Bridging the Gap: Conversations Connecting Hawaii

Retired Brigadier General Moses Kaoiwi Jr. sits down with Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies for a conversation rooted in service, identity, and connection.

From McKinley High to Adjutant General, Major General Stephen Logan's journey is rooted right here in Hawaiʻi. Local roots matter when it comes to leading our Hawaii National Guard. Always ready for Hawaiʻi, always ready for the nation.

In this episode of Bridging the Gap: Conversations Connecting Hawai‘i, host Daniel Aipa sits down with Amy Miller, CEO & President of Hawai‘i Foodbank, and Keola Taniguchi, Executive Director of Armed Services YMCA Hawaii.Together, they discuss the realities of food insecurity across the islands—where 1 in 3 households face hunger and 1 in 10 families go whole days without eating—and how collaboration is creating pathways to stability and support.

Born and raised in Hilo, Noe Kalipi shares how her path to public service began on the baseball field—and led to roles with Congress, the U.S. Army, and now the Secretary of Defense.

Tune in to hear how a Lemon Chicken Fried Rice plate from Mung Cheong Lau sparked Retired Brigadier General Moses Kaoiwi, Jr.’s incredible 39-year, 10-month, and 18-day military journey.

What does it mean to serve Hawai‘i beyond the shoreline?Rear Admiral Brad J. Collins, Commander of Navy Region Hawai‘i, joins us to talk about the Navy’s deep ties to Hawai‘i, its evolving role in the Indo-Pacific, and how sailors are strengthening local communities through environmental efforts, partnerships, and the Laulima Navy initiative.This episode marks a powerful milestone - 250 years of the U.S. Navy, celebrated through action, not just ceremony.

In this episode, Lt. Gen. Laura L. Lenderman, Deputy Commander of U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), joins us to talk about the U.S. Air Force’s 77th birthday, PACAF’s mission in the Indo-Pacific, and how the Air Force continues to engage with communities here in Hawai‘i.

From regional security to local connection, U.S. Army Pacific plays a unique role across Hawai‘i and the Indo-Pacific. In our latest episode, we talk with USARPAC leadership about what service looks like today, and what the next 250 years may hold.

This week’s Bridging the Gap episode features Captain Nicholas Worst, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Honolulu.We dive into how the U.S. Coast Guard protects Hawai‘i’s shores, responds to maritime emergencies, supports environmental stewardship, and works hand-in-hand with local partners across the Pacific.⚓ From search and rescue to safeguarding sacred waters, the Coast Guard’s story is one of service, readiness, and aloha.

We sat down with Colonel Beaven of Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i to talk about the upcoming Kāne‘ohe Bay Air Show, what it means to be “mission ready” in the Islands, and how the Marine Corps is working to strengthen its relationship with local communities.

In this episode of Bridging the Gap: Conversations Connecting Hawai‘i, we sit down with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Honolulu District to explore their wide-ranging mission across the Pacific. From disaster recovery and climate resilience to infrastructure and cultural preservation, USACE plays a vital role in Hawai‘i’s future. Learn how this team of military and civilian engineers partners with local communities to deliver solutions rooted in innovation, respect, and aloha.

In our debut episode, host Daniel Aipa sits down with Laurel “Laurie” Moore and John Greene, director and deputy director of Hawai‘i’s Military and Community Relations Office (MACRO). Together, they unpack what MACRO is, why it was created, and how it’s working to foster mutual understanding, transparency, and trust between the military and local communities. This candid conversation sets the tone for what’s ahead.