Building a Community for Turtle Bay Resort

Earlier this year I decided to launch Get Involved Hawaii to bring awareness to legislative bills that caught my personal attention. One that came across my screen was SB894 RELATING TO LAND ACQUISITION which would “Direct the Governor, or the Governor’s designee, to negotiate with the current owners of the undeveloped portions of the property commonly known as Turtle Bay Hotel and Resort located in Kahuku, Oahu, related entitites, and successors in interest, to conserve the subject property through purchase, easement, or other means provided by law. Appropriates an unspecified amount.”

Immediately, I became concerned because this bill would appropriate an unspecified amount of money ($100 million was part of the discussion) to purchase land. There are so many other things that need funding like our public school teachers’ salaries that purchasing land shouldn’t be a top priority of any legislator. Also, it seemed contradictory to the movement towards developing public lands, however that’s an entirely other issue.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t paying too much attention to the on-going issues regarding Turtle Bay Resort, so I needed to do some research. I quickly learned that ownership had changed since the initial announcement of develop to originally build five new hotels. In order to gain more insight, I did what others should do, I reached out to the new leadership, Replay Resorts.

Since initially reaching out in February 2013, my company Pono Media has been retained as a consultant to and specifically support and build awareness of the SEIS and changes the new owners have made to accommodate the voices of the community. Plus, the community contributions that Turtle Bay Resort provides in terms of jobs and support.

Unfortunately, the large majority of the community from Waialua through Kaneohe is not as vocal as the transplanted minority. In fact, one opposition has named themselves as defenders of Oahu, a false claim since they do not represent me, a resident born and raised on this island.

I realize that once again my support of a development project may be in direct disagreement with family, friends, and colleagues; however to me, diversity enforces the strength of a community. I will provide information, it’s up to you as residents to make up your mind. Regardless of your decision, you are still a member of my community.

My team sifted through the data and designed this infographic to visualize the information.

Get Involved Hawaii on Tumblr

As many of you know much of my life’s work is committed to building communities, especially home here in Hawaii. I don’t have all of the answers or profess to have them. All I have is my mind to discern, my heart to temper, and my passion to drive. And, sometimes isn’t that enough to Get Involved Hawaii?

I will be sharing legislative bills, projects (nonprofit and private) and causes that I support and want to build communities for. Please let me know if you have a project or cause that you would like me to consider supporting.

I appreciate your subscription and sharing via email, Facebook, and Twitter with your personal community.

The time is now to get involved.

iPad app recommendations for Peace of Mind

This afternoon I spent a couple of hours with the CTE leaders from Nanakuli, Campbell, Kapolei, and Waipahu high school. I was asked to share some iPad app recommendations, the same as I did last year. Last year I recommend more education related apps like Khan Academy and Mindmeister, however this year I wanted to do something different.

I thought about the challenges and burdens that our public school teachers endure each day. Sure, I thought about the financial constraints, however when I truly empathized about their daily routines I began to wonder how often any public school teacher is asked about their personal well-being. And then I realized, I should focus my recommendations based on my goal setting framework, the Peace of Mind Square.

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Imagine A Woman

Lilinoe and I spent the afternoon talking story with a group of some of Hawaii’s leading women. Some we knew from previous events and others we met for the first time. We are all a part of a global sisterhood connected through one common goal — liberty, however we each define it.

Today I received the gift of a poem and I wanted to share it with all of you. It reads:

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Speaking: Small Business Fair at Leeward Community College

What do you want?

Believe it or not, the above question is one that challenges many people. Sure, we could rattle off quick answers, however the follow up question is: “Based on your actions, what do you want?” Too often, what we want in our hearts and minds contradict what we do in our everyday lives. Once we realize this the third question is: “What are you doing about it?”

Launch Your Dreams into Reality 2013

If one of your dreams is to start, own, or grow your business then register and attend the free Small Business Fair at Leeward Community College on Saturday, February 2, 2013. Presented by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, US Small Business Administration, Leeward Community College, Leeward Community College, Internal Revenue Service, Business Action Center, DBEDT, Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Dept. of Taxation, Bank of Hawaii, Empower Oahu, Foreign Trade Zone #9 topics of discussion range from forming your business, insurance, copyrights, patents, and trademarks, web development, marketing, and social media.

I will be speaking from 11am – 12pm on “The Art of Building Communities”. Please join me.

Kickstarting the new year

This post is not about the entrepreneurial journey that Lilinoe and I have embarked on. This is about the three projects we backed on funding platform Kickstarter. In the past 9-months, I’ve backed five startup projects. In the same way I choose my clients for Pono Media, LLC, I back startups on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. I have to find a personal connection with the product and then immediately realize its value. There are many projects I personally connect too, however I do not find its immediate value and either recommend it to others or pass altogether.

Hawaii Bitters Company

The first project I backed was Hawaii Bitters Company co-founded by serial entrepreneur Mike Prasad and co-founder of Imbibe Hawaii, Kyle Reutner. The personal connection was the curiosity of understanding an ingredient like bitters to cocktails. Everyone who knows me knows that I adhere to my strict rule of not upgrading from Coors Light, however I will enjoy a cocktail and wondered how bitters would enhance my flavorful experience. The immediate value I found was that Lilinoe and I do a lot of entertaining with friends that include beer, wine, and spirits. Hawaii Bitters will be a great addition to our arsenal of mixes.

Universe of One: The Book

The second project I backed was an art project by local photographer extraordinaire Cheyne Galarde, Universe of One: The Book. I met Cheyne like most social people do these days via Twitter and his energy was as fiercely familiar as his art. And, like most social people, we had not kept in touch with each other too often, however like social networks are supposed to work I learned about this project from a mutual artist friend. As soon as I saw the video pitch I was hooked! The personal connection I felt was that I’ve always been a fan of his work and the immediate value was an opportunity for Cheyne  to transform himself into me! What can I say, he appealed to my vanity. Plus, he reminds me of one of my favorite multi-faceted performer John Leguizamo.

ATOMS Express Toys

The third project I backed was system of plug-n-play sensors, motors and logic blocks for kids and adults to make things that do amazing things called ATOMS Express Toys. This project appealed to the geek in me and the immediate value I found was yet another project for me and Jayden Boy to work on together. We pledged to receive the iOS Control Set. And, as luck would have it, I also am the grand prize winner of a 5th generation iPod Touch for promoting this project to my community.

1 Second Everyday App

I’m not quite sure how I stumbled upon the third project I backed, however I think it was from reading an article from one of the news and blog sources that I subscribe too. The 1 Second Everyday app appealed to my personal practice of being social and the value I found was that I would be able to have an archive of content of me and my family’s life. I will also be able to send one 1-second clip to be compiled with a best of 2013 video of all of the backers that pledged for the same reward.

Thrive: Art Classes for Kids on Your iPad

I learned about the Thrive: Art Classes for Kids on Your iPad project from my dear friend in Seattle. She thought of me and others because we’re parent. I took a look and thought the idea was a smart and logical idea. Yet another project for Jayden Boy and I to work on together this year. Now, at the time, I didn’t have time to pledge and honestly, had forgotten. Until, my same dear friend in Seattle nudged an urgent reminder because there were only a few days left and a large amount still to raise. That time, I immediately pledged and promptly received the prototype to the art classes.

Last year I also backed local fashion and music projects on Indiegogo. If you’re looking for funding for your project, consider these funding platforms.