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.
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!
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.
A few weeks ago I had a midnight rendezvous with my friends Melissa Chang and Ed Morita — I invited Lilinoe, but she declined reminding me that we were frolicking the streets of Honolulu at the hour most forty-somethings are drifting into REM. Our late night out required me to have (3) outfits, a smile, and an appetite. Armed with blue, black, and peach freshly pressed shirts; I hopped into the 2010 Toyota Prius and cruised on over to Alan Wong’s restaurant.
We were there for a photo shoot for a public service announcement for The Good Table — a movement to end Senior hunger. Honorary Chair Alan Wong and a 15-member committee have organized an event on Thursday, October 22, 2009 to benefit Lanakila Pacific’s Meals on Wheels Program.
Founded 70 years ago by the passion and generosity of Violet Kam, formerly known as the Lanakila Rehabilitation Center, their Meals on Wheels Program prepares and delivers more than 1,700 nutritional meals a day.
Lending my support to Lanakila Pacific is very personal for me, several years ago I spent many nights talking story with my late Aunty Ulu over coffee (or in my case, passion orange juice) while the medical staff worked with my late Uncle Gary after he suffered a stroke. Today, I’m giving back in many ways for my gratitude.
Here’s how you can get involved:
Or, the best ways to get involved is by reserving a table at one of the 50 participating restaurants on October 22, 2009.
Watch for it on Oceanic Time Warner Cable’s Food Network, Travel Channel, TLC, Golf and others beginning today through the next six weeks or check it out on YouTube.
Through building my professional network, I have gained a personal friend — Melanie Kosaka, creator and founder of culinary website, Share Your Table. The team effort of Melanie, and local blogger, writer, and everyone’s favorite pushy Chinee broad Melissa Chang; I have been discovering my inner foodie. It’s obvious that I love to eat, but being a foodie is also about appreciating the process and creativity involved in before plating (and eventually devouring).
Share Your Table recently hosted, “Think Global, Live Local“ at the Whole Foods in Kahala Mall Center that focused on educating the local community in living an organic and sustainable lifestyle through grower appearances and demos by some of Hawaii’s most famous chefs.
SYT issued a challenge to all of Hawaii residents to spend 10% of their budget on locally produced products. To better understand some facts behind this challenge, SYT produced “Why Eat Local” video. After watching it, it inspired both Lilinoe and I to commit to this challenge.
Beginning today we have commited to spending 10% of our budget on locally grown and produced items for the next 90-days and then evaluate our experience. To accomplish these things, we are using the following resources:
And, the biggest resource is you our community, what are you suggestions to helping us achieve this goal? Are you too willing to make this commitment in your town?
Balance, Featured, Impact, Life•
on April 1st, 2009•
Regardless of the advancement of technology, reading books will always be one of the fundamentals of any skill set. I have learned that I am easily visually distracted, so although an audio book or podcast may be blasting into my ears; if something so happens to catch my eye, my mind tunes out what I’m hearing and focuses on what I am seeing.
Growing up my parents read hundreds, maybe thousands of books, and while they emphasized the importance of reading, they also encouraged us to make our own choices. It wasn’t until I was older that I began to implement better reading practices into my everyday routine, and am grateful that those practices have become one of my strongest tools in life.
So I wanted to share some of my favorites of what I’ve read, what I’m reading, and what I plan to read.
My favorite book of all-time is Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull. I believe I first read it when I was 8 or 9 years old, but it wasn’t until re-reading it at 15 that I truly felt it’s motivational spirit. Since then, I’ve purchased many copies as gifts, especially for young minds. Coincidentally, during a transitional time in my life in 2004, my friend and Director, Al Treutler recommended another of Bach’s books, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah. Today, my gifts are a set of Bach’s two books. Copies of both books are always on my nightstand.
I remember when I first read John Grisham’s The Firm, I could not put it down. It was 1993 and every square foot of our home was occupied by a visiting relative, except the corner of the backyard that had no lighting and (you guessed it) - the bathroom. So, at 3 in the morning, sitting on the cold tile, I finally read the fate of Mitch McDeere. Grisham writes about embezzlement, greed, witness tampering, blackmail, money, and sometimes getting away with it – who doesn’t enjoy being swept into a fantasy of corruption?
At the recommendation of a friend, I read Ekhart Tolle’s The Power of Now. After reading this book, I made a conscious effort in my approach to certain aspects in my life. It had to be a conscious efforts because if you didn’t know, it’s difficult teaching an old dog, new tricks. I often return back to the book for helpful reminders. I also own a copy, but have not yet begun reading Tolle’s A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.
To broaden my interests and understanding, I’ve read Buddhism for Beginners by Thubten Chodron and Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. While not a practicing Buddhist, I did particularly enjoy learning about “attachment” and discover the “attachments” in my own life.
I also read, Joel Osteen’s Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Fullest Potential, partly to learn more and the other part because I had attend several of his services at Lakewood Church when I lived in Houston. Like Buddhism for Beginners, it’s always good to be given tools to being a better person and contributor to the community.
Perhaps it was somehow prophetic that I read books that helped me to pave a smoother path in life, however don’t get me wrong I am still and hopefully always will be a work in progress. A smoother path, a better sense of navigating my canoe through the waters of life; I believe prepared me for the random tweet that led to Guy Kawasaki.
An international speaker and author, everyday I am grateful for the opportunities afforded me by and because of Guy. Of course I’ve read, and recommend that everyone wanting to start anything, read The Art of the Start. And, if you’re ambitious follow up by reading his other books or be smart and read his most recent, the superset of all of his books and his blog, Reality Check. Before it was released, I read the draft of Reality Check – in one sitting! It’s a big book, so it was much later than 3 a.m. when I finally finished. As recommended, I have two copies of Reality Check – one that I’ve marked up with notes, and the other (the autographed copy) sits on the reference shelf because that’s exactly what it is – a huge resource.
A few others also on the reference shelf is Strunk’s The Elements of Style, the original edition; A Dictionary of Bullshit by Diane Law; and the Hawaiian Dictionary by Mary Kawena Pukui and Samuel H. Elbert.
Lately my reading choices have been focused around marketing and productivity, including Groundswell and David Allen’s Getting Things Done. I couldn’t finish this post without giving mention to Seth Godin’s The Dip – it gave me confirmation that where I am at right now in my life, is where I belong. It’s a quick read with a powerful message – if you’re prepared.
I recently pre-ordered Pam Slim’s Escape from Cubicle Nation: From Corporate Prisoner to Thriving Entrepreneur scheduled for release at the end of this month and am waiting for a copy of Brian Solis and Deirdre Breakenridge’s Putting the Public Back in Public Relations: How Social Media Is Reinventing the Aging Business of PR to arrive at the Pearlridge Border’s.
There are more books that I’ve read and recommend, but we can discuss that in the comments. Right now, I want to know what you’re reading and what you recommend I add to my collection?
Balance, Family, Featured, Hawai'i, Life•
on December 31st, 2008•
Every year Lilinoe and I promise each other to have a better year than the last and this will not change as we enter 2009. One of our rules is that “we work on our friendship so that our relationship is solid.” And, in order to achieve this we have to continue to grow as individuals. This simple rule creates harmony in our household, but I admit sometimes we’re off tune and majority of the time it’s because I am beating to my own drum.
Ready or not 2009, here we come!
Jayden, although he’s 4 he has some exciting things coming up in the new year. First, he’s turning 5 which is also his favorite number — we’re going out on a limb and predicting that this will change to 6, but it’s just a wild guess! If Lono and all other dieties allow it to be, he is hoping to continue his education at Kamehameha Schools as a Kindergartner at the Kapalama campus. 5 also means he’s eligible for a “pee wee” in anything — soccer, basketball, flag football or even Power Ranger bootcamp; anything for him to expend his never ending energy!
Jayden also made his debut as a hula dancer at the Sheraton Bowl this past Christmas Eve and as long as he’s interested, he will continue as a member of Kuhai Halau O Kahalepuna Pa Olapa Kahiko with Chelsea.
Chelsea has had a remarkable 2008, and if she continues on her path of growth 2009 looks very promising. She’ll continue her duties as the Vice President of Student Council at Kula Kaiapuni O Anuenue and is working hard at finishing the school year making the honor roll again for the second semester. January is the beginning of her first ever season as a canoe paddler for ‘Ilau Hoe, so stay tuned for photos to posterous and videos from Keehi Lagoon of her Saturday morning regattas.
Lilinoe keeps it together for the four of us – she does it all! She continues to be an involved Mommy in Chelsea and Jayden’s lives, the co-founder of Pono Media, a member of the Alltop team, team parent of my youth basketball team, and more. This year she’s set a goal of becoming more involved in photography and I see a Nikon D90 in her near future.
In 2009 I will continue to work relentlessly on Alltop. Currently, there are more than 25,000 feeds in over 400 alltopics from A to Z. There are 486 accounts subscribed to the Alltop Twitterfeed and at last count approximately 800 people receiving the Alltop Newsletter. Page views are in the 200K range and over a million Alltop badges have been served. And, Alltop is not even a year old!
The research that I’ve done for Alltop has unleashed the information fiend within. I am not complaining, more facts, however random are better than an empty mind. I have been able to capitalize on this knowledge in not only the development of the variety of alltopics, but in becoming a richer resource to others. Look for MyAlltop in March 2009!
The official launch of the Pono Media website continued to be pushed back until the 1st quarter of ‘09 because there’s just not enough time in one day! Mark my words, there will be no more delays.
I will be traveling to Texas for SXSW followed by a family trip to the happiest place on earth in the Spring and then our annual visit to Maui in the summer. I have also planned to travel to Chicago for SOBCon09 and Las Vegas for the newly combined Blog World and New Media Expo. And, I would especially like to attend one of Chris Brogan’s New Marketing Labs boot camps. Our travel plans will conclude with an end of the year trip to London.
Personally, I need to once and for all tackle my health. I was very close to being successful, but quickly slipped into my old unhealthy habits. As I near my mid-40’s, my health must be my first priority otherwise nothing else will matter. We’ve recommitted ourselves to the Honolulu Club and to our health. And, I’ll be bringing my Mom along with us too.
There’s so much to be grateful for as 2008 ends, and so much to look forward too in 2009. Everyone is invited to come along our journey as I’ll share all that is good From the Mind of NEENZ.
Balance, Hawai'i, Life•
on July 2nd, 2008•
At the time we decided to quit smoking, expecting a mountainous challenge we sought other methods besides the hugely popular nicotine laced patches and gums. A visit to the local GNC store and about an hour long consultation, we decided on a 7-day complete body cleansing program. Combined with the willingness to eliminate this life-threatening habit from our lives, the cleansing program subsided any cravings making the transition surprisingly seamless. It’s been a grateful four months and we haven’t looked back.
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Balance•
on June 18th, 2008•
A few months ago I was invited by my friend Burt Lum, host of Bytemarks Cafe to participate in The Samurai Game. I admit I was absolutely skeptical, considering that I feel I know myself quite well I wanted to put myself through a personal challenge. Did I really know NEENZ or was all my soul searching crap?
The mediator of The Samurai Game was Lance Giroux, founder of Allied Ronin which focuses on developing leadership, teams and organizations and the author of The Art of Practice. From the start I was comfortable with Lance’s tone and deliverance, which for me is key not only as a successful speaker but in everyday conversations. It is difficult to explain the Samurai Game, you have to participate and gain your own understanding because although you work in teams, the level of understanding is based upon the individual’s investment.
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Balance•
on February 20th, 2008•
We did it! It wasn’t a resolution or a physician’s recommendation that influenced our decision, more like the snug fit of our clothing and the stairs to our home were becoming more challenging as the weeks passed that nudged us towards healthier choices. My optimism is not first day joy, it’s proclaiming a lifetime of euphoria. It was a journey to arrive at this day though, and of course I will share our story.
CHOICES
One of my favorite high school teachers, the late Mr. Barton David taught me a lesson on choices while discussing culture from the anthropology point of view – a way of living that is taught from generation to generation. At the time I was only 14, but for some reason his lecture stuck with me over the years. At all times we have choices, no matter how bleak the situation may appear. We may not like our list of choices and the length of the list may be limited by other factors – finances, proximity, education, etc. Mr. David’s, and now my point is we all have choices, and it’s our choices that determine our paths of life.
GET RID
By nature I have an addictive personality and it works both ways meaning while I am prone to become easily obsessed by anything new and interesting, I’ve had my share of humans being addicted to NEENZ. Over the years I’ve learned to develop my skills in the art of “getting rid.” It sounds simple and practical, but believe it or not at times it’s difficult to implement especially if life leads you to “get rid” of someone you’re emotionally or genetically tied too.
SUPPORT
In order for me to make a change of lifestyle, I needed the support of my best friend and shacking up partner Lilinoe (Did you think I was referring to her in “get rid”? I’d be insane!). As strong minded as I am, I knew that in order to begin this transformation we both needed to have the same level of commitment. And so begins the months of teeter tottering. We had wanted to make this decision months ago, and had even made a failed attempt. But, for many reasons today we have a high level of commitment to make a change for the betterment of our health.
After making the commitment to paddle our canoe onto the waters towards a healthier lifestyle, our first choice is to quit smoking. Today is day one.
Balance•
on January 31st, 2008•
Growing up my older sister had a lot of responsibilities, not only did my parents raise her to take care of herself, but they depended on her to take care of the younger children. For most of our childhood there were a total of six, including her, so we have an abundance of mischievous memories. Don’t get me wrong, we weren’t a rowdy bunch, most of our “mischief missions” were conjured up in my imagination, plotted on paper and then discovered and foiled by the watchful eye of my sister. Our personalities are worlds apart, but many people are mistaken in their judgment, especially when they’d confuse us for twins?
Today, my sister is a proud Mommy of four, and I felt she deserved a day at the spa. Over the years I’ve learned the necessary benefits of a massage, manicure and pedicure; so I was certain she would enjoy the experience. I booked the Mini-Day Package which consisted of a 45-minute facial, 50-minute massage, and 60-minute pedicure at the Soleil Luna a salon, spa and boutique.
The outside of the Soleil Luna reminded me of the homes in Kalaupapa on the island of Moloka’i, reminiscent of old Hawai’i. Once inside, it was quaint with a living room setting, definitely welcoming and comfortable. We were offered drinks, we opted for water which was served with slices of cucumbers and quite refreshing. We were told that I would begin with a massage from Claire and my sister would enjoy a facial from Tara.
I am a veteran recipient of massage therapy so I know the drill and after a very trying day, I was looking forward to the kneading of knots. Usually I prefer deep pressure, but I’ll admit I had to ask Claire to go a little lighter. Claire’s Swedish massage was so perfect, it put me to sleep!
We switched places, and I informed Tara that this would be my first “official” facial. I shared with her that I received a free face scrub on a visit to an acquaintance’s Supercuts franchise so I discounted that experience. Though still a square room, the difference between Claire’s and Tara’s besides the equipment was the music. Tara’s was definitely a bit more of a funky groove, and Claire’s reminded me of the Benedictine Monk’s chants. The facial smelled appetizing as all of the products were organic and natural, including the mixture with paprika. Paprika? It opens the pores.
Finally, we met our pedicurists, who had the whirlpool flowing with bubbles from sea salt to soak our feet. If you’ve never had a pedicure, what are you waiting for? As soon as I began soaking my feet being gently massaged by the jetstreams, I was ready to upgrade my water to wine. April was kind enough to bring me a glass of light Chardonnay whom I complimented on her new look since meeting her briefly when I booked the appointments.
By the time we were done, the kinks in our lower backs were kneaded, the stress burdened on our shoulders relieved, our faces exfoliated, and our toes buffed to a shine with my sisters painted a shade of purple.
Soleil Luna is the escape we needed, and recommended it to everyone if you need to escape as well.
