Aloha Alive: The Dawn O'Brien Podcast
Why Aloha? the whole world knows what aloha is--love in Hawai'i--but better to ask WHY ALOHA? the answer is as essential as breath & as fun as whistling, so LET'S GO!
Aloha Alive: The Dawn O'Brien Podcast
God Interrupted Her Retirement... Now She's Running for Office
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A sidewalk so narrow a wheelchair can’t pass. Speeding that tops the complaint list across District 43. And a community that keeps hearing “we’ll look into it” with no timeline in sight. That’s the real-world backdrop for our conversation with Sheila Madaris, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, neighborhood board member, church leader, and weekly food bank volunteer who’s running for Hawaii State House District 43 representing Kapolei and Makakilo as a Republican candidate.
We get specific about quality of life issues that hit families every single day, not someday: traffic safety, crime, infrastructure, housing affordability, and how houselessness shows up on your street. Sheila shares a story that still stings, meeting a veteran who was pushed off an unusable sidewalk and nearly struck in the road because an ADA hazard has been ignored since the 1970s. For us, that moment puts a bright spotlight on one word: accountability.
Then we go after the “information gap” that keeps neighbors divided and exhausted. Sheila explains her Hawaiian quilt approach to community engagement, treating each subdivision as a patch and building shared understanding through forums, newsletters, print and digital communication, and more town halls. We also talk values, including how her Christian faith shapes her positions on pro-life issues, parental rights, and youth medical decisions, and we end with a grounded definition of aloha: seeing people, choosing kindness, and refusing quick judgment.
If you care about Hawaii local politics, District 43, Kapolei, Makakilo, and what real representation looks like, press play. Subscribe, share this conversation with a neighbor, and leave a review so more local voices can find it.
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Welcome And Guest Introduction
SPEAKER_03Welcome to Aloha Alive. I'm Auntie Don O'Brien, your hostess with the Mostess for his highest. Welcome, sis. You are an above and beyond supernatural, super Shiro. You are retired Army Lieutenant Colonel, correct? You're also with the food bank every single week, dancing as they give away all those groceries to local Ohana. And you serve on the neighborhood board for Makaquilo Kapoole. And you're at your church, word of life. And and and she's a grandma, a great daughter, just a phenomenal supernatural superhero. Welcome to Sheila Madaris.
SPEAKER_00Thank you for having me.
SPEAKER_03Now you're also running for Republican representative for your district,
Why She Decided To Run
SPEAKER_03which your home, your Kuleana, which is Makaquilo Kapoole. Correct. Why would you run for local political office in addition to all of those and we just listed?
SPEAKER_00So short version, because it is a long version. I tried to get in touch with my local representative and it did not bolde well. So after trying to find her at several events at the neighborhood board meetings, uh she wasn't representing, wasn't there. Also, then I found out later that she cut her ties with the minority caucus. And to me, as a strong conservative, that was concerning for me. So I had to pray about it because of course I just retired, like in 2021. So I wanted to just garden and be a grandma. But then I thought I prayed after, and God was like, I equipped you. Yeah. So I need you to step up. So I did, and it was it I challenged her in the beginning, um, in 2024, and I came pretty close with a very short timeline. And so I had to pray again um to see if this is where God was calling me. Yeah. And it was strong enough for me to say, okay, Lord, let's go.
SPEAKER_03Wow. Yes. Okay. We understand a little bit of the background. And of course, it's not just about, and this person is in office right now, but it's not just about her actions currently, it's about the legacy you want to leave for your grandkids. I know I've spoken to you a few times, Sheila.
Quality Of Life As The Priority
SPEAKER_03We're on the same teams, and uh, it's just knowing we want to make a difference for our Hawaii, for our Kuliana. What is the platform? What is your platform or some of the goals you have for once you get into office? And we're just gonna name it and claim it right now. We're gonna proclaim that right in.
SPEAKER_00Well, first off, what really is um priority for the community based on my door-to-door and my own survey that I conducted the first time around is they're really concerned about the quality of life issues that touches them every single day. Legislation will touch you maybe years from now. But the things that happen, like speeding, crime, infrastructure, all of those things impact them day-to-day. So they want a representative to prioritize both things at the same time. And so one has been falling short. So that's pretty much my my priority is day-to-day um quality of life issues, along with what their community priorities are. Of course, it's the top things like you know, reducing crime, home, you know, houselessness, housing, affordability, all of those top big things. But it's it's the small things that they deal with that touches them that they want prioritize.
Speeding And Street Safety Fixes
SPEAKER_03So, what would that look like or sound like in a practical example? Like, is it speed bumps for better pedestrian safety? What does that look like?
SPEAKER_00So, currently, right now, speeding is number one across District 43. Yes. And so they want calming measures implemented. Now, what I would apply to Makakilo Drive would be different from what I would apply to in Mehana. So I've already addressed this with the mayor's office. So I I've collected all my data, I submitted it to the mayor's office as a board member, and they're actively looking at all of it. And particularly the one that was in was there since the 70s, a ADA sidewalk violation. A veteran was coming down on a wheelchair, and he could not go on the the sidewalk. He's coming down Moquakilo Drive, so he figures he can't make it, so he goes onto Mocaquilo Drive, falls off his wheelchair, almost gets hit. So I met him at his door. And so he told me about this, and he said, Please can you get that fixed? So I went there, measured the amount of sidewalk, and there's only nine inches because the light post, four light posts going up from Mocaquilo Bible, has been there since the 70s. So when I addressed it to the mayor's office, they're like, Yeah, that's been there since the 70s. So my concern is why hasn't this been fixed?
SPEAKER_03Right, if you were aware of it, because it is been there since the 70s.
SPEAKER_00Right, it's a federal violation, and they know now there's somebody's holding them accountable because every meeting I'm asking for a timeline. When is the plan gonna be fixed? When we're pouring cement, you know, all of that. Because I don't think they've been held accountable. I think a lot of times, even I've been on the board for a year. Yeah, and sadly, people come with concerns and it just goes into the abyss. Right. And and there's no accountability, there's no follow-through. So I've been doing my best with follow-ups. And I guess that's why they sort of like when it's my turn to ask a question, they know I'm asking, okay, where are we at with this? What's the plan of action? Exactly. That is
The ADA Sidewalk Wake Up Call
SPEAKER_00a step. That is what I said in the beginning of the year. I said, this is a year of accountability. And and they know they know that when I'm asking a question, I I'm looking for where are we in the process?
SPEAKER_03I love it. So these are some of your goals, is not just looking at legislation which may be years of in enacting in the future, but it's looking at the day-to-day every day. However, I would ask you, it does take years to pass certain bills, right? So, how would you make sure you're answering some of the needs of your neighborhood for District 43 Kapole Makakilo right now?
SPEAKER_00So, one of the big gaps right now is information. Okay, so a lot of them have no idea what's going on, what legislation was even submitted. So it's I need to fix that gap. So, my plan, number one, is fixing that information gap by going into each divdivision. So I explained it like a Hawaiian quilt. I look at it like a Hawaiian quilt. Each
Closing The District Information Gap
SPEAKER_00patch is a subdivision. Yeah. Right? I'm the thread that brings them all together. And that thread is through my bringing them together, right? The needle going through is the actions I take, right? So as as I penetrate each patch to bring them together, that those actions are working with city and county, working with state, working along my minority caucus, working across the aisle to answer those questions, to inform. An informed constituency is a powerful constituency. Right now, we're guessing. We're literally guessing what we think is the needs of the district. And I don't want to guess. I want to know. And they need to know. So this subdivision needs to know what the strengths and weaknesses of this subdivision. So when we come together and think of legislation, they'll be more understanding if we say, yes, because Vaica Loa, which is Maca Kilo Extension, that's a big deal, right?
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_00They're the subdivision that will feel it because that's the connecting that they connect. So all of that traffic's gonna go through them. So this whole time I thought everybody wanted the mock a kilo extension. But when I went door to door in Vaica Loa, that subdivision that will feel it, they're like, no.
SPEAKER_02Wow.
SPEAKER_00So and a lot of the people don't know. So the pro so where we need to do better as representatives, as council members, as elected officials, is bringing that information to everybody. So everybody has a shared understanding. Because once you have a shared understanding, then you have people who can say, Okay, I am I understand what what you're saying, and you know what? Maybe we can negotiate, maybe we can find a a happy medium. Wow. Right? And and that's what is is not being done right now. A lot of people I went to so many doors, and people have like fragments of information, and and that's the problem. We need shared understanding so we can move forward together, right? We can have that strong quilt and shared understanding. Like I Moihana should know what the problems and and strengths of maybe Lord Makakilo. It's good, right? So until we get that shared understanding, you're gonna have one subdivision going, oh, they're they're selfish, they don't want it. But that's not the case. You need to understand why, right? And when you understand the why, then you can have a better maybe a better chance of getting to the middle of of an agreement.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. So that's that's where I I will work, number one, in ensuring that people are informed.
SPEAKER_03Filling the information gap, which you've identified, and unfortunately exists with the current administration. I would ask also, or maybe um, you know, I'm thinking about Second City, which is Kapoole's kind of nickname, right? And you guys it is growing exponentially and bringing in the information would be super helpful. I would imagine too that as a local Hawaii resident, we're all working like two, three jobs, right? Extremely crunched, all of us, very busy, trying to help each other out. So when we hear something like you saying that, Sheila, it sounds amazing. It really does. But I'm already thinking in my head, I'm probably not gonna, if I was a resident of Makaquilo Couple 8, not reading that, what is your plan for making
Forums Town Halls And Newsletters
SPEAKER_03it accessible to the average um, you know, Kule or Jane or Joe living in Makaquilo? How is your plan to get that communication out there so that it is actionable intelligence?
SPEAKER_00So, like um my initial plan is first to go in personally, have forums in each subdivision, right? Then once I get to each subdivision, they'll see me personally, we'll hand out newsletters. I'm going to maximize every means available, whether it be by print, digital, in person, holding forums, multiple forums, town halls. We haven't had a town hall since 2024, District 43. So that's why there's this disconnect. A lot of people don't know what's going on because we haven't had our representative have that conversation. And we have to have more conversations. We have to have the sad part is even our neighborhood board, people don't even know what that is.
SPEAKER_03Well, yeah, I imagine because I I am one of the few Hawaii residents who has attended neighborhood board meetings because I was going after something with a bunch of friends of mine out on the Windward side. They take forever, first and foremost. We none of most of us do not know what we're doing when we're at these neighborhood board meetings and how to testify and the rules, right? And how to do all these things. But I would imagine that after my few experiences going to that neighborhood board where it took a long time, and I'm working and doing all the things I need to do, most of us don't want to attend. Yes. That's correct. As you just said a few minutes ago, our feedback almost gets lost into the black abyss, like it just disappears. So I spend five hours of my night on a Tuesday night to go to this neighborhood board meeting, and then it gets thrown into the black abyss. Why should I go? Or this goes back to another principle very similar. My vote doesn't count. Why should I vote? But that in fact is why I'm having you on our Humble Godcast podcast, is because you're activating a lot of local Janes and Joes to get back into the process because we're losing our Hawaii. We are absolutely losing the Aloha state if we're gonna yield to the powers that be right now in this traditionally Democrat state
Why Conservative Values Matter Here
SPEAKER_03for the last, well, since the very almost the very beginning. And so I'm we're here to put it out that it's getting back to activation. And if I may humbly say this, because I'm not asking a question, I'm making a statement that Sheila Madeiras is part of a conservative upswelling and movement of regular humans who have worked our jobs and are going after aloha values. Now, let me ask you a next question, and that that's along with what I just said is why are you a conservative and not Democrat? Because it's almost like if you had the D after your name, Garens you almost gonna get in. My Christian faith.
SPEAKER_00So biblically, a lot of the Democrat platforms I could not align myself with. So that's why I'm a Republican. I just a pretty bold statement. Yeah. It I it I when I ran decided to run, God called me to run. And this is really his campaign. So I'm standing for his righteousness. I don't care if I stand alone. Wow. I don't I really don't. I mean, if so.
SPEAKER_03So when you're talking about some of the Democrat platform that you cannot represent, can you just cite one of those things? Because I'm sure, and I'm speaking on behalf of just our regular Ohana viewing Ohana, they're thinking, what is she talking about? Because we've been Democrat forever.
SPEAKER_00Pro-life. I so anti-abortion. Anti-abortion. So I am I believe that life was at conception. Right. Starts at conception. I believe in parental rights. I believe in um God made you perfect the way you are. And gender-affirming care to me is is confusion.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, and even the title, gender affirming care, that's a euphemism for cutting off body parts or for mutilating your body. So those are two separate things you're talking about right now, right? The um body autonomy, and then there's the anti-abortion. And those are just two issues that if you are a Democrat, you support those things. So let us be clear, and I'm sure, and I'm treating you with much intelligence, viewing Ohana, that you understand that. But there are people out there who do not realize that when they're voting for somebody with a D after their name, you are voting for abortion. You are voting for youth body mutilation, you are voting for non-parental rights, which means the state gets to step in and strip your kid from you, if I'm to be extreme. But that's the line of logic where you're, if you follow it, and I once had a my mentor said, Don, and this was back in the day, right? In the 80s and 90s, Don, if you look at your action today and fast forward the videotape, that's why I said it was back in the day. I know I'm older, but if you fast forward the videotape, where are you gonna end up with that action? So we're looking at a line of logic for the
Faith Story And Aloha Meaning
SPEAKER_03what is a lot of the powers that be right now who are Democrat. Let me be clear. And that's why I'm talking to you right now. So thank you for being honest with that. How do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, Sheila Madeiras?
SPEAKER_00My uncle, when I was in the sixth grade, had a VW van, and he would drive from Pololo Valley, pick me up all the way in Mocoquilo, and take me to church. Yeah, well, not always, but I would bounce back and forth. Um my parents somehow they kept bouncing back and forth. So I went to a different school every year until my freshman year. Wow. Yeah, but we came back to Mocoquilo uh my sixth grade year, my well, first grade year, sixth grade year, and then we stayed my senior year. Okay. So not sure why they kept doing that. I think it was just the jobs for my dad. And uh, but yes, so I received Jesus Christ when I was in the sixth grade. With my uncle driving the V dub. V dub, all the way from Pololo Valley to Makakilo and to Kaimaki, Honolulu Assembly of God is where I was raised in the church.
SPEAKER_03Wow. Okay, that's amazing, and it really influences everything that you've said today that God called you to run for office. Yes, and it's gonna influence how you are in office in a tremendous way. Because as we were just saying, there are values that we function out of. Yes. Even as you represent your electorate, the people in your district, you are not just Sheila, but you're representing the people of Makakilo Kapoole once she gets voted in. And that means it comes out of your values, but it's also representing the people's values. Aloha values are very traditional biblical values. Thank you for being willing to do that. Last question I have for you as we bring this in for a landing, and thank you for this really fast hulimaka flip uh interview. But we wanted to get you on and get your face out there as we know the general election will be coming out pretty soon. Last question what is aloha to you?
SPEAKER_00Just being kind, just recognizing, seeing people. A lot of people, you don't know what they're going through. And here, here's an example. So when I go door to door, most of the times I am accepted, I'm I'm treated very well. But there are a few moments that I had that they were just either dismissive or mean, but I understood that I don't know what they're dealing with. And then you just treat them with aloha and kindness and you just say thank you. And I always bless them on the way out. And I think that is aloha is understanding where people are at and not making immediate judgment calls on people because you don't know. Somebody might be going through a tough time, and you just may have you know approached them at the wrong moment. But showing kindness, even if you're treated not so kind. That's a law.
SPEAKER_03Even in extreme circumstances, and we're all going through it right now. You know, recently Hawaii was going through that Kona Lo storm, and a lot of neighborhoods, everyone got hit, whether you were the rich house in the neighborhood or the very poor house, whether you were the older kupuna in the neighborhood or the young Keiki, we were all under the same storm system. And so I fully agree with you. I used to quote that to my students at Nanakouli High School all the time and say, be kinder than necessary, because everyone you meet is fighting a great battle that you do not know about. Right.
SPEAKER_00And sometimes your smile or just your kindness, that's all they needed to snap them out of it, you know?
SPEAKER_03So the spirit of aloha. Who is your aloha hero? A person living pure aloha past or present. It could be somebody from maybe your small kid time or your right now time. A person who lives pure aloha, you would call your aloha hero.
SPEAKER_00My mom. She passed on. Yeah. She was always the um her smile would just light up a room. She was just the the connector in our family. She was a hairstylist, so she did everyone's hair for free in her family. And uh she was just a beautiful soul. Yeah, always happy, always smiling. And you know, people like to tell everything to their hairstylists. Yes, she took it to the grave. Yes, she did.
SPEAKER_03Would not share. That is an exceptional hairstylist, and I've known quite a few. And you know they got all the tea and they're gonna spill it, right? Wow, what was your mom's name? Elaine. Elaine Madeiras. Okay, so to Elaine Medeiros, how long ago did she pass?
SPEAKER_002014.
SPEAKER_03Oh, wow. So it's been a while.
Website And Final Sign Off
SPEAKER_03Okay, so you're Aloha hero, and just because she was such a giving, loving person and honoring of people's secrets. Yeah. Wow. Okay, do you have, as we sign off, a website where we can find out more about you?
SPEAKER_00Yes, uh, friendsofsheilaMedez.com.
SPEAKER_03FriendsofsheilaMedez.com. We're gonna put it up there on the lower thirds for you if you want to find out more of her platform, and it's not just filling in the information gap or making sure to stand up for Aloha Values. It's friendsofsheilaMedez.com. And again, if you want to find out more information going into this general election, and and you can go to friendsofsheila moderas.com, friends of sheila moderas.com. Thank you again so much, Sheila, for joining us today. And again, Aloha always wins. So vote Sheila and vote aloha. Chew.