PODCAST · education
'Iolani School Podcast
by 'Iolani School
The 'Iolani School Podcast features conversations with a wide variety of people associated with the K-12 college preparatory school based in Honolulu, Hawai'i, that was founded in 1863. Hosted by John Tamanaha, the school's Director of Interactive Media, the podcast will often make you feel like a fly on the wall of the Faculty Lounge. Jacob Gabriel is the podcast's audio engineer.
Episodes
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Wendell Look '78 -- Ka Mo'olelo O 'Iolani Dedicatee
At the end of the 2025-26 school year, the 103rd edition of Ka Mo'olelo O 'Iolani was dedicated to Mr. Wendell Look '78, who served our school for 43 years, including 35 seasons as head football coach. On his second-to-last day before retirement, he shared stories about Eddie Hamada '46, Harold...
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C.J. Villanueva '26 -- Father Bray Award recipient
Standout scholar-athlete C.J. Villanueva '26 contributed to 'Iolani School in many special ways during the past six years. Two days before Commencement, he shares stories and thoughts that kept relating back to resilience, gratitude and teamwork. His speech at Baccalaureate about dealing with…
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Leia Yongvanich -- Dean of Lower School
Deeply committed educator Mrs. Leia Yongvanich is in her first year as our Dean of Lower School. She shares stories about her path to Hawai'i, which includes many different locations and formative experiences. She also discusses the growth mindset approach to teaching and what it's like to be an...
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Miley Cox '25 -- Fourth-Year Boarding Student
One of 10 neighbor island students in the 2024-25 Residential Life Program, Miley Cox '25 contributed to 'Iolani School in many special ways during the past four years. She provides an insider's perspective on the boarding program and its cultural connections, and also shares stories about the...
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Chase Wiggins '06 -- Upper School English Teacher
While on sabbatical during the upcoming 2025-26 school year, Mr. Chase Wiggins '06 will be researching and completing a doctoral dissertation that will connect 'Iolani School's 19th-century founding with its 21st-century future. An Upper School English teacher since 2018, he also discusses his...
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Robin Hiraki -- Fifth-Grade Teacher
At the end of the 2023-24 school year, the 101st edition of Ka Mo'olelo O 'Iolani was dedicated to fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Robin Hiraki. She became the first Lower School teacher in 11 years to be honored as the 'Iolani yearbook dedicatee. The beloved longtime educator offers her humble...
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Michael Kostecki '24 -- U.S. Presidential Scholar
United States Presidential Scholar Michael Kostecki '24 shares his thoughts about a wonderful 13-year journey through 'Iolani School, which included a senior year that also saw him serve as a proconsul, earn the title of valedictorian, captain the boys soccer ILH championship team and publish his...
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Carey Inouye -- AP Physics Teacher
A cherished member of the faculty since 1977, Dr. Carey Inouye '66 shares his unparalleled perspective on 'Iolani School. Topics of discussion include his days as a student, The Rev. David P. Coon, Eddie Hamada '46, Gina Wang '22 and the Sullivan Center for Innovation and Leadership. Please...
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Risa Beer -- Film Production Teacher
After an award-winning career as a documentary filmmaker, Mrs. Risa Beer has taught Film Production in the Sullivan Center for Innovation and Leadership since the day it opened in 2013. During the past decade, several of her students have earned local, national and international accolades for…
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Erik Yamamoto '99 -- Associate Dean of Students
A beloved member of the faculty and administration since 2005, Mr. Erik Yamamoto '99 has contributed to our 'Iolani School community and "One Team" culture in many roles and ways, most recently as Associate Dean of Students. Ha'aheo Dela Cruz '23 joined the podcast as a student co-host, helping...
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Manny Dayao '97 -- Performing Arts Department Head
Having learned in the spaces that he's now teaching in, Manny Dayao '97 shares his unique perspective on the performing arts at 'Iolani School. As the director of the marching band and current head of the Performing Arts Department, he stewards traditions of excellence established by the late…
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Andrew Park '22 -- Boarding Student & Valedictorian
A native of Seoul, South Korea, Andrew Park '22 arrived at 'Iolani in 2018, as a member of the school's first cohort of boarding students in 59 years. Two days before graduating as one of the Class of 2022 valedictorians, he shares an insider's perspective on the boarding program. He also talks...
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Sue Lee -- College Counseling Office Secretary
For the past three decades, every visitor to the College Counseling Office has been greeted by Sue Lee. No matter who you are or what you are looking for, she's there to help. Often times, "Aunty Sue" knows what you need before you ask. During this heartwarming discussion, she shares priceless...
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Lisa-Anne Tsuruda & Ryan Tsuruda '22 -- Upper School Teacher & Senior Proconsul
Upper School English teacher Lisa-Anne Tsuruda is also the co-advisor of the Class of 2022. Prior to joining the 'Iolani faculty in 2016, she was honored with the prestigious Milken Educator Award while teaching at Mililani High School. Her son Ryan Tsuruda is a member of the Class of 2022, one…
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Melanie Pfingsten -- Dean of Lower School
An integral member of the 'Iolani School community since 2001, Melanie Pfingsten is in her first year as Dean of Lower School. While overseeing our K-6 campus, which has exciting new spaces and continues to be transformed, she is also a parent of two Lower Schoolers. Previously, she was our Dean…
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Michael LaGory -- AP English Teacher
A beloved member of the 'Iolani School faculty since 1984, Dr. Michael LaGory has contributed to our community in many special ways and hundreds of graduates regard him as their favorite English teacher. He shares amusing stories about growing up in Ewa Beach, his college years in California and...
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John Vierra '21 -- Son of 'Iolani and Valedictorian
Before heading to Georgetown University, John Vierra '21 shares his message of "small things that make big impacts." A remarkable young man, who has contributed to our community in so many special ways, he also talks about his 13-year journey through 'Iolani School, what goes into being a...
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Kevin Wada -- Sodexo General Manager at 'Iolani School
In addition to providing a delicious and diverse menu, Mr. Kevin Wada and his dedicated staff organized and implemented new food service procedures that were an integral part of the campus reopening plan in September of 2020. Of course, one of the many topics discussed is the overwhelming...
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Lisa Lee Simon '88 -- Lower School Dance Teacher
A trailblazing educator, Mrs. Lisa Lee Simon '88 teaches "creative movement" to our youngest students in the new Sidney & Minnie Kosasa Performance Studios. She discusses the process within her curriculum and her deep passion for teaching. Of course, she also shares special stories and insight...
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Michael Fricano -- Design & Technology Teacher
Teaching design and technology to our youngest students in the new Kaneshiro Science & Innovation Center is Mr. Michael Fricano's dream job. An award-winning educator, his impact is further magnified since he also assists fellow teachers, helping them become comfortable with new technologies…
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Kathe Nose-Warner '82 -- Lower School Science Teacher
Teaching in the new Kaneshiro Science & Innovation Center is a recent "dream come true" for Mrs. Kathe Nose-Warner '82. An earlier one was becoming an 'Iolani student in 1980, just a year after the school went co-ed. She discusses her longtime love affair with 'Iolani School, which includes…
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Minh Ngo '21 -- Third-Year Boarding Student
A native of Vietnam, Minh Ngo '21 arrived at 'Iolani in 2018, as a member of the school's first cohort of boarding students in 59 years. Now a senior, he provides an insider's perspective on the boarding program and explains what drew him to 'Iolani. Known to many for his unforgettable portrayal…
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Gabriel Yanagihara -- Video Game Design Teacher
An iDepartment teacher since Day 1 of the Sullivan Center for Innovation and Leadership, Mr. Gabriel Yanagihara also has served as the head coach of 'Iolani School's eSports teams since 2019. The video game design teacher gets us up to speed on the eSports scene, in addition to providing valuable...
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Jeffrey Hackler '71 -- Longtime History Teacher
With a connection to 'Iolani School that spans seven decades, Mr. Jeffrey Hackler '71 has been a campus favorite as a student, teacher, colleague and friend. A U.S. History teacher for 37 years prior to his recent retirement, he shares stories, reflections and insights on a wide variety of...
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Benny Agbayani -- 'Iolani Head Softball Coach
Local sports legend Benny Agbayani, who coached the 'Iolani varsity softball team to the HHSAA State Championship in May of 2019, chats remotely a year later, after the 2020 season was officially canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A parent of an 'Iolani graduate and current student, he also...
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Rev. Tim Morehouse -- Upper School Chaplain
After just a few months on campus, Upper School Chaplain Rev. Tim Morehouse provides a newcomer's perspective of 'Iolani School and its unique culture. He also shares his refreshing insight on a wide variety of other subjects, including "One Team" lessons found in the Bible and the importance of...
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Allison Blankenship '02 -- Director of External Education Programs
More than a dozen years ago, Mrs. Allison Blankenship '02 researched and envisioned what a community partnership between 'Iolani School and Pālolo Valley would look like. This past summer, the KA'I Programs, which has continued to grow, celebrated its 10th anniversary. She takes us behind the...
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Taylor Venenciano '19 -- U.S. Presidential Scholar
Senior class president Taylor Venenciano '19 shares her thoughts about her seven-year journey at 'Iolani School, which concludes as a United States Presidential Scholar, championship athlete and indispensable leader. Truly a remarkable young woman, she is headed to Pomona College. Please…
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Dean Shimamoto '94 -- Former Boys Basketball Head Coach
Three-time state champion boys basketball coach Dean Shimamoto '94 surprised many people when he stepped down from his coaching position on March 1, 2019. Also a member of the school's Information Technology Services Department, he discusses his big decision, explains why he loves coaching so…
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Nate Chinen '94 -- 2019 Keables Chair Holder
Internationally acclaimed jazz music critic Nate Chinen '94 returned to 'Iolani as the 2019 Harold Keables Chair Holder. The Director of Editorial Content at WBGO (Newark, N.J.) and longtime New York Times writer touches on a little bit of everything, including how his 13-year journey as a Son of...
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Holly Chung -- Art Department Head
Creator of perhaps the most magical classroom on campus, mixed media art teacher Mrs. Holly Chung defines the word "art" and explains its role in an 'Iolani School education. The Art Department Head also provides insight on all her brilliant colleagues, who bring out the best in their students....
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Ernette Au -- AP Psychology Teacher
On the first day of her 44th year as an 'Iolani School teacher, Ms. Ernette Au shares her thoughts on a wide variety of subjects, including her longtime association with the 'Iolani Fair and the honor of being the faculty member with the most seniority. Please subscribe to the 'Iolani School...
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Chris Shimabukuro '85 -- Director of Legacy Giving
After a long association with Mr. Edward K. Hamada '46, first as one of his football players and later as a colleague in the Advancement Office, Mr. Chris Shimabukuro '85 is heading up a group that's establishing the Eddie Hamada Legacy Project. He discusses the origins of the project and much…
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Wendell Look '78 -- 'Iolani Head Football Coach
Prior to the start of the 2018 football season, featuring the new OIA-ILH interleague schedule, 'Iolani head coach Wendell Look '78 discusses the new format, looks back at previous years and talks about what he loves about the game of football. Please subscribe to the 'Iolani School Podcast. Mahalo!
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Stevie Roberts -- 2018 Ka Mo'olelo O 'Iolani Dedicatee
At the end of the 2017-18 school year, Painting Foreman Stevie Roberts had the yearbook dedicated to him. Originally from California, he began working within the 'Iolani School Maintenance Department in 1990, quickly becoming a one-of-a-kind campus favorite. Please subscribe to the 'Iolani School...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The 'Iolani School Podcast features conversations with a wide variety of people associated with the K-12 college preparatory school based in Honolulu, Hawai'i, that was founded in 1863. Hosted by John Tamanaha, the school's Director of Interactive Media, the podcast will often make you feel like a fly on the wall of the Faculty Lounge. Jacob Gabriel is the podcast's audio engineer.
HOSTED BY
'Iolani School
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does 'Iolani School Podcast have?
'Iolani School Podcast currently has 35 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is 'Iolani School Podcast about?
The 'Iolani School Podcast features conversations with a wide variety of people associated with the K-12 college preparatory school based in Honolulu, Hawai'i, that was founded in 1863. Hosted by John Tamanaha, the school's Director of Interactive Media, the podcast will often make you feel like a...
How often does 'Iolani School Podcast release new episodes?
'Iolani School Podcast has 35 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to 'Iolani School Podcast?
You can listen to 'Iolani School Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts 'Iolani School Podcast?
'Iolani School Podcast is created and hosted by 'Iolani School.
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