Aloha!
I’m Malika Dudley
Most days you can find me chasing my children, sitting in front of my green screen, nose in a book or consuming personal and professional development online. I’m a Big Island girl at heart, and now a Maui mama. I’m a wife to my husband Kaimi, and devoted mother of two amazing, spirited, kolohe (rascal) little ones. I’m a podcaster, journalist, host, producer, coach, consultant, writer, singer, teacher, student, lover of nature, and a woman who simultaneously seeks calming comforts and soul-awakening adventures!
I am mostly known for serving my community with up-to-the-minute pro bono severe weather updates – yes, the weather isn’t always perfect! People often refer to them as “tita bun” updates, as most days you’ll find me in yoga pants and a mom bun. Otherwise, this surfer mama lives in a bikini!
The things I’m most passionate about in life are family, friends, and serving my community in whatever small way I can.
I enjoy teaching free CPR classes, donating blood with the Blood Bank of Hawaii (I’m O+ baby!), organizing food drives/fundraisers for the Maui Food Bank, helping to promote local people and businesses, using my platform as an influencer to encourage sustainable living practices, regularly hosting events, and (try my best at) inspiring people at my speaking engagements.
“Embrace the glorious mess that you are”.
-Elizabeth Gilbert
With my podcast and this new website, I hope to provide a safe space for us to share about our communication struggles, and learn from experts the tangible strategies that we can use to help beautify our communication in our relationships, online, at work, in our home, and even with that inner bully in our heads.
I really believe in embracing our true selves, and hope to guide my children so that they can be emotionally intelligent, socially responsible, caring citizens that give back to our local community and strive to help others (and the earth) to be healthy and happy.
As a recovering perfectionist, I’ve adopted a new family motto which revolves around progress. It’s not uncommon to hear, “slow progress, is still progress,” and “practice makes progress” in our home.
If you’re yearning for a mama-friend to grow with, share with, learn with, and commiserate with - I’m your girl.
You might have seen me on:
-
![]()
1982
The curly-haired girl you see here was born in 1982 on the island of Oahu, and grew up near Hilo on the island of Hawaii.
-
![]()
1992
I’m the oldest of four. We fought a lot growing up, but hese days there’s no one I’d rather spend time with.
-
![]()
1994
Karate was a big part of our life. My family also loved being in and around the ocean. I learned to surf as a teen.
-
![]()
2000
My best friend Sarah and I graduating from Hilo High. I was one of six valedictorians. RIL Sarah…
-
![]()
2005
In 2004, I competed for the title of Miss Hawaii - and lost. The next year I was determined to leave it all out there on that stage - and I became Miss Hawaii 2005!
-
![]()
2007
This was my first day on-air for KGMB9 News. I was terrified. I learned on the job and enrolled in a Broadcast Meteorology program at Mississippi State University.
-
![]()
2012
There’s a Judley in my belly! (Dudley + Judd) I was still living on Oahu but hubs was working on the Big Island. So we decided to pull the plug and move home. I resigned from TV news to be a mama.
-
![]()
2013
We had a courthouse wedding in 2011. Two years later we tied the knot in front of our family and friends on a very windy day in Kona.
-
![]()
2014
We lived in Waimea for about a year. Then, Kaimi got a job on Maui and we picked our whole life up and moved to Kihei. That year Jackson got whooping cough and we were quarantined.
-
![]()
2015
Jackson was 2 years old - and crazy. So, we weren’t “ready” for number two, but we knew we had to get the show on the road! And literally this baby bump went on the road - this is Waipuna and I at the Hawaii Five-0 red carpet.
-
![]()
2015
She’s here… and boom! We became a family of four. At the time we had moved to Wailuku - which felt like home because it reminded me so much of Hilo.
-
![]()
2018
Here we are in Montana. We love our yearly snow trips! On this trip, Jackson exclaimed, “I’m going to be a scientist, an artist, AND a ski instructor when I grow up!”
-
![]()
2018
Behind me, the Puna lava flow and fissure 8… hands down the most important, emotional, and best work I’ve ever done as a reporter. My sister, Emily, lost her home to the lava and her family was displaced.
-
![]()
2019
When Wai was 7 months old, she choked. And I had to save her. My blog about it went viral and led to me becoming a certified CPR instructor. I’ve taught hundreds of people to save lives! How cool is that?
-
![]()
2019
Bucket list - check! I’m a UH-Mānoa graduate and re-enrolled to finish my Masters in 2019. I’ve been invited to sing the anthems for sporting events, and finally got to sing at a football game!
-
![]()
2020
The kids homeschooled with mommy during the pandemic. We have an underlying health issue and took extra precautions. So, all they had was each other.
-
![]()
2020
After six years of freelancing, I lost my job at PMG due to the pandemic. KITV4 news scooped me up a few months later to be the weekend meteorologist for Good Morning Hawaii. Love!
-
![]()
2021
After 16 years, through a pandemic, and after extending my Masters for an additional year - I finally graduated! UH-Maui allowed me to walk as a distance learner.
-
![]()
2021
My thesis project was born. It’s a podcast that brings communication research to listeners. The podcast launched at #13 on the Apple Podcast charts!
You might be surprised…
to know these six random things about me! These are the TRUTHS that tend to stump people whenever I play “two truths and a lie.”
My heart was bursting!
“Here are just a few things that her fellow contestants have said about her. Everyone wants her company. She’s gone out of her way to be encouraging and helpful. She’s spirited, energetic, and generous. She has an addictive smile, laugh, and personality. She’s beautiful inside and out, and she truly brings happiness to everybody she encounters. Pretty high praise. Miss Congeniality is… Miss Hawaii, Malika Dudley.”
James Denton, Desperate Housewives
Host, Miss America Pageant
I’m an #Instamama…
@MalikaDudley for life’s ups & downs, Maui, motherhood, and the daily hustle. Tap below!
Join the 'ohana
I generally use social media to connect with all of you, but we all know that it’s easy to miss things! This list is your sure fire way to be in the know. Monthly updates, inspo, and resources to help you live your best life!
