She’s shooting University of Hawaii games, building trust with athletes and coaches, and still choosing the harder road. We talk story with Photos by Kaikai as she pushes past the “big fish in a small pond” trap and chases real growth in sports media and sports photography.

We get into how her athlete background shaped her eye and her work ethic, plus the exact moment she decided to stop waiting and start reaching out. That one email to ScoringLive turns into credentials, constant reps across multiple sports, and the confidence to keep leveling up. Kai also explains why the Hawaii photography community feels different, how she learns through YouTube and mentors, and why being yourself matters more than copying someone’s edit style.

Then we go deeper on the craft and the business: planning shoots ahead of time, narrowing down thousands of photos, and keeping edits clean with Lightroom and Photoshop so the image speaks for itself. She shares what it’s like to photograph elite events, including getting the chance to shoot an NBA game and capture Steph Curry up close while following media rules that protect your future access. We close with her dream assignments like pro volleyball and the NFL, plus advice for any creator trying to break in.

Subscribe, share this with a friend chasing a goal, and leave a review to help more people find the show. What’s one uncomfortable move you know you need to make next?