Kevin Yamada: The Sunny Side Up
It’s been 20 years since I graduated from high school and through the technology of social networking I have been able to reunite with many of my classmates. I am beginning a new series on my blog, similar to VH1’s “Where Are They Now?”
During my Sophomore year of high school, my long time partner in koloheness (mischief) Patricia and I realized that we had not had a single class together since the 6th grade. We were certain it was a conspiracy, so we planned to beat the system and interviewed for an elective class, Zoo Instructors Program (Z.I.P.). Over the summer all we could do is hope, and we were very ecstatic when we received our class schedules the following Fall semester.
It was in this class that I met Kevin Yamada. In fact, I remember our first conversation. It was during an ice-breaking exercise game that required us to find people who fit the description in the box, and have them sign our paper. I asked, and Kevin confirmed that he indeed had hairy knees and so a friendship began. (Sadly, these days as I get older lazier I could fit the “hairy knees” category too!).
Kevin was a friend I could always depend on. He was smart, athletic, very funny and had this Kikaida swagger about him. For those who don’t know, Kikaida was my first love — Jiro and all his machismo in his blue denim pant suit with his guitar strapped to his back was quite appealing. (Yes, Lilinoe knows.).
Facebook has been a tremendous tool, and I was able to finally track down, stalk, reconnect with Kevin. And, was just amazed at the journey of his canoe the past two decades!
He was a good boy and earned degrees in both History and Secondary Education (Chemistry) from the University of Hawaii which led to a teaching position as a math teacher and a wrestling coach. Add in a wife, a few kids, maybe a dog and me visiting on the weekends for some beers in the garage and it would be a respectful and honorable story. But, Kevin’s canoe, his path of life has taken him on an extraordinary journey.
Remember I mentioned he had a swagger? Well, this should have been my clue for his current career or the time my family and I gathered around the television for the latest episode of Hawaii Stars in the early 90’s which featured a singing Kevin! But, even if I did, no one could ever guess the doors that would open for him.
Today, Kevin is the co-host of The Sunny Side Up Show on Sprout, the first 24-hour preschool network which was 
recently nominated for an emmy. He resides primarily in Philadelphia, but his work sometimes takes him to New York. Living in Hawaii, we’re unable to see his show but, perhaps we can get together and influence the powers at PBSHawaii to let us have our eggs and eat ‘em too!
Having lived away from Hawaii myself, the first and most important question I had to ask him was, “How’s the food in Philly?”
“The food is awesome. There’s Mexican, Brazilian, Spanish…and of course they have great cheesesteaks, ” said Kevin.
Next to World’s Series champion Shane Victorino, Kevin may be the most famous Hawaiian living in Philadelphia, so it was only right of me to suggest that when I visit Philadelphia (I love you Lilinoe!) next year, do you think we could make a dozen or so spam musubi with a hint of shoyu and stalk, seduce, meet Shane Victorino?
“(I) would love to meet Shane…the three of us to hang, drink, and grind musubis. Maybe even try a scrapple musubi,” shared Kevin.
Wait, scrapple musubi?
Kevin explained, “I have yet to try scrapple, a local favorite. I have heard it’s a greyish meat that is the leftovers of other meat — probably how we look at our spam.”
Note to Melissa Chang: Get some scrapple for your bizarre food story.
One of the things I took with me to Houston, is my aloha and so I asked Kevin which Hawaii Tradition did he take and share with his new community.
“The great thing about the show is that it’s shown all over the country. So maybe there will be a few more kids spreading aloha around America. Sprout has been very supportive in bringing aloha to the station.”
The Aloha Shirt wearing Kevin continued that during “Music Week” they sang, Aloha ‘Oe and played the ukulele, and used hula motions during “Weather Week” to explain; rain, wind, and sun.
If you were born and raised in Hawaii like we were, living far away from the islands somehow inspires the hula dancer in us all!
Kevin’s entertainment career continues to climb, but we’ll all be able to see him on the big screen this November with the release of the movie Old Dogs.
“It’s about two advertising agents and their adventures. The first scene I shot was with the agents. I was thrilled and nervous when I found out the agents were (actors) John Travolta and Robin Williams,” shared Kevin.
Keeping in tune with his acting career, I suddenly took on the persona of James Lipton, host of Inside the Actors Studio and asked the following questions.
NEENZ: What’s your favorite pidgin word?
KEVIN: Pau
NEENZ: What turns you on creatively, spiritually, and emotionally?
KEVIN: Laughter, The Beatles, a good Chirashi, competition and walking (no music on).
NEENZ: How existential.
NEENZ: What noise do you miss from Hawaii?
KEVIN: Family parties.
NEENZ: If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
KEVIN: Hurry up, your family and friends are waiting. By the way, how do you want your steak?
My last official question to Kevin, and I preceded with a disclaimer of “may not be posted” was his memory of NEENZ.
“Oh, there are many. Watching basketball games, going to Ho’olaulea, hanging out drinking…and at the zoo. I remember going to The Bangles concert. We jumped from the upper level of the NBC arena to the lower deck to get closer. I ripped my pants on a metal pipe sticking out. Not too smart, but we did get to see Susana Hoffs up close singing and doing the splits. It was just another Manic Monday,” shared Kevin.
I had forgotten about Kevin ripping his pants, but not Hoffs’ doing the split. I appreciate him leaving out the xyz memories of me that involve being ripped, and I’m not talking about my pants.
Kevin remains, dear to my heart.
