 I'm Wendy Lowe, and I'm coming to you from the Think Tech Hawaii studios. I just want to sit here and just laugh for a moment. I'm like looking at this, my guest today, and I just like, can't stop laughing. But anyway, better keep on track, right? So I'm your new friend as we journey to take your health back. We are coming to you live, as I said, from the Plaza building right here in downtown Honolulu. So today we'll be talking about how laughter is the best medicine. And being Chinese, being pocket, pocket is free, sounds good to me. And you can laugh your butt off every day, and nobody will stop you. And in fact, you should laugh as much as you can, because it's so important. What I would like you to take away from today's discussion shall be that a good laugh heals, okay? So today, we are going to have a grand time, and I've already started, laughing my way through this show with Rodney Villanueva, who is Hawaii's funniest person. Welcome, Rodney. Oh, welcome. Thank you for that introduction. Oh, you're welcome. It was like $10, $15 I owe you. More. Oh, no. No. So we want to just get started, Rodney. I just wanted to know, how did you get started with comedy? And how did you know you were funny? Somebody got me started. His name was Jerry Lewis. Back then, growing up in Halawa housing, there was only three TV shows, Channel 2, 4, and 9. And so we were watching the Ed Sullivan Show, and had this skinny guy with his ear sticking out, and his name was Jerry Lewis. And he was funny to me. And I told my mom, I want to be like him. So just like, like who? Ed Sullivan? No. The other guy. She was hoping that I would be like Ed Sullivan, rich and, you know, famous. But I chose the other guy. Wow. And you know, your dream came true. I mean, I guess you got to really wish, I mean, think about what you wish for because he's not only funny as you are, but he also is a humanitarian. And he's done so much great things for so many children. Yeah. And especially his life-long telethon. That was incredible. Yes. Incredible. And it continues on. I mean, no different than what he does with the community and the nation as well as the world. You do here in Hawaii. I try. Yeah. You do so much. I mean, I go to an event and oh, there's Rodney again. Okay, I better sit down. This is going to be a fun night. I got to go change my clothes, make sure I get the panty liners on because I'm going to laugh today, right? Right? And that's what it's all about because- Depends. It's cheaper. Oh, depends. I don't like the elastic. Oh, no. But I know laughter heals. Yes. So as you're doing your shows, are you aware of what you're doing to your audience of healing them, their hearts, their souls? Actually, I am aware and that's a great question. A lot of people don't take notice of it, but I do. And I watch and the more they laugh, the more material comes to me. See, mine is improv. I don't have a set show, so there's no two shows alike. And so therefore, whatever comes, I say it. And then even when I'm saying stuff and people are laughing, some more stuff is coming. I don't even get to say that because I can't remember them all. Too much. Too much. Yeah, I know. I mean, you're like once you're on a roll, there's no stopping you. As I said, I've gone to many events where you're emceeing or you're just there to help the evening go along. And I've never heard like really joke after joke, the same one. It's always something different. And like you said, I mean, I said you keep rolling. I mean, no different than somebody's walking out with a pukka or something in there. I mean, you're going to see it and you're going to just raz on that and it's so funny. I have this vision, I can see the smallest thing across the room and I'll call it out. Right, right. And they're like, oh, they sit down like, wow, how we saw that? You know, yeah. That's why, that's why when Ronnie's on the stage, guys, do not stand up because you know. That's my saying, don't walk when I talk. Yeah, exactly. Don't walk when you talk because you're going to be the next conversation up there, right? And then, okay, so you know when you were coming, I was meeting you this afternoon. Yeah. I thought, wow, nice shirt, Ronnie, beautiful shirt, but something's different about you. What happened to the hair on your face? I fell off in a... I shaved it. I just was tired of that 60s porn look, so I went, you know, I went with today's style. Yeah, clean. Young. Yeah. Younger, yeah. Younger? I mean, handsome. Handsome comedian. And so, I mean, like, right? So more jobs are going to come because you're getting funnier, you're looking more handsome. And you know, one thing about when I work with you, Ronnie, I got to say you keep everything nice and clean and above the table. And you know, that really promotes for good family health. That's important to me. Yeah, it's really important. You know, the families come and they're out for a good evening and just wanting to have laughter because they know when they're with you, they're going to laugh. That means if they know any better, they know their body's healing, right? Right. Right. Through laughter, continuous laughter. And then, you know what? The jokes continue on in the car. And so maybe the husband or wife came, they were arguing, but when they go home, they don't remember everything you said. And then they quote me a lot and they do. And whenever they see me running to me at the store and they say, oh, you know that stuff you said, they remember everything I said. I'm like, wow, I didn't even know anybody was paying attention. Oh, everybody is paying attention. And then the bad part about when you're in the house, I got to tell you, nobody like leaves. So I'm like, oh, I want to finish the evening, wrap it up. And they're like, no, we want to hear more. I'm like, you mean like Hannah Holt, the comedian on the stage, really? And that's what happens. I'm glad you thought you said that because I was doing this comedy concert in Maui Community Center, but we really can't. And so I had to stop. I was way over the hours, almost two hours already. I stopped and I go, hey, Willie, what time am I supposed to end? He go, let it is. I don't know. It's your concert. Just keep going until you're tired. Exactly. I mean, I've done golf tournaments with you, and usually my goal is just feed them, give them their prizes, call up the teams, and audio is right. They got to go home. They've been with me already about eight hours, right? But something happens when you're with us. They stay. They stay because they had a good day. They came to us, kind of bus up. They had a good day, and then now they're tired, but then you rejuvenate them and you're like stimulating their cells. I got to sober them up before they get in the car. All that oxygen because they're laughing. So that makes so much sense, and that's why I love working with you. Thank you. And that's why everyone, when I work with different events, hey, it's Rodney available. Let's get him fried. Let's get him on the stage because we're going to give them true value because, like I keep saying, they're not having a great time. They're healing. They're going to go home in a better mood. So that means they're not going to pick on the cat. You know, a lot of people say, you know, they cannot believe that I'm 64, and they go, got to be the laughter, I know. It is. I open the mailbox and I see the bills. I die laughing. I'm bigger. They think I'm going to pay them now. I'm going to wait until the envelope turns pink or red and flaming and go, pay now. Oh my gosh. Yeah, I laugh at everything. You got to. I got to. I mean, and that's why, I mean, if more of us would see that side of life, I mean, otherwise, like, I mean, you should have a laughter news or something because everything on the news brings us down. You know, a lot of it brings us down. You got to see road rage. When people cut me off, I give them the shocker. And the guy said to me, he goes, well, that guy almost got you killed. I go, yeah. But maybe he late for work. And if he late one more time, he's going to get fired. Or maybe the wife in the back seat giving birth. I don't know. But just don't hurt me. Take care of it all. Have a good life. Yeah. We live on a rock. And then what happens? I catch them up at the next intersection anyway. Right. And so you better be shocker-ing him, right, because otherwise not good. No, no, no, no. The point being, we live on a rock. We cannot get anywhere fast anyway. So we're going to catch him up. That's right. Cut me off anytime you like. Don't run me over. Okay. So I'm a photo of a plate. Okay. And I know that this is a very important scene for you on this plate. And it says, do more of what makes you happy. Yeah. And so I've heard you say that at your, you know, whenever you're on stage. I say it all the time. Okay. And what does that mean to you, Rodney? If you're not happy, as soon as you wake up to greet the next day, you lost already. You got to wake up happy and loving yourself so that you can love the world. Because if you cannot love yourself, you cannot love anybody else. Yeah. So you got to, if you hate your job, you're not doing what makes you happy. Get another job that makes you happy. Right. A job that you cannot wait to get to. So that's what I tell people, if it's, you're not doing something that makes you happy, you got to change your routine. Okay. Yeah. I say that all. I love that saying, you know, and I found that plate at an antique store. Okay. Yeah. So I took a picture and I literally go, Wait, wait, wait, wait. You found the plate. You've been seeing that all this time. No. Heck no. I've been seeing it already. Maybe they owe me money for putting on a plate. Maybe they're in copy from your show. Yeah. That's why. Right? I've been seeing it. Okay. So Rodney, coming into your show, I'm going to stand up. I'm going to the restroom. Okay. What would you say about me? I go, whoa. Lady, where are you going? Hope everything comes out all right. See you soon. No. Okay. I know, no. I'm not going to stand up because I'm going to your show and I'm not going to stand up. I'm going to make sure I have, depends. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's what most people use now. Okay. So now there's a serious side of Rodney. Yeah. I mean, I know laughter makes you healthier and heals. It boosts your immune system. It helps fight some diseases because when you're down, that negativity is bad for us. So when you bring in laughter, you reverse it. Yeah. I believe that is so true because when you have happy cells, happy is a positive. When you have negative in your life stress, everything, that's where you get heart attacks because you worry about things you cannot control. That's the other thing I always say. Don't worry about things you cannot control. Right. So those two things I live by, do what makes you happy and don't worry about things you cannot control. Right. So in other words, don't worry. Yeah. Be happy. Because people get sick when the doctor tells them they're diagnosed with this. Right. It's between the ears. Well, I can beat this and go on the happy route instead of the negative. Exactly. And then you start to heal yourself. Right. With positive energy versus negative. And that's a important, very important tip. Yeah. And people have to learn this, how to heal themselves. Right. Because it's, like you just said, the diagnosis is bad, but making it worse is accepting it and being down on it. Right. And that negativity will just make that disease flourish. Yeah. So let's beat it. Yeah. Let's beat it out of us. Yes. On that. When you feel negative, the negative works with you. Mm-hmm. When you're positive and the negative is trying to fight the positive energy that cannot. Yeah. So let's win it with laughter. Yeah. That's what you're saying, right? Yeah. All right. So right now we're going to take a 60-second break and we're going to come right back and continue with more laughter because it's so important in our everyday to include laughter, laughter, laughter as much as you can. We've got off for many years now. Oh, yeah. So we'll be right back after this break. Aloha. My name is Mark Shklav. I am the host of Think Tech Hawaii's Law Across the Sea. Law Across the Sea is on Think Tech Hawaii every other Monday at 11 a.m. Please join me where my guests talk about law topics and ideas and music and Hawaii Anna all across the sea from Hawaii and back again. Aloha. When I was growing up, I was among the one in six American kids who struggle with hunger and hungry mornings make tired days. Grumpy days. That kind of days. But with the power of breakfast, the kids in your neighborhood can think big and be more. When we're not hungry for breakfast, we're hungry for more. More ideas. More dreams. More fun. When kids aren't hungry for breakfast, they can be hungry for more. Go to hungeris.org and lend your time or your voice to make breakfast happen for kids in your neighborhood. Aloha. We're returning back now with Rodney Villanueva. And he has a really amazing story and gift for all of you. And it's the gift of laughter. And so we all know that laughter is the best medicine. Yeah. You have to be and also just everywhere, you can just, you have to turn it into medicine actually because you have to see the bright and the funny side of everything to help us get through the day. And that truly helps, doesn't it, Rodney? Yeah. You know, a lot of people, in fact, question. No, you cannot be happy all the time. You cannot be up. I go, if you choose to be, yes, you can. Yes. But if you choose to go and grumble and be nuts, then, yeah, you choose your day. Yes. Exactly. And that's why I love sunrises. Sunrises is important to me because it tells me I'm lucky to be breathing the next day. And you're up. I'm up. Yes. And then during the course of the day when I see a beautiful rainbow, oh my God, that just adds to my days because telling me that these beautiful colors are going to be in my life. And it just means so much to be able to see a rainbow. You know, a lot of people don't get to see that in the state that they come from with all the fog and smog and stuff. We have it every day of our life free right here in Hawaii. Right. And so never take it for granted, right? No. And so what you're saying is, so positive attitudes heal. Yeah. Right? Laughter heals. Yeah. So when you start your day off, you want to start off on a positive note. Right. So what you do is you look at sunrises. Right. And that's very positive. It's beautiful. The colors are amazing. And you find joy in everything that you see. So I mean, pretty much you and I have the same philosophy and as well as, you know, we're hoping more and more that we can be infectious in a positive way. Exactly. So that we can teach people that, you know, this is a choice we make. Yeah. Right? Being healthy, being happy, right? And doing the right things. Just to be happy, we have a choice. Yes. Yes. Right. I'm serious. Just that alone, what you just said, people choose to grumble and be upset about everything that acts them. Mm-hmm. And they age. They go, I've been dyeing my hair since I was in my 40s. You're 64 and your hair is black. I don't worry. Yeah. I choose to be happy. Right, right. So my happy cells in my body is just having a great time. Like a big party, right? Yeah. And so when you let that party out, whenever you go out to entertain or even when you're walking down the street, you're happy. And so people like being around this positiveness. Right. And then if the world would be more on this level, it would be so much healthier. Yes. Right? No, no, I believe that. And I think they can heal themselves just from being happy. Just from being happy, yeah. So yeah, you should go back on the radio and drive happy time with Rodney or something like that. I had a great time when I was on radio before, you know. Right. Because my comedy would make people get into accidents because they look up and they laugh. They bend up. You know, that's why you get your fault insurance. Okay. So we saw what happens in the beginning of your day. You think positively. And now when we're closing your day and you see the sunset. A beautiful sunset. Beautiful sunset. What are your thoughts then? How does that help you refresh through the course of the day? Whether it was positive or whether you encountered some negative? I always look at the sunset as did I do enough today? Did I, did I, it was it, was it a great day? Did I waste a day? Did I do things that made me happy? That was important. And then, you know, it helps me to just stay there and watch the sun go down and say, oh, okay, dear Lord, please let me have a sunrise tomorrow. Right, right. So I recap my day with a sunset. Wow. That's beautiful. I mean, the picture right here of this beautiful sunset that you took. Yeah. You know, that's a, you know, a great way to start your day with a sunrise and look at it and enjoy it, appreciate it. And think of all the things. But understand to get that picture, I had to drive to the ocean. Oh. Out of the city. In other words, I take the time to go look for a sunset. Okay. Yeah. It just doesn't happen. Oh. I look for a sunset. Yeah. See, like for me, I wake up my balcony. Yes. Sunrise, sunset every day. Right. So I don't take it for granted is what I'm saying. Yes. You, you don't either and you drive for it. I look for a beautiful sunset. And then like the rainbows too, right? Again, I look out of my, my balcony and I see the rainbows because I'm living right by Manoa. My phone is full of sunrise, sunset and rainbows. Especially when I'm golfing. Oh, my, when I'm golfing, I see the most beautiful rainbows and I stop and take pictures and guys go, Hey, hurry up. Hit the wall. So we're going rainbow. Golfers. So if you like wind over him, point out all the beautiful things in life because he's one of those kinds of guys that loves that stuff. A beautiful shot. Right. Beautiful shot. Beautiful. And you know, enjoying all the things that life has to offer you and never taking any of that for granted. Right. So important. Yeah. That's why you look healthy and young. Oh, thank you. Because you're, you're doing the right things. Yeah. You're breathing good air. You're laughing. Keeping your insights happy with happy cells. On a Saturday when I have two jobs, one at 10, one luncheon and one dinner, I look forward to the second job because I'm already pumped up and just amped that I made this many people laugh already. Right. And I want to keep it going. What a high. Natural high and laughter. Yeah. Because your abundance to your cells are just, you know, just going crazy in there. Right. So I want to just talk real quickly. You know, like you do, you love golf. Yeah. I know you love golf because every now and then, I need help or Wendy, I'm going to do a golf turn in. So I said, done. Right. I'm right there with you because I know anytime you get involved with something, it's not, I mean, I know there's no such thing as 200%, but it's 100% plus with you. So you're doing what you love. Right. And then on the course, you're having a good time with your friends and the sponsors and donors, but when you come back, now you go to work. Right. And then your job is to detox them from either a bad shot, a bad day, or going home. Maybe it's like they're looking for it, not looking forward to that part. So you're giving them more joy again on stage. Right. Oh, yeah. Right. You know, I've been blessed to put together some big projects like the Iniki concert I put together for the island of Kauaiko. That island got wiped out. Right. And then maybe Alana Dang, when I put the big concert together over at the Blaisdell in seven days, 36 of the Hawaii's top musicians, just to try and see if we can find a match for her bone marrow. We did not find one for her, unfortunately, but we did for many other people in the world. Wow. That was the chicken skin like they want to have right now. Yeah. And then recently, when they had that flood over in, well, first of all, it's supposed to be for Puerto Rico, where my uncle, they live in. My dad is born and raised in Puerto Rico. Oh, wait. But that's why the color is today. You see how I look? Oh, yeah. Right? The color. The color. The color. That's why I chose this island, because I look like you, right? But he called. I mean, he got in touch with me on Facebook. He says, Nephi, we don't have any electricity. I said, but the storm was last September. He says, yeah, we're still suffering. So I was going to make a good word gesture between Hawaii and Puerto Rico and send them some money to my generators and stuff like that. And then the flood came in on Kaua'i. And now my mom is from Kaua'i. So my dad is from Puerto Rico. And my mom is from Kaua'i. So I helped Kaua'i instead. Wow. And so that was the last call I had from you. Hey, the Borinke, the Borinke Golf Tournament, right? And I mean, you were amazing. It was like four weeks out. Yeah. It's when you called me and you said, I need some help. We need to help the people of Kaua'i. There's children of Hanalei Elementary School and the taro farms of Hanalei. And Jess, can you help? I said, shoot. You called me and I wrote it down. And boy, you nailed it. Oh, no. It was stressful at the beginning, the day of. And then once I took the mic, I just went back into my zone. You went into your zone and everybody laughed. I mean, dire situation. Right, right. But yeah, and that's why everyone stayed again. It was a long day. Yeah. But the laughter kept coming on and on and on. And you know what? You turned the event, which was to help the people of Hanalei. Yeah. And you bought them out because some of them felt like, hey, I didn't do anything for our people there. So you allowed them to have that opportunity to do that. Yeah. So that made them feel good because now they're a part of it. That's why I called it the Island Helping Island with Taloha. Right. That was my mission. Yeah. Wow. That was powerful. I mean, we had a great time. Oh, yeah. Great, great time. We did it again. Yeah. Right? And I know you were like with all your friends and all of that. Oh, it was people that I just met in stores and go, hey, you let coffee one time. I mean, I was picking them off the streets, but they were going, okay. Right. And they were buying a team. Right. And the reason for that was because they did not do personally much to help the others. But by participating with you and this event, they felt now a part of it. Right. And that was so important that you allowed people of the way to do that, as well as people from outside. They were donating money as well. Right. Exactly. Yeah. I had some great sponsors too. Right. So lovely, lovely time. So, you know, we'll go back to that plate again. Yeah. Yeah. Just being happy. Yeah. Every day in your life. I mean, what is, you know, I know when you wake up, how you feel. You fill your day with positiveness and joy. You end your day. And then in the course of the day, how do you write your material? Or do you write material? Or does it just come? Honestly, it just comes. It puts me on stage. It gives me great health. It gives me the ability to be in front of hundreds of people at a time. And in fact, I'm getting ready to leave in October to do the convention, the World Aviation Convention in Florida. They called me. They saw me at a gig and using me in Florida to make their people laugh. And I'm like, wow, that's a big time. Because I just did the one in Long Beach in January. Wow. And the Americans in the mainland are calling me to make their people laugh. Because they said, how can you do that? Shooting from the hip and not even having a piece of paper, but you keep going. Right. And then people always complain. They say, you don't give a chance to laugh because you tell the next funny thing and we don't know what we laughing about. And they're looking at you. What are you saying? Never mind. Just laugh. And I know that you are good friends with Melvin. Oh, yeah. So, and congratulations. Big show. Yes, yes. She has announced that she had some health issues. Yes. And now with all the laughter you hanging out with her and just allowing her to laugh and her positiveness in her life has helped her overcome some of these health challenges. She calls me from time to time just to, so she said, okay, Rani, let's talk. And she just needs somebody to bring out. She like free healing. Yeah. That's what it is. She like free healing, right? She is a beautiful lady. Yes. I mean, first Willie, I mean these are big time entertainers. CK used me to go on the road with him and I traveled with him. Now Melvin is asking me to work with her at Blue Note. Right. On September 1st. I'm like, wow. Come on out. I don't know if all the seats are sold out already. I don't know. But I was, yeah, I go, are you sure that you can have anybody you want? She goes, no, I want you. Right. Right. Because you know why? You were her healing counselor throughout her ordeal. And now that she's come out and announced it. Right. She wants you to be with her. Right. So you all can heal together. And the message for that event will be her talents along with yours, but that together we can change our lives. Right. And together you both have changed your lives. Yeah, yeah. Right? I've known her from a small kid. We grew up in a lot of housing together and we had no clue we were both going to turn out to be entertainers. To be successful entertainers of Hawaii and Icons. We were so blessed. Yes, yes. Must be the water you guys were drinking. Right. And I just became, oh no. The Tiro, the Tiro. Don't walk when Rodney is talking. Get done. I've had guys that tried to challenge me like that night at the golf tournament. Remember that guy from that chicken place? He was trying his best to be on heckler. Right. And I was shooting him down. And the other guy told me, no, you're going to lose. Don't challenge Rodney against how funny you're going to lose. Oh, so funny. Wow. So we are so blessed. I mean, now my audience will go away with, you know, maybe just laughing more at what? Or at least taking him up being positive from now on. Right. You know, if you guys get anything out of this show, choose your day. Yes. I mean, yes, we all have bills. We all have problems. We all have this. But choose to be happy. Yes. Because at least you're breathing and you're not dead. Right, right, right. And people, if you think you got it bad, somebody's got it worse. Yes. Just look under the viada. Right, right. Yeah. And so thank you so much Rodney for coming on. Oh, no, thank you for having me there. And, you know, just sharing your heart and just helping us heal. Yeah. And without much cost. I mean, right, just because I keep saying it's free. It's inside. We just got to live it home. It's inside. Yeah. And we just have to acknowledge it and accept it and live it. Right. Right. We have to live happy. Yeah, yeah. And that's what I tell people. Just choose the happy side. Right. Don't choose the sad side. You're really sick. Why make yourself sicker? Yeah, exactly. So Mahalo Rodney. Oh, no, thank you. I truly appreciate you coming with us today. Thanks for having me on your show. And this is such a great location. A great thing that this company is giving you an opportunity to share people. To share, taking your health back. Yeah. So Mahalo, until next, next week, Tuesday at 2 o'clock. Aloha.