How Hawaiʻi's Great Teachers Keep Learning, Growing, and Changing Lives

In this episode of Defeating CAN'T, we share the inspiring story of the Hawaiʻi Great Teachers Seminar, a unique retreat that brings together some of Hawaiʻi's most dedicated and accomplished University of Hawaiʻi educators for a week of learning, reflection, and community.

Although the Spirit of CAN. team wasn't able to attend in person, we were honored to support the seminar by sending every participant a CAN. beanie and our CAN. Goal Cards. What began as a simple care package became a meaningful connection with a community of educators who believe the best teachers never stop learning.

Join us for a conversation with seminar leaders Erin Thompson and Amy Shiroma as we explore why investing in educators matters, how great teachers inspire one another, and the ripple effect they create in the lives of their students and communities.

If this episode inspires you and you'd like to support the Hawaiʻi Great Teachers Seminar, you can make a donation here:

Support the Hawaiʻi Great Teachers Seminar

Mahalo for listening, and as always, keep defeating CAN'T.

I also removed "that" from "believe that the best teachers..." because it reads a little more naturally.

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Remember, the discussions and concepts discussed in this podcast are for informational purposes only. If the 'can't" in your mind ever becomes too much, we encourage you to consult with a qualified professional. CAN. Ask for Help.

Transcript

Defeating CAN. Podcast – Hawaii Great Teachers Seminar

UH podcast

Keali'i: [00:00:00] Struggle is real. Struggle is true. All my people stand firm and I will stand with you. Struggle is real. Struggle is true.

Andy: Aloha and welcome back to another episode of the Defeating Camp podcast. I'm Andy Bestwick, founder of the Camp Brand and host of the Defeating Camp podcast. A couple of months ago, the Camp Brand was invited to contribute to the Hawaii Great Teachers Seminar, a remarkable retreat where approximately fifty-five of U- where approximately fifty-five of the University of Hawaii's most dedicated and accomplished educators gather for a week of learning, reflection, c- and community at the Kilauea Camp-- at the Kilauea Military Camp on the Big Island.

At a time when education is changing faster than ever, it's an opportunity for these incredible teachers to invest in themselves, learn from one another, and return to their students renewed, inspired, and ready to make a difference. We put together a modest care package that included a canned beanie for [00:01:00] every participant.

We knew they'd be spending time near Kilauea Volcano, where the evenings are surprisingly cold, so it felt like a small but meaningful way to support them. We also included our canned goal cards, hoping they'd encourage each other to write something down meaningful, what's next, and what they believe in. Our connection to this seminar came through Colleen, a teacher and member of the Hawaii Great Teacher Seminar. Colleen is Keali'i Ka'eimina'au's sister-in-law. sister-in-law.

Colleen is Keali'i Ka'eimina'au sister-in-law. As many of you know, Keali'i is a great friend of ours and a business partner in the Spirit of Can. Through Colleen, I was introduced to... Through Colleen, I was introduced to Dr. Aaron Thompson and Amy Shiroma, and eventually to this conversation The more I learned about their mission, the more I realized how deeply it connected with my own story. Junior college changed my life. They also call it Last Chance U. I wasn't strong-- I wasn't the strongest student in high school, but a community college gave me a second chance.

More importantly, it gave me professors who believed in me before I fully believed in myself. [00:02:00] They challenged me, encouraged me, and gave me a future I couldn't yet see. That's why this conversation means so much to me. The Hawaii Great Teacher Seminar exists to invest in people who invest in all of us. They create space where teachers can recharge, reconnect with their purpose, and return to the classrooms inspired to change even more lives.

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Andy: All better There you go. You guys are the best. I usually- Oh, my God, we're

Amy: recording.

Andy: Yes, we've done it.

Amy: It's so good to see you. It's

Andy: so good to see you. So how's the weather- So what time is

Amy: it over there?

Andy: Where are you? It's 1:00 PM.

Amy: Mm. Hmm.

Andy: Not bad. So, uh- Three hours ... thanks. You're on the

Amy: West Coast?

Andy: Yeah, yeah.

I'm in Vegas, so.

Amy: Oh, you're in

Andy: Vegas. Yeah, Henderson actually. Yep.

Amy: Oh.

Andy: And, uh- Oh, Henderson,

Amy: where all of Hawaii is.

Andy: It ... True. The, my- Yeah ... ca- my cable guy that came out yesterday, um, from, I can't remember, Leeward side, and then his wife is from Kekaha on Kauai. Mm-hmm. And it was just hilarious. It was, of course, so- Aw

hooked him up with some canned gear and- ... he hooked me up with my, my cable. So I-

Erin: Nice

Andy: little bartering there ... I have, uh ... Yeah, yep. [00:03:00] Yep. Um, but yeah. Yeah. Super awesome. It, it is kinda nice, like, I joke with my wife when people come over from Hawaii, I like don't want them to leave. I'm like- ... "Can we just talk a little longer?"

You know?

Erin: Aw,

Andy: I love that. It's just the pace and the ... All of it, you know what I mean? It's just great to connect with people. So- Mm-hmm ... it's a good, good city for that luckily. But, uh, nothing like, uh, the original. Uh. And you're both on Oahu?

Amy: Yes. We're-

Andy: Are you-

Amy: Yep.

Andy: Uh, where are you recording out of today? Is it a home or the school, yeah?

Amy: We're in my apartment in Mililani. Mm-hmm.

Andy: Oh, okay. Wonderful. Yeah. All right. Awesome. Um-

Erin: Her apartment slash we commandeered it for our studio. Yep.

Amy: I

Erin: know, I know. Very gracious. We

Amy: moved tables around. We like-

Andy: Nice. It's a great backdrop. I

Erin: mean, she has the nicest home, that's why. Yeah, yeah. And it's like the neatest home, so we're like-

Andy: Sure.

Erin: Oh, yeah. ...

Amy: because I have no kids and no pets. I get it. Same. They're like, "Oh, you have nothing in your living room." I said, "Yeah, it's all thrown in the- ... it's all thrown in the other room."

Andy: Um-

Amy: Aw ...

Andy: so wonderful. I [00:04:00] love that it's a, it's a dual podcast. We're, uh- Oh,

Amy: cool. I

Andy: mean, it's the two of us, right? It's, uh, Defeating CAN'T, and we have Inspired Aloha, so.

Yay.

Amy: Yeah. I know I told Erin, "Well, are we here for Hawaii Great Teachers?" So we have our- Great Teachers ... we have our staff shirts on.

Andy: Yes. I mean, that's, um- Are we

Amy: here for talk about

Erin: CAN'T,

Amy: or are we here for- Yeah, it's like 10 ... Inspired by Aloha? Welcome.

Andy: We're here for all of it. It's all three. Uh, it's- Well, let's just talk.

But I, you know, I in particular, um, I wasn't sure, we're kind of interviewing each other maybe. But, uh- ... I definitely would love, um, the audience to hear about Dr. Erin Thompson, professor at Leeward Community College- Yeah ... and coordinator of- Biola ... Hawaii Great Teachers Seminar. And then Amy, uh, is it Shiroma?

Amy: That's correct.

Andy: That's correct. Yay,

Amy: Amy.

Andy: And a faculty at Kapiolani Community College, coordinator and collaborator also of Hawaii Great Teachers Seminar. And both are co-host of Inspired by Aloha. So we've got that all- Yay ... out there in the world now. Wow.

Amy: We had a... Wow, there was a... Wow, we've never been interviewed, I realize.

Erin: Right. I mean, we interview each other all the

Andy: time. That's what we're doing today. Uh-

Amy: Oh, I guess I've... Yeah, I've been interviewed on our Kapiʻolani one. Oh, okay. But, like, you [00:05:00] know, five people listen to that one, so. Well, we'll do it

Andy: both. No, I'm

Amy: just

Andy: kidding. Just kidding,

Amy: Siobhan, you're listening. We're, we're still...

Andy: We'll just talk story and, uh, and we'll, we'll get to the bottom of all of it, right?

Erin: Aw. We're so happy to be here, Andy. Thank you

Andy: for inviting us. Me too. Uh, I, I, I really appreciate it. Yeah, thank you. And, and obviously I, I would love my audience to get to know, um, you know, how we're connected, but, you know, all about the work you're doing in the nonprofit.

And, um, obviously I was connected through Colleen on Kauai, who is your colleague. Woo-hoo. Yay, Colleen. Woo-hoo. And what's that?

Erin: Yay. We, we just make a lot of noises.

Andy: I like that. That works. That works. Um, yeah, she's wonderful and, uh- Yeah ... and she told me... I knew she was a teacher in community college, but I, I didn't really have, um, an understanding of, of how engaged she was and all the things she was doing.

And she told me about this and asked if I'd wanna be part of it in terms of just supporting it however I could, and obviously thanks for wearing the beanies today, and, uh- We love them. Yay ... it was something I had in inventory. Here we go. So, uh, I mean, we can interview each other, but I would love if you could share a little bit about what the nonprofit's about and what you did with that, on the Big Island and-

Erin: Mm-hmm

Andy: was all involved if that's okay.

Erin: Yeah. That's [00:06:00] wonderful. Thank you again, Andy, for having us- Sure ... and for allowing us, um, time and space to share- Yeah ... a little bit about the Hawaii Great Teacher Seminar. Sure. It's actually, uh, it was called the National Great Teacher Seminar, um, and it was started by an educational psychologist, David Gottshall, uh, back in the '80s, I believe, um, who had, um, he just had this vision of creating a professional development opportunity that really focused on the diversity and the prior knowledge of teachers, and just providing that space and time for them to connect with each other and to share and to support.

You know, if, if you've ever been in teaching, you know that it's a, a, it's a go, go, go type of a profession- Mm-hmm ... and you're constantly preparing or teaching or assessing and improving and, uh, finding that time to, to just pause and talk to others in the field, um, it's can be rare and it has to be scheduled.

And, Mm ... and so David Gottshall had that [00:07:00] vision. And yeah, there's a whole history behind him. We're just really fortunate that it came to Hawaii. Uh, there's a group of people who brought it to Hawaii. Uh, Larry Fujinaka, um, uh, Judy Kappenberg, uh, Dennis Kaibara, Hiroshi Kato, there Cindy Martin. There's a whole bunch of people who made it happen- Right

uh, here in Hawaii. And so next year we're doing our 35th. 35 years. That's

Andy: amazing. Yeah. Uh, 35 years in Hawaii of doing this?

Erin: Is

Andy: it? That's-

Erin: Yeah.

Andy: Yeah, it is ... that's phenomenal. And again, if you could just sort of outline obviously it's, it's bringing, I dunno if we wanna call 'em the best of the best but some of your, your top most engaged educators, and you take 'em, you fly them over to the Big Island.

Is that correct? Is it always in the same place?

Amy: Oh, she's... Oh, I have to speak now. And Amy go. Well, well, I was smiling because it's an open invite to- Oh,

Andy: okay. Sure ...

Amy: but they are the best of the best. Yeah.

Andy: Yeah.

Amy: But it is an open invite. So we have faculty, [00:08:00] counselors, uh, staff, anyone that has an impact on teaching and working with students in the, in the community colleges.

So up until COVID, it was, uh, held at... It's always been held at Kilauea Military Camp because of the, it's very, it's very spiritual there. Um- Sure. It's a

Erin: magical place.

Amy: It's a magical place. Right. It really is magical. It's

Erin: like the fuck, you know? Yeah. Yeah.

Amy: And, um, and it's, you know, and nobody can run away 'cause there's nowhere for you to go.

Mm-hmm. So, you know, it's a captured audience, and it's, it's, it's not like tent camping. Like, it's cabin camping. Sure. And the cabins are nice. And for a lot of, uh, instructors, it's a, it's a, it's the first time in years that they've been able to make time for themselves. And so, so up until COVID, it was open to all the community colleges in the UH system, and it was also open...

There was, like, I don't know how many seats they had open for uh, continent, for community colleges on the continent to- Mm-hmm ... to join. It would be, like, uh, 75%- Yeah ... uh, Hawaii and- [00:09:00] Was, uh, local ... 25%- Okay ... percent from the continent, and it was a mixed group. Uh, after COVID, um, the University of Hawaii Community Colleges funded the program, and then the, the invitation was closed to just the University of Hawaii system campuses.

So that's where Erin and I come in. Cindy Martin retired, and Cindy Erin, it's your job now. And, um, because it was funded completely by the University of Hawaii system, then it was just close to 50 of faculty from UH community colleges. And this year we had, uh, West Oahu, University of Hawaii West Oahu join us.

And it's a... You know, people apply. People apply- Mm-hmm ... and they come, and it could, it can be... And it's usually people who are kinda tired because they've done the assessments and all of that stuff, and they're just, like- Yeah ... drained and tired, and they come together. Our lead facilitator is Dave Sherrell, and he is amazing.

Erin: Mm. He's a magical man. Yep.

Amy: He's magical. He's [00:10:00] magical. He's, he's got some- We're just- Yeah ... talking about how magical he is, and he inspires- Yeah ... just so much insight- Mm-hmm ... for, for the teachers. So, a quick example. Just to... It's kind of a, it has structure, but it has a lot of freedom for- Mm-hmm ... discussion, and idea sharing, and best practices, and let's help you through this challenge.

And so they start, it's a... You know, they're with us for a week, and the beginning, some of them are very closed and, Right ... you know.

Erin: Shy.

Amy: And like, "Why am I here? My, my- Yeah ... my department chair told me to be here."

Erin: Right.

Andy: Yeah.

Amy: And then at the end they're crying, right? Feeling like they've- Yep ... been reinvigorated.

That's great. So we were- That's when

Andy: you, you know you've got

Amy: something. Yeah. Mm-hmm. That's amazing. I, I- So we were just talking about how- ... appreciate that ... the seminar is great for beginning teachers who are just joining the profession, and- Mm-hmm Yeah ... maybe they've come from industry and now they're teaching.

Um-

Andy: We can't

Amy: afford to lose

Andy: those,

Amy: yeah. Right. So for the new person. Yeah. Then it's great for the person, "Oh, I kinda know what I'm doing now." Mm-hmm. Yeah. So I go back to this seminar to share and learn from other people, and then maybe [00:11:00] it's your 10-year mark and you're kinda tired. Mm-hmm. And then it's your 20-year mark and you're, like, ready to retire, but not really.

Erin: Mm-hmm.

Amy: Um, so it has a space for anyone in any, any jou- part of their journey in the higher ed system, and-

Erin: Mm-hmm ...

Amy: and the best thing is when someone at the end, we have this closing circle where everybody shares. Mm-hmm. And the best thing is when someone that we didn't know, 'cause they never shared the whole week, cries and says- Right

"I was ready to turn in my resignation at the end of this next

Erin: academic year."

Amy: Wow.

Erin: Yeah. "

Amy: And now I am encouraged

Erin: to-"

Amy: Mm-hmm. "... continue."

Erin: Right.

Amy: And you're like,

Erin: It's, it's really- Wow ... a space for pilina building or relationship building. Mm-hmm. Um, you know, teaching can be very isolating if- Yeah, sure ... there's, if you don't make the effort to- You're siloed in the classroom, right?

Right. You're siloed in the classroom. In, a- Maybe you have, you know, a couple senior faculty you can reach out to possibly, but it can be very isolating. And, you know, you come as a single teacher to this event, but you leave [00:12:00] with, 30 friends and colleagues. And we've had people that have gone on trips with each other after, or they keep in touch- That's wonderful

they have annual reunions. Yeah. And it's just a different level of bonding. So someone once called it a summer camp for teachers. And I mean, it's a lot more than that, but, you know, it's that feeling of just community is huge. Yeah. And after COVID, I think, um, w- as Amy was saying, it was limited just to the University of Hawaii Community Colleges, um, for the attendees.

And, you know, there is ... You know, you do miss something, uh, some diversity by not having people outside of the UH system coming. But I think the importance of having it just within our UH community colleges at that time was COVID was very isolating. Mm-hmm. And, you know, there's a lot of people who, there might have been people who were hired during COVID who didn't know anyone, in our own UH system.

So we kind of felt like, you know, we need to take care of our people and, and help them build relationships on their campuses and, uh, you know, [00:13:00] with their sister campuses, and that's what we need to focus on. And that's not to say that we won't ever have people from the continent, um, invited or even internationally invited to come to this- Mm-hmm

um, this opportunity. But for the past couple years, it has been just focused, um, internally, and it's actually been really powerful.

Andy: Uh,

Erin: it's been a great rebuilding.

Andy: I, I think that's wonderful. Yeah. And I part of my journey is I shared with Aaron, is, um, community college or ju- junior college is really where I got my restart, I'll call it, because I was not very successful in high school due to my own, uh, my own doing.

But, uh, I joke that, um, I love this show Last Chance U. Uh, the concept of- ... um, having this opportunity in front of you. And, and typically what I saw and experienced was just a lot of caring and passion at, at that level, and opportunity to connect with, um, with teachers in, in my experience, and it was super powerful.

It... I felt like I was, uh, amongst people that were in the same [00:14:00] boat and were really trying to elevate themselves. Mm-hmm. And so I'm a big fan of what you're doing, and I'm a big fan of the community college system. And as we know this day and age, the trades are so important. And, uh, I think really having the best of the best educators in there is, is really important.

So I love you guys sharing that, and I love what you're up to and doing. And I, you know, wanna hear, keep hearing more about it. But, uh- ... I, I wondered how you would, um, how you would... might share some of the specific problems or issues or things that, that people may not be aware of. Is there a common denominator or thread, uh, for those teachers when they're going through that?

You know?

At each level, you mentioned almost, like, three buckets.

Erin: Yeah. Uh, but- You know, um, part of the seminar is as we facilitate discussions, um, we, um, we also start to see themes that arise. You know? And so a lot of times the... It, Well, okay, I'm gonna kinda backtrack a little bit.

One of the things that I love about this, the Great Teachers Movement, um, from David Godshall, is that, you know, this was done, he created it for, uh, over 40 years ago, and the formula [00:15:00] still works today. You know? And I think it's because the structure is so well-built that it allows the content to come from the participants, right?

So the participants are the ones, that particular group comes up with what are the pressing issues that they're facing- I see ... you know, at that time. Okay. And so every conference is similar but also very different because all the participants are different. Gotcha. And but I would say some of the, the general issues, um, that are facing educators in higher ed especially is AI.

AI is a big, Oh ... you know, how to work with it, how to- Sure ... use it effectively, how to, um, help, have it help and not hinder the learning process. So that's something. Student engagement, um, bringing, um, is also always a hot topic, how to build community in the classroom. Cultural, uh, i- um, incorporating culture, um, culturally sustaining practices in pedagogy, that's also, um, those are some of the main ones.

Other ones that you can think of, Amy?

Amy: I think personally, uh, a, [00:16:00] a topic comes up every year is surviving burnout.

Erin: Oh, that's

Amy: a true one. I think, um- Yeah ... sometimes the teachers, uh- Yeah ... the instructors say that they're stretched so thin because not only teaching, but they do a lot of other things. So- Makes sense

um, so that, that, that's always, uh, balance.

Erin: Mm-hmm. Definitely.

Amy: Uh, we find that in our Gen Z instructors today. They are w- wanting more, um- wa- wanting advice and best practices on maintaining balance, health- Yeah ... mental health, Mental health ... emotional wellness- Sure ... uh, family balance. And, uh, I feel old because I'm like, "Huh?"

Erin: You know?

Andy: Yeah I guess our generation- Well, wow. We're, we're the- We, we just stacked it up, right?

Erin: Yeah.

Andy: We're the, uh, stack it up buttercup. We just held it inside until we're, like, 50, and then we're just completely- Yeah. Right.

Amy: Right

Andy: So maybe, maybe that's the healthy way to go about it is, uh, you know- Mm-hmm

deal, deal with the issues as it goes instead of just burying them until later. Right. But, uh-

Amy: Absolutely. And

Andy: I- I, yeah.

Amy: Yeah. I feel like they, they come with the, "I just can't." That's why I were like, "Oh, yeah, I [00:17:00] can't wait to talk to Andy."

Andy: Yeah.

Amy: You know? Uh, "I just can't anymore."

Andy: Yeah. Um,

Amy: but then, you know- Yeah.

Well- But can. Can, period.

Andy: I mean, the, the brand, um, uh, I mean, came about through, to a degree, of, of solving a problem within my own work environment. Um, I don't know if Erin shared, but I'm a fundraiser by, by trade, and still am. And, um, my staff at the time, we had huge goals and, and they were... didn't seem achievable, even to myself-

to be honest. And, uh, if can was stated and I said there can't be an if in this scenario. We really- Mm ... have to, we have to tackle all the no can and, and sort. So I think of it more as, um, as, uh, thoughtful problem-solving, you know- Mm-hmm ... which is what you're doing. So that's why I love what you're doing- Mm

is you're saying, "We recognize there are problems in the, in, in your, uh, in your trade, in your work, in the classroom, and, but we have, um- a, a collective group of people that can- Right ... solve them for you because the biggest thing I, I think, the common [00:18:00] denominator of all trouble and trauma and drama in life is everyone's been through it to a degree, right?

Maybe a little different. We've got AI, we've got different things, but it typically someone's been through something real similar, so they can share that institutional or that past knowledge. So that's what you're doing, and I think that's huge for people. And for me, I'm not, I haven't ever done any education.

The brand has helped me get in and around teachers. But I think they should be uplifted and and communities and society in general should recognize them in a heroic way. I mean, it's, it's not easy work and they're not paid a, a, a great deal, but hopefully when they roll out of bed in the morning, they realize they, they have purpose, right?

I mean, a lot of people are looking for that. They get to go into a classroom and make a difference. And I think that's huge that hopefully they get reminded of that, uh- Mm-hmm ... because I, I would love to be able to impact students like that on a [00:19:00] daily basis. It would be

Erin: neat.

Andy: Oh. Oh, that's- Yeah.

Erin: I agree with that, that, you know, um, we need to uplift our educators our teachers.

Um, I do... Uh, okay, I'm biased, but I do feel they're the backbone of our society. They- Yeah ... they are teaching the next generation. They're the models- Yeah ... and they give so much of themselves. You know, it's, um, I was very fortunate for many years to be, um, an instructor and counselor for a teacher education program, and so I used to say, "I love my students," because, you know, most of them were told, "Don't go into teaching.

It doesn't pay well. Don't, don't be a teacher." Yeah. You know? Mm-hmm. "It's hard work and stuff." And they still showed up anyway because- Yeah ... something in their kn- oh, in their, their gut You know, was saying, "No, this is where I need to be." And so they were creative, wanna change the world types of people.

Mm-hmm. And, and I just loved that, and I was very fortunate to work with those types of students. And that's what we have to foster. And, and I think that's, um, that's why we're so grateful to David Godshall, and to Dave Sherrell to the Cindy [00:20:00] Martins, to Della Teroka who was our vice president of community colleges who brought it back and, and funded it for the past, um, several years.

We're very grateful to those who believed in it because this is truly an event that uplifts teachers.

Andy: Yeah.

Erin: And it's all about

Andy: them. Yeah, that's, that's it. I, yeah, I love that. Absolutely. Yeah. And, and they, they need that time and space to hear from each other and get-

Erin: Right ... k- get kind of

Andy: fired up- And to know they're not alone

for the new year.

Erin: They're not alone in this. Someone understands, right?

Andy: Yeah. So. Yeah. It's, it's super cool. I, I been working with some high schools and stuff locally in, on Kauai, and I've heard this common thread, right? It's, it is a, a burnout scenario. And then uh, you know, AI and all of those things.

But I, I was curious if, if the fundamentals of learning are always gonna be applicable, right? I- I mean, even if it's AI, it's like I tell people you better become a prompt genius. You know? You better know all the levels. But I don't know- Yeah ... h- how that's impacting learning, but I, I still think [00:21:00] you, you have to have basic confidence in, in- understanding of, of how to learn, if that makes sense.

Mm-hmm. I would think there's some fundamentals you, you learn how to learn. Does that even make sense? Yeah. Yeah.

Amy: Yeah. Yeah, about learning how to, how to use the AI tool to, to benefit you. You know, just stick things in there, then you just get whatever you get. Garbage in, garbage out, right? Yeah. But-

Andy: Yeah

Amy: yeah, yeah. I mean, there are people who are like, "No, we're not gonna use it ever." And I'm like yeah, that's a little unrealistic."

Andy: Yeah. You're already using... I mean-

Amy: Right ...

Andy: you type something in Google- You use Google ... and it's, yeah. I mean, it's all, yeah, it's all kinda leveraging it to a degree. But, uh- Yeah, that's, that's wonderful stuff.

Uh, and can you tell me a little bit about mission and focus and, and goals in terms of, I, I understand from Aaron that you're- Mm-hmm ... looking for funding, and you wanna keep it going. And, uh, can you kinda give the lay of the land of what that looks like for you and what's important just in case we have a listener on that wants to support what you're doing?

Ooh.

Erin: Wow. Ooh. I know that, that's wonderful. Well, um, yeah, so to... So again, [00:22:00] um, the Hawaii Great Teacher Seminar is about a week long.

Andy: Okay.

Erin: Uh, we provide all lodging and food and beverage, and we provide, um, cultural experiences, a tour swag. Uh, so there's a lot that comes in the pa- transportation. So we're pretty much taking care of them.

From the moment they're, they step off the plane, they're, they are part of our family. And we embrace them, and we take care of them for that whole week until it's time for them to pack up, uh, 12 o'clock, and they're on the bus heading back to the airport, and we're waving aloha to them. So- ... you know, it's, it is a comprehensive package, and, it doesn't come cheap.

So it, there's cost to it. That's the reality of it. And, um, so- I'm very lucky that I have someone like Amy, who is my co-coordinator in this. Uh, she's my partner in terms of just making this happen. She has an extensive hospitality background, which really helps. Yeah. Um, and as well as also is a hospitality professor, so- Oh, [00:23:00] wow.

Okay ... she does both sides. Yeah, so- That's a big deal in Vegas. So she teaches it- So it's very, um- Right. She teaches and she does. Yeah. And helping. Right. You know how they sometimes say, I don't like the saying, but they say, "Those who can't do, teach." Well, Amy can do and teach. So- So, so she's been very instrumental.

Um- Yeah ... and then I also help to coordinate the event, um, on the business side, the facility side, staffing. Uh, we do training for our staff. And so there's a lot of things that go into it, and of course funding is one of them. And so, we have been very fortunate. As I mentioned before, our, uh, former vice president of community colleges, Della Teraoka, uh, was a champion of professional development, all different types of professional development, but she really believed in the Hawaii Great Teacher Seminar.

She was a participant and also a facilitator for many years. And as she rose the ranks, she remembered it and you know, set aside funding for our people to attend. And but that can only go for so long, and this is something that we hope to see in perpetuity, uh- Yeah ... because it, it [00:24:00] really changes lives.

This is, my role at my community college, at Leeward Community College, is, um, the coordinator for the Innovation Center for Teaching and Learning, which means- Ooh ... I coordinate professional development for our faculty and staff. Oh, okay. Yeah. And so-

Andy: Yeah ...

Erin: you know, so I see a lot of trainings and opportunities for growth and innovation, but the Hawaii Great Teacher Seminar is truly one of the most impactful, if not the most impactful professional development experience that I've, that I have witnessed, ... to have something change someone's mindset from, "I'm ready to put in my resignation letter" to, "No, this is where I belong," in seven days, I think is pretty- ... powerful.

Andy: Yeah. You nailed it. Yeah. And that was that, that, you nailed that end piece, so that's the ROI, right, for a donor is like, if I give you my money, what's gonna happen?

And, and first off, I think what I love about it is, is that they love supporting greatness. Um, that's just what I've found is the common [00:25:00] denominator for donors is they love great institutions and making sure they continue on and, and great teachers or great professionals in, in a nonprofit setting and the things that they're doing.

So you've already highlighted that's what you're working with, and you're trying to save them from burnout and all those other things- Mm-hmm ... and keep them engaged and performing at a high level. So I think it's a wonderful thing to support, and it's already has a great standing. It has great outcomes.

So anyone that's listening, I, I highly encourage you to consider getting engaged with them, supporting them, or doing whatever you can do for, um, for this nonprofit. Um- Wow. I don't know if we want- That's so cool. And, you know, it's really...

Erin: amy and I talk about this all the time. Yeah. It's, it's an honor for us to be in, in this role.

To do it. And it's a lot of work- Yeah, you're leaders ... and stuff. Yeah, you're doing- You know, it's a- Yeah ... but, you know, and every year I, I think to myself, "Oh, I I wonder if it's... I really hope we'll have a really good seminar. I really hope everything will turn out." You know, and, and as coordinators, you know, there's always that, that little bit of, you know- [00:26:00] Sure

concern. You know, you want everything to go wonderfully for people and it always does. So, you know, again, kudos to the originator, to David Godshall, to our magic man, David Shrell, you know, to our facilitators every year because they really have created something that that seems almost fail-proof.

Sure.

Because every year, every year- Yeah ... people's lives are changed. Yeah.

Andy: Well, it's, it, I mean, it's super nice of you to say it that way, but obviously your, your leadership and it's obviously in both of your DNA if you have a podcast inspired by aloha. So it's not, not as if you're not bringing something to the table that's incredible energy- Mm

and to keep that thing moving forward. So I, I would give you- Mm-hmm ... lots of credit for that. And it's awesome that... A- and I'm sure that sinking feeling every time, you're like, "I hope this works out. Hope it's gonna be successful." But it sounds like that, that pattern is continues to be that, yeah, the outcome is, yeah, it's great.

Yeah. They had a wonderful time. They're more engaged. Uh, so hopefully people keep hearing [00:27:00] about it and promoting it, and these concepts get out there because the work I've done is that's, that's what I see is teachers just burning out, um, or not getting the appropriate attention that they deserve and the opportunity to have fun while also learning from their peers.

So, uh, my pitch to anyone out there is, is that this is a wonderful program and h- it's not a, a concept. It's solid footing. We've- Oh ... been doing it for 35 years, so- ... keep charging.

Amy: Aw.

Andy: Yeah. And, uh, we'd love to- Mm. It was fun to help support in a small way and, uh, yeah.

Amy: Can! Well, you know- It's candy ... it gets cold up there.

It was cold up there. So when- Yeah. Yeah. Everybody's- When Felice said- Luckily I have a bunch

Andy: of beanies,

Amy: um, so- Yeah. She's like, "Oh, we got beanies." I'm like, "Oh my gosh." And it was so cool to see everyone with the beanies- Mm-hmm ... going out to overlook the volcano- Right ... 'cause it was, like, in the 40s, yeah. And it don't get that cold in Hawaii, so everybody had their beanies on. Oh, cool. And then there was a fight for, "I want the orange one." Yeah. [00:28:00]

Andy: That's awesome.

Amy: And, uh, yeah. So, so thank you.

Erin: Yeah. We appreciate you- Well, no, thank you. It's an honor to have them ... and you and your company, Can, for, like, sponsoring and providing us with these beautiful beanies.

We're, we're just so taken aback. And also the goal cards- Yeah ... that you- Yeah ... that

Andy: you gave us. Hopefully that was neat. That's a cool cornerstone of the brand in my mind is I think you should write it down and-

Erin: Mm-hmm.

Andy: Mm-hmm ...

Erin: um,

Andy: I, I have a couple on my desk that I write down, and I have to see 'em every day and- And look at them and consider- You did

Amy: it, yeah

Andy: chasing those those goals and dreams. So I hope others do that. And especially in the, in the in the classroom, right? It's remembering, um, what you're, what you're after, right? Is really impacting those students and obviously they have to chase a lot of metrics, I'm sure, and-

Erin: Mm-hmm ...

Andy: and outcomes, and that's not that much fun.

But, uh, but in the end, hopefully similarly, when they, uh, they leave and they're engaged, hopefully their students are leaving and engaged. And that's what I got out of my, my, uh, last Chance U experience was I, I went on to a more education. Mm-hmm, yeah. Could have been the opposite direction if I didn't have great teachers,

Amy: right. Aw.

Andy: Yeah. We- Super, super cool.

Amy: If we go back to that original question you had- Sure ... about mission and support- Yeah I'm curious 'cause I, I, it, you know, we've been helping with coordination for, uh, the last three years since it's brought back after COVID and after Cindy. She was a guru. Yeah, Cindy Martin.

After she retired. It was pretty ... A lot of pressure. She- What's her name? Her name was Cindy Martin, and it was- Okay ... a lot of pressure to like not fail because she- She

Erin: was ... She's amazing ...

Amy: she coordinated this- That's awesome ... [00:29:00] iconic, yeah ... at the beginning. Awesome. So, but when we look at, ... I like to look every year, there's you know, there's a list of awards and accolades and recognition that different campuses- Mm-hmm

uh, have whether it's campus-oriented or m- university system awards for teaching excellence. And I like to look through the list 'cause I like to look at, wow, who went to Great Teachers last year? Oh, wow, who went to Great Teachers two years ago, or the years that we have facilitated. And, you know, and sending notes of encouragement to them, like, "Wow, so awesome.

Wow, I saw you on the news. Wow, you're doing something-" Oh, I

Andy: love that. I, I, I- You know, your, your students- You see impact. Yeah. Your s- I, I see what you mean. Yeah. I know your- Yeah, they went through the program- Yeah ... and they've kind of held onto that, Yeah ... the soul of what, what it was about, and- Right

they maintained their ... it's probably that cohort. They pr- they probably reach out to each other still and-

Amy: Right ...

Andy: um, you've built a, you've built like a, a community within the community college.

Amy: Mm-hmm. Um- Right. Right. Like, there's no data to tell me, well, that gentleman who- Mm ... [00:30:00] is culinary and took his students, and they won this amazing culinary competition on the main i- I mean, there's no data to say that, yeah, 'cause you went to Great Teachers, that you know?

Yeah. Yeah, yeah. But I think like while in, in some fashion if what he took away helped him bring it back to the students in the classroom and create something amazing is wow, uh-

Andy: Yeah ...

Amy: we allow that s- this seminar allows that space to happen.

Andy: I love that. Mm. In the absence of metrics, stories always work.

That's right. Storytelling is- Uh, and that's what people love more than anything- ... foundational ... to be honest is, is that especially that y- those outcome stories and the ... And I loved you sharing they sh- they, they show up a little bit closed, uh, which is, is a neat pattern- Right ... of most of these kinds of things in retreats, in education.

I went through Leadership Kaw- Kauai, and, uh, we were all a little unsure of- ... what it was gonna be about, and now we're all best friends.

Amy: Oh.

Andy: Right. You know, to a degree, a bunch of us are. I mean, I just, some of the, [00:31:00] my best friends I still to this day connect with. And, um, so I, I love that concept, and, um, hopefully they get to lean into that even more and- sounds like you will. I don't have any doubt it'll- Yeah ... take you on some way, shape, or form, so great

Erin: news. You can kind of ... You can tell that it works too because, um, we normally have a reunion maybe about seven months after. Yeah, I was gonna ask

Andy: about that.

Erin: Yeah. That's always a great, great thing. And so, so our, our University of Hawaii Community College system would have a system-wide one-day conference- And so we would always have a Hawaii Great Teachers reunion session.

Mm-hmm. And so, you know, so people can choose to go to whatever session they want to, but our people always come back. And we're always the loudest session and, uh Yeah ... we always have to tell them, "Okay, stop it. Shh." Yeah. You know? Yeah. And so, so it's, it's a great time for people to reconnect. Yeah. But many of them stay in contact with each other.

And, you know, even just from, we just, uh, finished our 34th Great Teachers this past June. Mm-hmm. And already, you know, I've seen a couple people since then, and, you know, you're, it's like, uh, you're [00:32:00] hugging family again. And, you know, I've gotten reports that people are collaborating and, you know, like a D Med person and a math person are connecting with each other.

And so, you know- Really good ... things are happening. Things are percolating. Mm-hmm. So- Yeah. Um- And that's the whole point

Andy: I have, uh, one of our ambassadors Pohaku Kekaualua, um, just told me he's going back to school and to, um, Kauai Community College to finish up- Nice ... and get his degree, so.

Erin: Terrific. I'm

Andy: proud of him, and, uh- Yay.

Yay ... he's gonna be, uh, engaged. Right on, Pohaku.

Erin: Yay.

Andy: Yeah, yeah. And, uh, I just... it's not easy, right, to fit that in, especially living in Hawaii.

Erin: Mm-hmm.

Andy: The the cost, the, the time allocation, the access to things, it's all a challenge. Uh, you have to... It's not as easy as it is on the mainland to say, "I'm gonna give this a shot."

Uh, you really gotta commit to, I, I think- Mm-hmm ... to things like that. Yeah. Because- Oh, that's a good point ... the, the sacrifices are gonna be pretty tremendous for a lot of people because they gotta stop their third job or second job- Right. Mm-hmm ... [00:33:00] unfortunately, and- Mm-hmm ... and they got family and all those things.

So, it, they deserve great teachers- Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm ... because they're taking a real crack at improving themselves- Right ... um, at the detriment of the time and money they have-

Erin: Right ...

Andy: uh, in their lives.

Erin: The

Andy: sacrifice. Yeah. The sacrifices are- Right ... I think are tremendous for people trying to find education in, um, in Hawaii.

Mm-hmm. It just isn't that

Erin: easy. You know, that's one of the reasons why I love working for a community college. I love the idea of open access- Mm-hmm ... that it's education for everyone. Yeah. But I also love commencement. I love, um, when our students graduate. And, a lot of times our students will be like, "Ah, it's just my associate's.

I don't have to walk. I don't have to participate in commencement." But it's... again, it's a symbol of the sacrifice. It's not just them who's earning the degree, but it's also their family and their friends who supported them, the teachers that loved them, the counselors that support them, the- Yeah ... you know, the janitors that kept the space clean.

I mean, it's everybody has contributed and, of course- Yeah ... [00:34:00] they've done most of the effort, and it's their commitment. But it's a celebration, and I always tell them, "This is the first of many degrees for you." Yeah. So w- this one's the f- this is a, this is an important one, so yeah. Yeah. We should celebrate you at commencement.

You deserve that,

Andy: I agree with that. Yeah. I think any, any trajectory change in your life should be celebrated and remembered. Yeah. Mm-hmm. And that's a, a significant one for most people because they- They probably would've gone on to a university or school after high school, but for whatever reason it wasn't possible.

So for them to get back on the horse and, and give it another go- ... or, is-

Amy: Yeah ...

Andy: a huge trajectory change in your life. Mm-hmm. And if you stick with it I would guess that a lot of them continue on to either further education or at a minimum they, they achieve that goal of the better job- Right

um, the more fulfilling career the, uh, what- whatever it might be. So I, I agree with that. I think they should all walk and consider that it is [00:35:00] important where you start out. Mm-hmm. Uh, it's key. So super cool. Yeah.

Amy: Yeah. I think what's neat about the, what community college is and about the seminar is it brings different disciplines together.

So you have the you know, general ed academic side with history teachers and math and English languages coming to this seminar with the the trades, right? You have the, the culinary instructor. For me it's hospitality. You have the carpenter instructor, you know? The, uh, the other year was the building design architect, um, drafting instructor.

And you get just a, all different perspectives that come together, and they all have different teaching styles- Yeah ... because one is, one is trades-related, one is you know, science, biology, academic. And yet there's so much commonality- Mm-hmm ... with teachers together- Right ... and the things that they have to, do have to go through.

And so, like, when we think about the students [00:36:00] that come through our programs, um, it's always the beginning, i- in the fall semester, right? I have stu- "I'm here 'cause, uh"- ... I never test good enough to get into, like, UH." Yeah. So, and I, and then- Oh, it's good. Yeah ... I don't have money, so-

So I'm here. And I'm like, "O- okay." And he goes, "Yeah, and my dad works in a hotel and my mom works in a hotel, and they told me just come over here, so." "So that's why I'm here." And I'm like, "No," and everybody's like, "Ugh," and I'm like, "No, that's fine. It's honest, right? Everyone has an honest story."

Yeah.

You know? Yeah. Someone else like, "Oh, I really wanted to go to UNLV, but I can't afford to go there- Yeah ... and I have to support- Yeah ... my mom because my dad died and I have to work, and so that's why- Yeah ... I'm here." Tough stories. So-

Andy: There's funny stories and tough stories. Yeah.

Amy: You know, I'm like, "Oh." Yeah. And then, uh, the 25, 6-year-old who says, "Well, I went straight to work and I know more than my manager, so that's why I'm here."

And I'm like, "Yeah. Good for you." Yeah. Yeah. And then at the end of the semester, the student who says, "Well, I never get into UH [00:37:00] and I never have money, that's why I'm here," whatever, you know, is saying, "I love this program. I can't wait."

Andy: Yeah. For next semester. It's about the light bulb going on. And you're like, "What?

Wow." It, it, it really is. That's what happened to me is I just... I went on an athletic scholarship to a small JUCO in Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, and I in high school just didn't... I didn't have my act together, but I had no confidence that I was capable of learning, um, or at a level that a university would want me.

Um, but I was decent at sports, so my coach thankfully said, "You could still go to school." "You can go to a junior college." I was like, "Okay. Uh, what's that all about?" You know? And I found myself similarly showing up w- with that of just not sure, insecure about the whole thing, but I was there. And luckily the, you know, the teachers, the experience, the light bulb turned on, and I was like, oh, I, I have my own form of learning methods and, [00:38:00] uh, I'm going to, uh, attack this.

And then like you, you get a little confidence, then you get super stoked, and the next thing you know you're like, oh, oh, all those can'ts weren't real. I m- Yeah. I manufactured- Mm ... most of those-

Amy: Mm-hmm ...

Andy: in my mind because whatever reason- Right ... I didn't have that confidence in high school, and you get that fresh start.

And-

Amy: Yeah ...

Andy: uh, so I, yeah, I encourage people to-

Amy: Mm ...

Andy: to take it on 'cause y- you just, you learn so much, I think, about yourself, uh, when you take those risks and- in education.

Erin: Yeah. So- Yeah.

Andy: It's huge.

Erin: Yeah. Sometimes for those who come to community college, this is the first time that they're really in a higher ed environment, and- Yeah

This is their testing ground. And- Yeah ... and again, you know, when you pass the class or you do well on an assignment or you get a certificate or get the degree, that is, those are wins that- Yeah ... prove to you over and over again and validate you and, and say, "No I belong here."

Andy: It's,

Erin: uh- You know, this is for me, [00:39:00] you know?

Andy: adulting. And, uh- I'm still working on that and all. Yeah. I mean, seriously, I, I... So I work, um... I've, I've worked doing fundraising in, in healthcare and then, um- Mm ... more recently I've been in military or work with, uh, within the Coast Guard. I've worked with Medal of Honor recipients and- Mm

others. And the, the backbone of those individuals is their experience within the military that gave them the fundamentals to really grow up and- Mm-hmm ... learn how to become successful. And you're delivering those same things. I, I would say you know, in, in a way. You're, you're building their own value set, their, the conditions, uh, of how, how to be successful in life, how to show up, how to be...

Simple things, right?

Erin: Mm-hmm.

Andy: But you- Yeah. I- it's important that you learn them and figure 'em out. And, uh, and the pattern you don't realize of success is there. Mm-hmm. Uh, you just pick it up, and now next thing you know you're applying it in your job or the next institution you, you go to. Uh, so a lot of people don't realize that that's occurring for them, but you're providing that to [00:40:00] them.

So- ... uh, another reason to salute the educators and- Especially those community college settings, uh- Yeah ... so I wanna hear more about, um, Inspired by Aloha. Can you tell me ... Can we, can we s- just segue to that for a moment? Y-

Erin: yeah, sure. You know, I feel like we found a kindred spirit in you, um, Andy- Okay

because, you know, we love your mindset. We love the idea- Yeah ... of CAN. Sure. Awesome. And I think Inspired by Aloha has that kind of foundational belief system, too, and, and it actually came out of a, a lunch that we have a, a third person in our ins- Inspired by Aloha podcast, Shireen. Mm. And so Amy, Shireen, and I have been longtime friends- Oh, wow, okay

um, since college days since the dorm days, and, um, you know, we've kept in touch over the years, and this is ... This actually happened during COVID where we were having lunch, and we're talking about the state of the world and how, um- When is this gonna end, Erin? Yeah. Yeah. It was like, it was so isolating and- Yeah

it [00:41:00] was so sad. There was so mu- Yeah ... so much sad news. I mean, we kinda forget- Yeah ... how, what it was like, but it was very isolating at one point during COVID, and we're like, "You know, we need to spotlight the good in the world. There's so much good, and there's so much aloha," and aloha is a very heavy beautiful, complex, um- Very complex concept

included concept.

Andy: Yeah, I mean, it's, we, it ended up being a greeting, uh, but it's so much more that people don't realize at all.

Erin: Oh, yeah. Absolutely. And, and so- Yeah ... and we're inspired by it, and we see ordinary people doing these inspirational, extraordinary acts of aloha every day. And so we just wanted to have a platform where we could spotlight and showcase those people and- Love that

hopefully make people laugh. And Amy is an amazing storyteller, so so

Amy: Erin's like, "Let's do a podcast," and then Shireen and I were like- How do we do that?

Erin: Yes.

Amy: Oh, similarly. I, I- And, uh, and then we laugh. Let's get the book, Podcast for Dummies. Yeah. So we actually did that. Met with a friend of Erin's who has her own podcast.

[00:42:00] Mm-hmm. And then I met with a friend who does podcasting at Kapiʻolani Community College. And then we just said, "Okay, let's just do it." Mm-hmm. And then our friend's daughter, we said, "Can you create a logo for us?" Mm-hmm. "These are some of our favorite things about-" Yeah ... Hawaii, and then she created this logo for us.

Yeah, it's really pretty.

Andy: I, I love that and yeah.

Amy: And, uh, yeah. And then we're like, "Okay, we're... let's just interview friends."

Erin: Yeah,

Andy: no, that's right. 'Cause everyone's sitting down going- That's how you start. I mean, you're

Amy: not gonna- That's how we started. We had friends that we knew that were doing amazing things.

Yeah. Yeah. Right. And then, uh, last year we're like, "Oh, let's... Oh, we want, we wanna interview this person and this person." We're like, "Those are strangers." And, uh, and yeah, it was... It's just been wonderful to meet new people. That's awesome.

Erin: Yeah. It's been... Sometimes I think it's more for us. Yeah.

It's like, you know, we've got... We have a good time.

Amy: Yeah. We're very infrequent, right? So we just can call. We all work full time and we all have different things. Yeah. And so- That's, uh,

Andy: same with me. I, I... It's not- Mm-hmm ... something I'm, yeah, really trying to monetize. I mean, it, it helps me. It was one of the [00:43:00] ways I could ex- talk about the brand and share.

Yeah. Mm-hmm.

Amy: Mm-hmm.

Andy: I'm horrible at social media. I don't have the talents to, uh, do film or, or and, and I thought, well, I could talk to people that are repping the brand connected to the brand, some of the things I'm passionate- Mm-hmm ... about in education, where I wanna take the brand. Yeah.

Yeah. Let's have those people on, and maybe it'll help. Obviously it's a business, so I needed people to learn about who we are and what we're about and grow it that way. So similarly, that's how I, I thought of it in the same fashion as I was like, this is an outlet for me to, to share what the brand's about and concepts related.

Yeah. So I appreciate what you're up to with it.

Amy: So we had a student, uh, well, I had a student, she just, uh, uh, graduated last semester. And she would... She told me, "Oh, I put your podcast on when, while I'm studying." I'm like, "What? What? What? You're like our number one fan." And it's so cute, you know? She's like- Yeah

"Well, 'cause it's always a positive message." Yeah. And I said, "Yes."

Erin: [00:44:00] That's

Amy: great. It's about inspiring aloha in our daily life, and so it's funny, like, uh, we'll go to things and, um... There was a lady, I was at a Leeward Community College event, and this lady comes up to me and goes, "I know your voice," and then I, freaked me out.

I was like, "What? What? What do you mean you know my voice?" And she goes, "No, on the podcast." And I said, "Oh, the podcast!" Right in that environment, I'm like, "How do, how come you know my voice?" Like-

Andy: Yeah ... "

Amy: Are you in my class?" Like, "Who are you?" Right. And I'm like, "Oh, ooh, who are you? What is your name?" "Oh, I'm so-and-so.

I, I work here, and I follow Erin's podcast." And I started laughing. I'm like, "Oh, how funny." I was like, "That's so funny." But, you

Andy: know, I- Yeah, you need those, uh, you need those every once in a while, like Kind of the way I do it, I feel like I just, I do it, then I, I don't wanna know anything. I just wanted to finish it and get it out in the world.

'Cause I'm so anxious about, how it turned out and what people think. And so you, you [00:45:00] want feedback, but you also are hesitant to- Yeah, yeah,

Erin: yeah That's us. Yeah ...

Andy: to, like, pursue it. Yeah. I don't, you know, like, try to promote it really too much, which is- Mm-hmm ... ridiculous 'cause I'm trying to sell a brand and T-shirts and things.

But, uh, these are my struggles. I just gotta fight through them. But I, my wife recently told me that she was listening to it. And I, you know, my s- my stomach, you know, uh, dropped and I was like, "Oh man, how's this gonna go?" And she's like, "Wow, it's really pretty good." Aw. And I was like, "Oh my

Erin: gosh." See?

And that's the most important opinion right there.

Andy: Oh, totally. So. I was like, "Oh great, now I'm done." That's right. I, now, now I won over the most important person and- Ah, yeah. That's great ... I don't need to do this anymore. No, it, it was, um... Those little things though are, are h- are huge for our fragile egos, right?

So,

Erin: uh- Yeah ...

Andy: we'll just keep it up. Yeah.

Erin: Yeah. I think, what's helped is that, is the mindset that we do what we do, and those who it reaches and it impacts them, it was meant to be. And for those- Sure. Yeah ... who don't, then- That's how I see

Andy: it too.

Erin: Yeah ... good luck to you and, you know, hope you [00:46:00] find the thing that does inspire you.

So we can- I like that a lot ... all, all we can do is just be ourselves.

Amy: Yeah. Yeah. And you know, there's, there's critics, right? People will say things. Oh, yeah. Mm-hmm. And, um, usually it's to, to Aaron. And we always- ... and we tell Aaron, "No, no, no, no, no. Don't, don't be discouraged." I can imagine. "Don't be discouraged."

Really?

Andy: That's awesome.

Amy: Yeah.

Andy: Be

Erin: inspired by aloha. Yeah.

Amy: So don't be discouraged.

Erin: We can. So we-

Amy: Yeah ... you know, we, people who come and talk with us- Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm, mm-hmm ... you know, we, we support them in the work that they do and the work- Yes ... that they do for Hawaii, and- Yep ... and that's important. And, we're, we...

It's, this is just for fun, you know? It's for fun. Yeah.

Erin: It's to showcase-

Andy: Yeah. I, I- ... the

Erin: good, man. Showcase the good in life ...

Andy: there's something sign- there's something that's still in Hawaii that is, uh, is aloha, that is real, right? There's a, a, a kindness, an, an effort to support each other and give back, and a thoughtfulness that's there.

And I don't know if it's 'cause smaller communities and they- Mm-hmm ... know each other more, or I don't know what the exact formula is, but it's [00:47:00] real. It's not always easy to open that, that can, right? Like, and I joke when I moved to Kauai, I called it a series of interviews not meeting people, 'cause they wanna get to know, you know, like what you're really all about, right? Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. But once they do, they're all in.

Amy: Yeah.

Andy: And, and you feel like... I think of that now and I get chicken skin and I'm like, "Oh, you gotta level up your aloha." Like, I picture it like- ... a, like a tennis match, like-

they're gonna hit that aloha back even harder. You know what I mean? Like, you do something for them, they're gonna do something for you. So it's just this, like, perpetual thing that w- that w- you know, was my experience that, uh, was, was life-changing to a degree because you're like, "Oh, that's such a beautiful part of humanity that's out there," you know?

Yes.

Amy: Yeah.

Andy: And, I, I mean, there's kind people everywhere. Um, but it, it was just, there, there's something really beautiful about that experience and going through it that, um, I recall and enjoy thinking about. So [00:48:00] I, I appreciate the concept and that you're sh- sort of sharing that, I think is, is- ... what I'm understanding.

Amy: Yeah. Well, that's a good point you make about, it's hard to describe. Um, you know, I lived on Kauai too, and that is a remarkable- ... island community that- Yeah, it really is ... it's, it's a really beautiful community. And you know, we live on Oahu. It's so busy, but people are still really nice. Yeah,

Andy: still wonderful.

Yeah.

Amy: Mm.

Andy: Yeah.

Amy: And so we get student... And so I, my first career was in hotel management, and then I've been teaching now for maybe 10 years. And you know, I, we have students that come to us from from the mainland or from international countries, and usually the student from the mainland, you know, they're from whatever, California or Texas- Yeah, yeah

or wherever they're from. And then, uh, we have group projects, and they're with- Yeah ... the local student, and then there's a disconnect, right? And and I see it, I see it all the time in, in- Sure ... in the hotel world, right? Where we have a, a, a manager from the continent [00:49:00] and overseeing a whole bunch of Hawaii people.

Sure. And then there's a disconnect. And so it's been fun in these years when they have conflict and they come to me and they're like, "Oh, I don't like working with her 'cause sh- she, she no listen." And then the, the mainland student's like, "I don't know why she's so mean to me," you know? And then I laugh.

I'm like, "Oh, there's disconnect right here."

Andy: Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

Amy: You know? And then we- Yeah ... and then I meet with them separately. And then, like, for the one from the continent, right, I'm like- In Hawaii, there's so much said in the unsaid.

Andy: Yes.

Amy: You have to look at the body language of the person that you're talking to.

Oh, so important. It's its own

Erin: language.

Amy: You have to- Yes ... listen to the tone of the voice. Oh, it's so important. She said, "Yeah, it's okay you leave." But she didn't say, "Oh, yeah, it's okay you leave." She said, "Yeah, if you gotta go, you gotta go." That is not the same thing, right? And so- Oh, it's not ... the student's like, "Huh?"

Andy: It's not. It's not. "

Amy: Oh, why doesn't she just say that she didn't want me to leave?" Yeah. I said, "Because that's not what we do in Hawaii, 'cause she didn't wanna be rude. You know, you gotta go, you gotta go." [00:50:00] But I said that, "You need to learn how to read Hawaii people." And then for the local person, I'm like, "Okay, you need to understand that this person is literal."

Andy: Yeah.

Amy: Yeah. When you said, "If you go, well, if you, you gotta go, then it's okay," I said, "Then she's really felt that it was okay to go." "Well, why she wouldn't go?" I said, "Because you said it was okay." "Well, I didn't really mean it." I said, "Then, then you need to learn how to communicate- ... that way also, right?"

Yeah, yeah. So it's like building managerial skills here. Sure. Sure. You know, 'cause you're gonna have to oversee each other's culture and, And it's fun. To me, it's fun. For them, it's, like, excruciating. But, you know, I look at them like, "Hee, this is funny. Let's talk about it."

Andy: Yeah.

Amy: And that's what makes Hawaii so special.

And this is the training ground. Right.

Erin: This is where you work out all the kinks.

Amy: And I tell them, "Make all your mistakes here-" Yep "... piss off people here- Yep ... in the college setting, because once you go to the work world, then hopefully you've learned here- You'll be

Erin: prepared ...

Amy: and you'll be a better person.

Yeah.

Andy: Fail as fast as you can in, in school.

Erin: Yep, fail, yep. Fail fast. And, uh- Fail

Andy: hard ...

Erin: a- a-

Andy: and, and, you know- And [00:51:00]

Erin: celebrate it, man. Celebrate

Andy: the fails. Yeah. And learn. It, uh, I mean, I think that's the cool part about teachers is, is that I, they understand that students are there to, to work that out, right? I mean, you're there to-

try things and- Yeah ... experiment and, and fail and learn from it and-

Amy: Mm-hmm ... and,

Andy: and proceed, uh, forward. And it's the best place to do it, uh- Mm-hmm ... in my mind.

Yeah ... I know grades are on the line, but at the same time, it's you gotta try different things, so that, that's, you're there to do. So super cool.

Amy: Yeah. Thank you. It is, it's a, it's a great opportunity To be a mentor to students. Yeah. Absolutely.

Andy: Wonderful. Probably should wrap it up or our editing will be for hours.

Amy: No

Erin: need edit. Yeah, no.

Andy: No need edits? Okay. This

Erin: is authentic.

Andy: Oh.

Erin: Andy's very busy. Yes. He's,

Andy: uh-

Erin: Nah ... there'll be no editing in this

Andy: podcast. Nah, there we go. There we go. That was the perfect lesson in, "Geez, he just said goodbye I think."

Erin: He didn't even- Yeah. Very smooth.

Andy: Uh, yeah. No, uh, I love this. I would, I would hang out with you guys all day, um.

Erin: Well, let us know when you come back to Hawaii to visit. Yes.

Andy: Uh, yeah. I'm coming in September, but I'm on Kauai. Oh. Well, nice. Nice. Come see me. Very

Erin: [00:52:00] nice.

Andy: Maybe I'll, uh, find me someone that wants to carry the KAN brand in a store there and-

Erin: Oh, good luck Oh,

Andy: beautiful ... good luck. Terrific. I'll come, come visit you.

I would love that.

Erin: Yeah.

Andy: Well, we love

Erin: your products. Yes.

Andy: Well, thank you. We're wearing it.

Erin: Amazing.

Andy: I'm working, working hard to keep it going. Yeah, we love them. I so, so appreciate it. Very good. Philosophy

Erin: behind it

Andy: is spot on. And, uh, thank- thanks for representing it and letting me kind of partner with you guys, and we can do another podcast someday.

I would love that too. That sounds

Erin: good. Yeah. Yeah.

Andy: Hangin' with you guys. Well, have you

Erin: come on Inspired by Aloha? Yeah.

Andy: I would love that. Absolutely. Yeah, let's do it. We can learn more

Erin: about- Yeah ... learn more about you. The spirit of

Andy: KAN. Yeah, sure, sure. Oh, yeah. Tell... Schedule it. Um- Sounds

Erin: good ...

Andy: I don't think I've been interviewed yet,

Amy: oh.

Erin: Yeah. Okay. So you're going first and I

Andy: mean, not like podcast wise or- We'll be over.

Amy: Yeah.

Andy: No one's ever asked, so let's... That would be awesome.

Amy: Yay. Well, Colleen has said great things about you- Yeah ... and your brand, and, uh, we're so grateful. I love

Andy: her. I love that family. I love her. That family is- Colleen.

Amy: Yeah. Thank you, Colleen ... that

Andy: fa- have that entire family on your podcast. They're-

Amy: They're

Andy: so- ... they're amazing. Yeah. They're inspirational. Yeah. They are very much so. And,

Amy: and your [00:53:00] support of Hawaii Great Teachers, that was really awesome. Yep. Thank you.

Andy: Yeah. Uh, well, we'll keep it up. Let's-

Amy: Many more years to come.

Erin: Yep.

Andy: Yeah. Let's do it again. Many more years. We'll prepare for next year.

Amy: All

Erin: right.

Andy: Let's keep it rolling.

Erin: Sounds good.

Andy: Yeah.

Erin: 35th next year.

Amy: Yeah.

Andy: Oh, that's huge.

Amy: 35

Andy: years. All right. That's awesome.

Amy: Mahalo, Andy.

Andy: Okay. Thank

Amy: you, Andy. Thank you. Mahalo pono.

Erin: Thanks for everything.

Amy: A hui

Andy: hou. Thank, thank you both very much.

Keali'i: Struggle is real. Struggle is true. All my people stand firm and I will stand with you. Struggle is real. Struggle is true.

Andy: Thank you. Okay. Take care. All right, we can, uh, we'll just stop it there, but-

Amy: Thank you so much.

Andy: Nah, that was a blast. Yes. I really, really enjoyed that. Awe.

Amy: Wonderful. So awesome. Wow, okay. We're gonna get you on our- Yeah ... Inspired by Aloha.

Erin: We actually have some dates, so I'll email you, Andy. Okay. You can email me some dates.

I'll email

Andy: you

Erin: some dates 'cause, um, the three of us got together 'cause we're all- we were already like, "Ooh, this guy Andy is really cool." "We love his spirit." That's awesome. "So what are some dates in the future?" Yeah. That is amazing. So within the next couple months, I'll email you some- Yeah ... and you can let us know what works

Amy: for you.

That's a very strong ... Yeah.

Andy: I would, I would absolutely love that, and you do them virtual, or you mostly do them in person, or how does that work usually?

Amy: Uh, if you're o- ever on Oahu, we can do it in person. Or we can do, uh, we've done Zoomies too.

Andy: Okay. I didn't know. Yeah. How, what's, uh... How mu- do you often do the, the Zoomies or is it more, uh- Or in person.

I was just curious if you do them in person a lot. Sounds like you do.

Amy: Uh, we do a lot in person- We do a lot of- That's so cool ... 'cause it, it just, it just, uh, brings another level of sharing.

Erin: Intimacy and, yeah, connection. Yeah.

Amy: Oh,

Andy: definitely. And

Amy: then we always- I would- And then we always eat after.

Erin: Yeah.

Gotta have the food. And so- Yeah. That's

Andy: why it's

Amy: so local.

Andy: Oh, that's great. Like, okay,

Amy: give us four hours 'cause you're gonna eat after. Eat. Yeah,

Andy: um, way better in person. I and, and, and do you present them, uh, just audio or, or do you present you know, on YouTube, or do you-

Erin: For now, just audio. Just audio.

Andy: Yeah, me too. Me too. Yeah. Yeah. I, I don't have the, the skills