely down the mountain, find the owner and reunite them. Because he always journals and videos his training sessions, he was able to share this amazing rescue with us and pretty much the world via social media! Any movement at all, however small, is better than no movement at all, he says. His goal is to bring movement to the masses, and he is diligently succeeding. He organizes local events to raise awareness to movement, such as one that included him running the perimeter of Oahu, 135 miles, which, coincidentally, was three years to the day that he rescued Stevie! Sergio challenges himself in much the same way as he challenges his clients; whatever movement is attainable, that’s the goal! His inspiration is contagious. He definitely walks the walk and talks the talk. Sergio initially got into running because of his own health issues, and it morphed into competing in ultra marathons and endurance runs, both locally and throughout the world. His last race in October 2023 was a 100 miler, The , Kodiak Ultra Marathon UTMB in Big Bear Lake  CA. He mentioned the hardest and longest race he participated in was the Puerto Vallarta Mexico UTMB race, which was 33:41:53 hours! Aye Caramba! He is currently training for the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc aka the UTMB World Series . This mountainous endurance race follows the route of the Tour du Mont Blanc through France, Italy and Switzerland. It has a distance of approximately 106 miles and a total elevation gain of around 32,940 ft. More of his super powers at play here!

Sergio told me people tell him he’s crazy! I beg to differ. I see a driven, passionate and dedicated individual who pushes himself to the outer limits and gives it back in the same fashion to carry out his fitness philosophy:  Movement is Life!

Hawaii is rooting for you this August, Sergio!!

Mahalo for being such an inspiration to us all!

#dogrescue #ultrarunner #physicaltherapist #enduranceathlete #utmbworldseries #borntorun #movementislife #disabilityadvocacy #hiking #oahu #traumaticbraininjury #spinalcordinjury

Ultra Running Magazine

UTMB Mont Blanc

Wellness Neuro & SCI

Hawaii Video Pro

Come and take a tour of Island Sound Studios and see where some of the biggest recording artists on the planet have come to create their hits. Designed as a custom personal recording studio in 1999 by studio bau:ton for the famous Japanese producer, composer and musician “TK” Tetsuyo Komuro, to opening commercially as Avex Honolulu Studios in 2003, and then as Island Sound Studios in 2013, it continues as a timeless architectural and visionary masterpiece combining art and technology, with an intense purpose and mission for acoustical performance. To further explore, check out nonzero/architecture and their media facilities division studio bau:ton. Island Sound Studios is also proudly featured in the book of architectural wonders, Soundspace , Architecture for Sound & Vision by Peter Grueneisen . Located in Hawaii Kai on a private portion of the Marina, Island Sound Studios is completely under the radar, and just how their world-class clients prefer. How many recording studios have a dockside lounge loaded with fun and games, and can whisk you away for a cruise on the water? None. And all this presents as you are just walking in the door. Secluded curb appeal in paradise, with views of the Marina & Koko Head, and inside is a state of the art, mind-boggling recording facility. In 2022, the Spicer brothers, Bryan & Kyle, resuscitated Island Sounds Studios, which had been silent for several years. What a dynamic duo! Bryan has been a film director and television producer for over 4 decades and Kyle has been a recording artist, producer and engineer, a music man, for 25+years. Together they have revived this world class 10,000sf recording studio, continuing the superstar legacy, as well as creating a hub for local musicians and up and coming artists; and giving back to the community big time. More to come on that. Let’s drop a “few” names that have recorded their hits at this awe-inspiring recording studio throughout the years: Henry Kapono , Jake Shimabukuro, Kalapana, John Cruz, Willie K., Kapono Beamer, 3 Scoops of Aloha, Ohta San…….along with Kanye West, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, Common, Frank Ocean, Mac Miller, Beyoncé, Rihanna, John Legend, Eddie Vedder, Justin Bieber, Mariah Carey, Elton John….. it’s a beeg, beeg list, locally and globally. With all the technology and expertise inside this incredible facility, of course ISS is ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) Certified, which translates into enhancing audio quality by re-recording dialogue used in films, TV and gaming. They provide animation dialogue recording, audiobook recordings for storytelling, brand audio advertising…… hey, let’s stop it here and just say….Island Sound Studios is all encompassing for whatever your artistic recording needs may be, period. Oh, and the more to come: NOW OPEN! The Lounge at Island Studios. Live performances, up close and personal with the artists, hand-crafted cocktails, pupus, 2 dance floors, 3 live stages, a studio speakeasy & dockside lounge! Now that’s maximizing! Big Mahalos to Kyle & Bryan for the unforgettable tour, stories and good fun! See ya on my next episode of The American Dream, Hwn Style….

HwnTrivia:  Who opened up a restaurant in 1987 in this exact location called “Dockside Plantation” And who remembers that???

@Sofarsounds @Spicermedia @sightsoundproductions2916 @MixMagazine @HawaiiVideoPro #recordingartist#music#recordingstudio#hiphopmusic#hawaiianmusic #americandreamtv#hawaiirealestate#architecture

Bailey’s Antiques & Aloha Shirts, aka Bailey’s Aloha Shirts, In Kapahulu is the largest dealer of aloha shirts in the world, and David and Bari Bailey have been sharing the aloha spirit for over 40 years. Prepare yourself for a visual explosion, as every inch of their 15,000sf store is alive with a story and a shirt. David & Bari have been antique and vintage collectors since the late 1960s. It’s a treasure hunt when shopping at their store; be ready to enjoy and explore all the cubbyholes. From locals to tourists to movie and rock stars, they all walk out with an aloha shirt and a part of Hawaii. And it’s not just wearable art. The aloha shirt is also cherished on the walls of many collectors throughout the islands and the world. I asked David the cost of the most expensive aloha shirt — there’s never a short answer. 😉 But apparently Nicholas Cage paid $17,000 or more for one in Europe. He also bought a boat load at Bailey’s, too, as did Anthony Bourdain , Jimmy Buffett, Rob Schneider, Hawaii 5-0, Magnum, and the list goes on and on and on. I was in the store one afternoon prepping for this segment, and discovered Dale Hope’s  book, which was buried under layers of other books and items on top of a counter where vintage Nike shoes were displayed. I have no idea how I was able to spark out this book. I asked if I could borrow it, and David said it would give me more information than I ever needed to know about the aloha shirt. He wasn’t kidding! It’s a fascinating book, “The Aloha Shirt -Spirit of the Islands”.  A visual & textile Hawaiian history lesson that includes all the legends and so many precious memories of Hawaii. I now can’t walk into a store without checking out the hang tags and the buttons on whatever piece of clothing I’m interested in. It’s a debatable subject who created and sold the first aloha shirt, (Musa-Shiya the Shirtmaker?) but the Golden Age (1930s+) truly was such an inspirational time period. And our Ambassador of Aloha, Duke Kahanamoku, was immensely instrumental in creating the love for the aloha shirt. Read da book! “The Aloha Shirt,” so many fun and entertaining facts! Big Mahalos to David & Bari for talking story and sharing their store!

Now….. check out this beautiful vacant lot for sale in Lulani Ocean neighborhood in Kahalu’u at 47-251 Iuiu Street. 11,275sf of gorgeous prime Hawaii real estate to build your dream home on. Jaw-dropping sunrises and moonrises at your doorstep. Kaneohe Bay is your all-encompassing recreational playground for ocean activities. Did you know Kaneohe Bay is the largest body of sheltered water in the Hawaiian chain? Fishing, diving, snorkeling, SUP, kayaking, one-man (wut?) one-woman canoe, BBQ at the sandbar, boating, make it up as you go! If it requires water to have fun, then Kaneohe Bay accommodates. Heeia Kea Boat Harbor is 5 minutes nearby to launch your boat. This property has plenty of room to park your boat and all your toys. Calling all builders and contractors! Mahalo nui loa for watching this segment of The American Dream  , Hwn Style….

#alohashirt#hawaii#textile#vintage#buildyourdreamhome#hawaiirealestate#oceanviews

#thealohashirt#kaneohelifestyle

Dale Hope

Restoring this ancient Hawaiian fishpond located in Kane’ohe Bay and He’eia Uli (wetlands) has been a monumental project led by Paepae o He’eia, a private non-profit organization and educational powerhouse within our local community. Today we talk story with Keli’i Kotubetey, Founder and Assistant Executive Director of Paepae o Heeia. Keli’i is humble and full of knowledge. It was pure joy meeting him and learning more about their organization. The Heeia Fishpond is estimated to be between 600 to 800 years old, and the pohaku walls consist of 1.3 miles that fully enclose this manmade 88-acre cultural treasure. In the mid-1960s, a severe flood damaged portions of the wall, and despite efforts throughout the years by several individuals, the fishpond never fully functioned again until Paepae o He’eia took charge. Their mission and vision is to restore and maintain this traditional ancient Hawaiian resource, to educate and teach the wisdom of their ancestors throughout the local communities and globally, and to revitalize sustainable fish farming practices. I have watched Paepae and the thousands of volunteers over many years undauntedly remove massive, humongous amounts of mangrove which were destroying the structural integrity of the fishpond’s wall, and upon doing so eventually created one of the most epic scenic spots on the Windward side. I have watched the walls being restored while they have hauled, moved, repositioned and carried thousands upon thousands of tons of volcanic rock and coral. I have watched the hales and makaha being built one by one, as it simply whisks you back in time and you feel the life that was. This is only what I can see from driving by or hanging out at He’eia State Park and taking in the mesmerizing views of the Fishpond, ‘Ioleka’a Valley and the Ko’olau Mountain Range……..chicken skin Imagine what I haven’t seen as boots on the ground? So I took my imagination and we went to volunteer one morning. One needs to have covered shoes, a hat, sunscreen, water and clothes you don’t care about getting dirty, very dirty. That’s not hard for me since I’m a Kahalu’u girl anyway. All of the volunteers that day were experienced, maybe around 15 of us. Everyone was so nice and engaging. We started out with a pule and then took our marching orders. A big pile of rocks that were recently delivered needed to be hauled to another area. Some of the rocks we could lift by ourselves, but many took two or three people to lift and put into the Gator to haul away. Cargo nets were a must to move the heavier rocks. We also loaded coral into 5-gallon buckets and moved to an area to make room for another load of rock being delivered. We did this for about an hour or so, took a break, and then grabbed lopper tools and gloves and headed to the mangrove, as the chainsaws were still buzzing from hours earlier. We started cutting back mangrove and taking out waist-high weeds. This area is wetlands, and it’s mucky, sloppy and stinky. Because it is so dense in this particular spot, it was hot and humid with no tradewinds or breeze coming through. Everyone talked story while cutting, pulling, sweating and me small kine moaning. It’s amazing how fast the morning went by. We must have done this for another hour or so and then headed back to where there were tables and benches in the shade facing the ocean and we could sit or lay down. We drank water, rinsed off our feet at the outside shower, talked story some more, ate some apple bananas, and then called it a day. My imagination was still working and I pondered how doing this almost everyday for the last 20 years must feel. Rewarding came to mind. Paepae has created a legacy, and so many people have contributed. Paepae o Heeia has enriched our local communities by implementing the teachings of their Hawaiian ancestors through various eco-cultural education projects catering to pre-school through kupuna participants, partnering with Hawaiian-based charter schools, integrating a UH Manoa Hawaiian Studies 300-level Malama Loko I’a course, and collaborating in many ongoing research projects. They offer field trips that can be tailored to a particular class subject or teacher’s interest, such as Hawaiian history, biology, marine science, social science, math & more. Visiting Paepae o Heeia is an experience you will forever remember. You can volunteer for a Saturday community workday or a weekday morning. Both require RSVPs. Paepae also offers two different paid youth internship opportunities during the fall and summer months. Come and see how an ancient traditional Hawaiian fishpond operates and learn its history and experience the culture. Promise you will be enriched. Mahalo Paepae o Heeia! Mahalo everyone for watching my segment of The American Dream Hwn Style!

#kaneohebay#traditional#ancientfishpond#sustainableliving#restoration#oahu#rocks#walls#fishing#lifestylerealtor @PaepaeoHeeia @HawaiiVideoPro @TheAmericanDreamTV