Balance, Hawai'i, Impact, Life•
on February 28th, 2010•
About a week ago, a friend of mine tweeted something that triggered a variety of thoughts and self-evaluation. She shared that she was at an event listening to the speaker who was promoting awareness and need to another country, but she couldn’t help but think about the need only a few blocks away.
The human race continues to rally triumphantly in the efforts to aid Haiti after a devastating earthquake. Last year, the Hawaii community organized fundraisers for the Phillipines after it too suffered an earthquake and after a tidal wave swept through American Samoa. These are all honorable and I’ve supported each of these causes, but I still can’t help but think about my Hawaii.
Almost a year ago, our entire household made a commitment to spend 10% of our grocery budget on locally grown and produced items. This simple commitment has expanded to a larger percentage of our budget and more importantly awareness of locally owned businesses. But, I am realizing that this may not be enough…for me. I want to make a bigger community to my Hawaii community, one that will give them priority, after all this is my home, these are my people, my immediate family.
Moving forward, I’d like to participate in organizing events for the local neighborhoods, businesses, and organizations. I’d like to infuse my energy into raising money for local charities and organizations that directly serve my Hawaii. With respect to public service, I am putting the needs of Hawaii…first.
Some people are called to serve globally, as for me, at this point in my life I am heeding the call of my heart, Hawaii.
Hawai'i, Impact, Life•
on February 16th, 2010•
“The Nineteenth Amendment (Amendment XIX) to the United States Constitution prohibits each state and the federal government from denying any citizen the right to vote because of that citizen’s sex. It was ratified on August 18, 1920.” — Wikipedia
The right to vote was something I learned from my Nanny, my maternal grandmother. She was very passionate about her right to vote and even more passionate about her freedom of speech. As far back as I can remember, many of our family dinner discussions were about local politics, government, and the issues facing each citizen. There weren’t many arguments, but passionate disagreements. As children, we were encouraged to get involved during the election season with the promise of being able to vote at the age of eighteen. We were also encouraged to read and learn more about the candidates, the issues, and our community. And, most importantly we were secure in our choices because there was an abundance of unconditional love in our family…still.
Today, I officially join the Abercrombie for Governor campaign team. Regardless of our agreement in political parties or stance on issues, one thing is certain that the State of Hawaii desires leadership. Over the past few years, I’ve gotten to talk with Neil and he has listened, offered support, and most importantly given me a commitment to lead. It’s his commitment to me, to my community, to my Hawaii — today — that encourages me to be a member of his campaign team.
My role on the team is, Social Media Director. Neil has been an active member of Twitter since 2007 and I am motivated by his open-mindedness and willingness to recognize the importance of reaching out to the community via different social media tools.
I am looking to build the AFG community even stronger than it is, so if you’re interested in learning more about using different social networking sites and harnessing the power of social media, let me know. If anything, get involved!
Today at 4:00 p.m. Hawaii time, 6:00 p.m. PST, my friend, Jim Turner, Founder of One by One Media, will be hosting the Haitian Assistance Relief Telethon (#HART) for 24-hours courtesy of WSRadio.com.
I am asking that each of my 1,553 friends on Facebook and 10,411 followers on Twitter donate whatever amount you can afford, but at least $1 using one of the donation What Gives!? widgets below. From my network, I’ve set a goal of $5,000 — together, we can reach this goal!
Listen and watch the show live and call in 1-888-327-0061. I’ll be on at 9:00 p.m. Hawaii time and I’d like to be able to say we’ve reached our goal together! Leave a comment below and I’ll thank you on-air!
Uncategorized•
on December 23rd, 2009•
Over on the Outrigger Hawaii blog, I did a guest post about how Christmas is celebrated in Hawaii. I share about the changes of seasons that occur on the islands, yes we have them you just need to know how to recognize them. Head on over and read the Season of Ohana.
Uncategorized•
on November 12th, 2009•
What are some of your favorite childhood memories that you continue with your own children today? Over on the So Much More Hawaii blog, I shared mine about Ala Moana Beach Park. Take a look at one of the most beautiful views on Oahu.
If you know me, you know that I was raised around the art of hula. I am only now, through the interest of my children, returning to the art that I love so dearly. I shared from my heart, over on the So Much More Hawaii blog a brief history of the origins of hula and photos of my family.
For more about Hawaii’s local traditions, values, and culture visit Hawaii Traditions.
Global Entrepeneurship Week: November 16 – 22, 2009
For one week, millions of young people around the world will join a growing movement of entrepreneurial people, to generate new ideas and seek better ways of doing things. Countries across six continents are coming together to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week, an initiative to inspire young people to embrace innovation, imagination and creativity. To think big. To turn their ideas into reality. To make their mark.
On Wednesday, November 18, 2009 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at ING Direct Cafe, I’ll be participating on the Young and Hip Entrepreneurs of Hawaii panel. With me will be Lorenz Sell of I Love of Photos and FindMeFit and Tiffany Tanaka of Fresh Cafe.
An entrepreneur for sure, I’m still trying to figure out if I’m young or hip enough for this panel, but if you have the time come down.
If you’re heading to Maui, consider taking a ride on the Sugar Cane Train in Lahaina. It’s a ride down the tracks of nostalgia. I shared my family photos of our recent trip on the So Much More Hawaii blog.
Read more about Hawaii’s Waipahu Sugar Mill and Dole Plantation.
Over on the So Much More Hawaii blog I wrote about our family excursion to Kualoa Ranch. There are many outdoor activities and tours offered by the Ranch. We especially enjoyed learning about ancient innovation of the Hawaiian people of the construction of the still existing, Molii Fishpond. Lilinoe even took her turn throwing a fishnet to harvest the fruit of the water. Head on over to see what she caught at Kualoa Ranch.
Balance, Featured, Life•
on October 26th, 2009•
I really love WordPress and all of the creative geniuses that design themes and plugins that make building and maintaining websites a relatively smooth process. Originally designed as blogging software, WordPress now has become the software of choice. But, in the past year, I’ve really grown to love the ease of using Posterous, especially for sharing a gallery of photos or videos.
But, there needs to be distinction between my WordPress powered blog, From the Mind of NEENZ and iNEENZ powered by Posterous. I named it iNEENZ because most of my posts come from using my iPhone due to both the app and email to post option.
And so, moving forward, From the Mind of NEENZ will focus on what’s going on in my life professionally with Alltop, Pono Media, Grilled Cornbread LLP, Hawaii Traditions, and any other venture. iNEENZ will focus on all that’s good in my life personally.
Featured, Hawai'i•
on October 26th, 2009•
Earlier this year, the State of Hawaii, Hawaii Tourism Authority tested the social media waters by launching a familiarization tour using bloggers with a substantial and global reach. Many balked at the idea for their own reasons, but I embraced it because it was a ray of sunlight on social and new media in an otherwise dark room. Known as “So Much More Hawaii” the goals were not only to introduce HTA to social and new media, but for the bloggers to experience so much more of Hawaii rather than a shuttled, packaged tour. To accomplish this and inspired by the late Rap Reiplinger, I reached out to my network for “Puka Shell Tour Guides.”
This pairing of local with visitor, whether blogger or not, was one of the successes of the tour. Another success, is the embracing of the tour’s official website, So Much More Hawaii: A Blogger’s View of Paradise by the State of Hawaii now managed by the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau.
During the month of October, I’ll be sharing articles about my Hawaii and the things that I do with Lilinoe and our children to give visitors an idea that there’s so much more about Hawaii.
My first article is already posted about the time Lilinoe and I went parasailing. Check it out, and I hope you get inspired to book a reservation: Water Activities: Parasailing
Featured, Hawai'i, Tech-ish•
on October 26th, 2009•
If you didn’t know, I love my home, Hawaii — unconditionally. Her beauty, her people, our community, our challenges, our success — I am proud, always. It’s no secret that we’re faced with economically challenging times, the toughest I’ve experienced as an adult. These challenges can cause communities to breakdown, feel hopeless, and make irrational decisions or worse yet, none at all. As for me and my household, we continue to paddle our canoe forward and as an entrepreneur, I am Co-organizing two events that I am certain will provide hope and inspiration.
[re]Think: Hawaii — “We’re creating an intersection – bringing an international group of people together who might otherwise never cross-paths – in the certainty that they’ll connect, share and learn from one another.” I am grateful to be able to travel to different tech, business, and social media conferences throughout the continental United States. Not every entrepreneur, small business owner, or social media geek is able to afford the same opportunity. My efforts with [re]Think: Hawaii are to bring to Hawaii, my community the opportunity to meet with leaders in technology, venture capital, social media, sustainability, and business. With less than a week to go, are you making the most of this opportunity?
TEDxHonolulu– (x = an independently organized TED event) “In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x=independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.” The theme for TEDxHonolulu is SHIFT — (v.) To change position, direction, place, or form. (n.) A change in attitude, judgment, or emphasis. As the license holder and Curator of TEDxHonolulu, I am putting together a group of local and global speakers to inspire the audience to SHIFT. This is a free event, if you’d like to attend TEDxHonolulu on Thursday, November 5, 2009, please request an invite.
The first week of November will be very important for entrepreneurs, investors, small business owners, and the entire Hawaii community. I am looking forward to seeing everyone.
Part of being an entrepreneur is having a creative mind that is constantly churning out ideas. Call it curse or a blessing, I’d like to think it’s the latter. I wanted to share the current portfolio of web properties owned and managed by Pono Media.
A history of research, science, and technology in Hawaii’s emergining innovation industries
Traditions, Values, and Culture…Hawaii Style.
Inspiring the State of Hawaii to GET INVOLVED!
Featured, Hawai'i, Life•
on October 26th, 2009•
For more than a year my email signature read: “Pono Media [Coming Soon!]” and I probably purchased the domain name before then too. I knew that I wanted to launch my own startup, however finding it’s focus was a challenge. Media is my passion, but it was too broad, if I were going to make a difference in the world, I needed to narrow down my focus. Internet marketing too was too broad of a scope, however by combining the two and acknowledge the path that media and marketing has embarked, I knew that social media marketing was my focus for Pono Media.
Established in February 2009, Pono Media is a social media marketing company that builds communities through social media. Social media and its tools have allowed viewers, readers, and consumers to become publishers. No longer is media a monologue, but a conversation with the ability to span the globe.
Are you aware of the conversation being conducted about you, your organization, your brand? It’s happening. Do you have a clear strategy in joining the conversation? You should. Is your entire team trained and able to implement the strategy? They should be. Do you have an online community? It’s time.
Pono Media is building communities, through social media and would like to teach you to do the same.
Featured, Impact, Life•
on October 15th, 2009•
It only takes a small group to make a difference, to change the world and in the case of Blog Action Day it only took the passion of (2) people to inspire others. In 2007, Collis & Cyan Ta’eed founded, Blog Action Day and inspired 20,000 bloggers to write about the environment.
Today is the 3rd Annual Blog Action Day, and keeping with bringing attention to the environment, this year’s theme is about Climate Change.
Climate change is a change in the statistical distribution of weather over periods of time that range from decades to millions of years. It can be a change in the average weather or a change in the distribution of weather events around an average (for example, greater or fewer extreme weather events). Climate change may be limited to a specific region, or may occur across the whole Earth. — Wikipedia.
Being from Hawaii, I’d like to share resources that talk about Island Climate Change:
Today, October 15, 2009 is Blog Action Day, thousands strong bringing awareness to the environment — to climate change. The key word is action, and if your only action is reading more about climate and island climate change; then we’ve taken a step forward — together.
