In this episode, Aunty Piilani shares a series of close calls from her catering days in Eaton Rapids. With the help (and occasional chaos) of her employees, she recounts a handful of unforgettable situations that could have ended in disaster, but didn’t, thanks to a little quick thinking, a lot of experience, and what she likes to call her magic.

It’s a glimpse behind the scenes of events that guests thought were seamless… and the reality that was anything but. You'll have to listen to find out, but let's just say that we almost called this one Don't Let Jeff Drive.

In this episode, Aunty Piilani begins her Michigan chapter, starting in Lansing and adjusting to a completely different life, climate and pace before eventually making her way to Eaton Rapids. But once she gets into the kitchen, things pick up. We hear about the early days of Piilani’s Restaurant and Catering, her high standards for her staff, and the reputation she was determined to build — even if it meant she felt like she was "Lady Gordon Ramsay.” And yes, this is the episode featuring the infamous pineapple incident. It’s a quiet start with flashes of the fire to come in our next episode.

In this episode, Aunty Piilani tells the story of meeting Paul, the man who would become her fourth and final husband. What begins as a chance encounter while she’s working as a tour guide quickly turns into something much bigger. Swept up by persistence, charm, and more than a little sparkle, she makes a series of fast, life-changing decisions. Within weeks, loose ends are tied, bags are packed, and she leaves Hawaiʻi for Michigan, beginning a chapter that would last more than three decades. It’s a story of momentum, risk, and the moments that quietly reroute an entire life — with a few surprises best left uncovered by listening.