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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
[Disclosure: Servco Toyota Hawaii loaned me a 2010 Prius for one-month.]
We’ve had Juicy Toyota for a little over two-weeks, and it will be a sad moment to have to return her to the generous folks at Servco Toyota Hawaii. The other weekend, we took Juicy to the North Shore of Oahu (well, she took us) for a scenic drive and some famous Kahuku shrimp! Enjoy the picture below.
Prius Toyota Tidbit: Driving daily for more than two-weeks covering majority of the towns on Oahu from the North Shore to Waikiki, in traffic, and using the much needed air conditioner; we’ve had to fill up the gas — ONCE!
Traditionally in Hawaii, sports teams and organizations have sold everything from buckets of chili to car washes to raise money for uniforms, equipment, and travel expenses. I remember when my Father first started coaching at McKinley High School, the athletes would work in teams to cover the school grounds, picking up trash at the carnival and fairs. These days, fundraisers have gotten creative, but the basic needs still remain the same.
One of my good friends, Derek Higa has committed much of his free time to coaching the kids in the Makakilo, Ewa, and Kapolei neighborhoods. A father of three, he not only dedicates his time to his son’s team, but to all of the other teams.
I witnessed the admiration his players had for him during his Yakudoshi in 2008 as they greeted him with a paper banner and like a revved up football player, Coach Derek tore through it with gusto! The players then lined up to greet and hug their Coach, one at a time.
On Sunday, September 20, 2009 Coach Derek’s Pee Wee level football team is having a fundraiser at Rumours Nightclub in the Ala Moana Hotel. They’re raising money to travel to Molokai for a football game. The event will feature entertainment, pupus, door prizes, and let’s face it — a night out with friends and family for a good cause!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Rumours Nightclub in the Ala Moana Hotel
5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Pre-event tickets: $10
At the door: $15
If you can’t make it, here’s how you can help:
Share this post and invite your entire network.
Twitter the twtvite to all of your followers and ask them to Re-Tweet.
If you’re on Facebook, send a message to Kristin Benoza Higa to pre-order your tickets and/or make a donation or email me at neenz@faleafine.com. Mahalo to everyone for their support of the team and youth sports in Hawaii.
[Disclosure: Servco Toyota Hawaii loaned me a 2010 Prius for one-month.]
We’re really growing attached to our newest, albeit temporary member of our family — Juicy. Here she is in Salt Lake on Oahu after a victorious day at the soccer field.
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.
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.
[Disclosure: Servco Toyota Hawaii loaned me a 2010 Prius for one-month.]
I shared last month that I was fortunate enough to participate in the Toyota Hawaii’s 2010 Toyota Prius Experience. And, as luck would have it I was chosen to enjoy the luxury of driving the vehicle for a month. There were no expressed obligations directed to me from the company, however it is in my nature and profession to share the experiences and thoughts From the Mind of NEENZ.
I had organized a Twitter meet up or tweet up to allow for potential customers to experience the Prius without any pressure to make an immediate decision. A group of about seven of us gathered with bento lunches at Kaka’ako Park and talked all things Prius, geek, and how lucky we are to live in Hawaii.
The auto-parallel parking feature was a hit, and I truly think there will be some sold vehicles as a result of the tweet up. The svelt silver Prius V that we used in our normal daily commutes gave us 10-days of on-the-go without gassing up and most importantly we averaged 58 miles per gallon without applying any hybrid techniques.
We’re currently using the vehicle delegated to our month long fortune, and we’ve aptly named her, Juicy. I’m not an expert in automobiles, therefore I wouldn’t be able to provide technical information. But, I’ve come up with a concept to share our experience with Juicy through pictures. So, here’s our first:
Juicy with Lilinoe, Chelsea, and Jayden at the soccer park.
A few months ago, Papa and Tutu’s neighbor emailed the registration information for the Aiea AYSO league. Lilinoe knows very little about soccer and I even less, but Jayden and Maiyah seemed to be interested so we completed the necessary paperwork and paid the registration fees.
Although they’re only a year apart, Jayden was drafted in the Under 6 and Maiyah belongs to the Under 8 group– besides, the groups are then further separated by gender since there are a lot of children participating. After a very organized parent orientation meeting; a volunteer process to determine coaches, referees, and team parents; and a mutually agreed upon practice days, times, and field we were on our way!
Four (4) practices prior to the first game, and we were having fun. Jayden had to learn a few soccer rules like no touching the ball with your hands while it’s in play, but also the non-rules like no dancing like Michael Jackson while running drills during practice. And, Maiyah? Well she was so excited for her first practice that she wore her soccer clothes, shin guards, and cleats to bed the night before.
The first game was this past Saturday and I walked away with more than a nice tan, I realized that “two babies” were competitive, aggressive little athletes. The blazing sun was their biggest opponent because their mantra once the game was in play was “attack the ball”!
Every Saturday we’ll be at the park, cheering on the Jedis and the Butterflies — life is good!
For some reason, every time I travel outside of Hawaii (and this year it’s been nearly every other month); I crave Japanese food. Actually, who am I kidding — I crave tempura donburi from Jimbo’s and Hifumi’s butterfish with jumbo shrimp tempura combo on a daily basis! I am fortunate, and grateful that people in the other 49 states also share my (appreciation) indulgence for Japanese delicacies.
At the suggestion of a friend from Hawaii and Santa Clara University Law School alumni, I drove to what is known as Japantown in San Jose, California. I was disappointed to learn that the restaurant she had recommended was closed, however I was in Japantown certainly I could find an establishment that could satisfy my cravings.
I turned the corner to discover that Buddha himself heard the rumblings of my stomach, as I had arrived just in time for the start of the 2009 San Jose Obon Festival. I know that Buddha heard me because I turned the next corner and found free street parking only yards away from the heart of the event.
I turned yet another corner and really the monks must have been praying for me because I found a traditional Chinese masseuse specializing in reflexology for $20! From there I turned yet another corner and found Ukulele Source owned by California natives Smiley and Janet Kai. Their hospitality while a customer in their store led me to have confidence in their recommendation of a restaurant.
With a new restaurant in mind and walking directions I decided to get into the Festival. The first person that greeted me was California Hello Kitty. Take a look at the pictures below, you can tell they’re of the Sanrio species, but California looks a little different from Hawaii Hello Kitty.
There were carnival games, food booths, and Kirin on tap. Hosted by the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, the event had three Taiko drum performances and over a thousand dancers, with a crowd of double the performers.
Smiley and Janet were right, Okayama Japanese Cuisine cooks delicions Japanese food. They opened for dinner thirty minutes earlier than normal, and I was the first in line!
While the festival was a blessing, it was meeting my friend and Hawaii Traditions writer, Jan’s 6th grade Gifted and Talented Creative Writing teacher from Kaahumanu Elementary School that solidified that not only Buddha, but all of the gods had looked down upon me. (She wouldn’t give me her name, joking that she was on ‘Hawaii’s Most Wanted’!)
From now on, every visit to Silicon Valley (and I plan on having more) will also include walking around Japantown for shopping, eating, and talking story.
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.
