A funny thing happened to local funny man Tumua Tuinei. While he was playing football at the University of Hawaii, he discovered his real talent. “I took a standup comedy class. I took it just for fun, just to fill up my classes, and to get the easy A. I’d seen it in the class description. I said, ‘Standup comedy? Okay, I’ll try it.’ Did it. Ended up falling in love with it,” he said. Tumua’s popularity really took off during the pandemic. His live events were shut down, so he posted comedy sketches on social media. That grew his fan base by leaps and bounds.

Just about anyone who plays the ukulele has heard the catchy name Jumpin’ Jim. Jim Beloff is the man behind the world’s most popular series of ukulele songbooks.

In our latest Tell Me a Story podcast, we introduce you to an endurance athlete. He runs races with a much bigger goal in mind than just reaching the finish line. Every step that Todd Crandell takes is one more step away from the lifestyle that threatened to kill him. And every IRONMAN he completes is a victory for the people he's trying to help to break free from the grip of addiction. 

In our latest Tell Me a Story podcast, we take a deep dive off Oahu's North Shore. In the water world surfers speak of pipeline with reverence, awe and even maybe a little bit of fear. It's one of the most famous surf breaks in the world and can be one of the most dangerous. But in the scientific realm the reef that shapes the waves holds clues to the Earth's climate and two surfer scientists are exploring it.

In this episode of "Tell Me A Story," Jim Mendoza sits down with Hawaii's own Jake Shimabukuro to talk about his new album. "Jake and Friends" took four years to complete and features a long list of musical heavyweights, from Willie Nelson to Bette Midler to Kenny Loggins. 

If you've never given up on a dream, you can relate to Dr. Sian Proctor. The SpaceX astronaut has her feet firmly planted back on terra firma, but her mind in still on her out-of-this-world mission aboard the Inspiration4 flight in September.

In his new documentary "Waterman," filmmaker Isaac Halasima chronicles the incredible life of Olympian and ambassador of surfing Duke Kahanamoku. In this episode of "Tell Me a Story," featuring a new and improved format, Jim Mendoza will delve into Duke's legacy on surfing, culture and on the islands.

Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.” In today's episode, Jim talks to several Hawaii residents who are providing hope to others.

General George S. Patton once said, “an active mind cannot exist in an inactive body.” In this episode, we take a look how some people are staying active during the pandemic.

During this time of uncertainty and hardship, helping others is more important that ever. In this episode, we take a look at how some people are helping their communities during the pandemic.

Amid the pandemic, a lot of businesses wonder if they will survive. We first take a look at a Big Island business called "Hawaiiverse," which is helping other businesses stay alive. Also, we head to a new healthcare startup that is providing its members unlimited healthcare.

In the eighth episode Jim introduces us to two sisters that are performing classical music not only at home but also with the Hawaii Youth Symphony. Jim also talks to a Filipino kite maker who is also an award-winning retired teacher who specialized in STEM subjects.

A lot of us are being forced to adapt right now amid the COVID-19 pandemic --- and it's not easy.

In the sixth episode Jim focuses on “the new normal” we are all facing amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Mendoza tells the survivor story of a 79-year-old man who spent 12 days on a ventilator and 3 weeks in the ICU. He also introduces us to a Kailua business owner who has great determination, and students at North Shore high school who are giving other kids the technology they need to study from home. Plus, in another example of making the best out of a hard time - Jim found one Hawaii couple who tied the knot virtually via Zoom.

In this episode Jim shares one teacher’s incredible and inspiring lesson plan that has received the attention of the Grammy awards. He also explores how the stage can be transformed into a classroom. And Mendoza visits Hawaii’s first “Men’s Shed” that helps seniors fight loneliness.

This “Tell Me a Story” podcast focuses on “instinct.” In exploring instinct, Mendoza shares the story of a judo coach who teaches teenagers that a powerful tool to protect themselves is built into their bodies. Mendoza also introduces us to a survivor of the atomic bombing of Japan who proves you can triumph over tragedy. And he catches up with a Longtime Waikiki beach boy who thanked the emergency responders who saved his life.

In the third episode Jim focuses on “transition.” To highlight the significant of transition in our lives, Mendoza tells the story of a special seamstress who sews burial clothes for infants. He also introduces us to some troops transitioning to civilian life who’ve found drama-free training in the theater.

In the second episode Jim tells one mother’s incredible story of endurance. She is running across America to raise awareness for an organization that honors fallen military service men and women. He also explores a new endurance workout that gives your heart and your brain a blast - it designed to get people sweating and thinking. Jim also talked with the first man to travel across the Pacific on a stand up paddle board.

In the first episode Jim catches up with Hawaii’s best-known Santa who is facing the struggle of his life, a craftsman who is keeping the tradition of bone carving alive, and he chats with a muralist who took on the task of documenting the history of Kakaako.