As I am out and about more since restrictions and concerns regarding covid have lessened... I am noticing folks asking me the same questions all the time. So, I figured it would be a good idea to write about a Frequently Asked Questions Blog. Hopefully, you find it informative and it keeps us all the same page. Overall, I would say the top 2 questions I receive are about #1 Being on TV and #2 my Mastectomy.

Let's dive into the questions with the one that people seem to get wrong first.

1. How is your cancer and how are you recovering from breast cancer? This is a bit jarring and uncomfortable, because I never had cancer. I did not have cancer but I did have a preventative surgery aimed at preventing cancer... so with that a lot of people can't seem to wrap their heads around it or can't comprehend how they got that wrong. 
In 2018 I had a prophylactic surgery and had both of my natural breasts removed with the hopes of preventing breast cancer in my lifetime. No matter how many times I say it was a preventative surgery, I would say about 50% of the people don't really understand what that means and they just associate me with having had cancer. Plus people don't read so no matter how many times I post about how I did not have cancer I still get the questions about it. 
2. Do you miss being on the news?
No, I honestly am so happy doing my own thing and not working 5-6 days a week and waking up at 3am. I left back in 2014 and I am so happy I did. I was a great opportunity and involved a ton of work, long days and thankless hours... but I am stronger and more experienced because of it. You may not realize it it, but back then it was more than just being on tv, you were writing, researching, going out interviewing people, posting for the website and social media and so much more. You didn't just show up and look pretty on tv and then leave. 
3. Are you still on TV?
Yes, I moonlight here and there for special projects and I am currently in a rotation of hosts for PBS Hawaii's live Insights show held Thursday nights. This is perfect for me because the live tv show averages about one a month and I think that is absolutely the right amount for me. I also don't really care about putting on makeup, being on television and as I get older I am more comfortable just staying home and not really doing anything. 
4. What are you doing now?
I started my own marketing and communications firm. This is my real job and keeps me busy 365 days out of the year. I freelance as a writer, tv host, voice-over actor, producer and podcast host as well. But my business is actually digital marketing, PR and content creation. 
5. How are your kids?
This has potential to be very awkward as the only kids I have are a dog and a cat. As you know Rico is 14 years-old and a cat and Roxy is about to turn 2 and is a dog, so we just have furry kids. 

Hi friends and family. As you may recall last summer we got ourselves a pandemic puppy. Roxy was found roaming Palolo and rescued by the Hawaiian Humane Society. We adopted her at the age of 3 months-old and she will turn 2 in May. Roxy is our dog and Rico is our 14 year-old cat BTW. Roxy was born with nystagmus but the eye condition went away, however she turned out to be blind, which doesn't seem to affect her at all. If you know us, Roxy has truly been a shining ray of light and sparkling rainbow in every day since we got her. I do have a health update that is a bit of a bummer but not life threatening, we hope. 

In January we noticed Roxy (the dog) was holding her right rear leg and paw up. She was kind of tripoding around and wouldn't put weight on her leg. We took her to the doctor and x-rays showed things to be normal, but that she had a thickening of the joints and knee and it appeared that she may have ruptured a ligament. The doctor gave us an anti-inflammatory and pain medication and told us to crate her. They recommend she have a surgery to fix the ligament. I wanted the best doctor for her and reached out the board certified number one surgeon on the island who didn't have any openings for just a consult until May. Remember this is January. I made the appointment and then opted to reach out to her local vet where they had another surgeon who specializes in this kind of thing as well. 

At her consult with the second surgeon he heard a light heart murmur. Then they triple confirmed that she did have a heart murmur and before moving forward would need to have a echocardiogram done to determine what was going on with her heart. Today, the echocardiogram was conducted 3 weeks ago and we have not yet gotten the results. Mind you this doctor is the only cardiologist for animals on the island. 

So we are still waiting to hear back about her heart. At this rate we may opt for the all-star board certified surgeon to give us his two cents when she has her original consult in May. Anyway, she is doing well and we limit her activity. She can walk, use the restroom and hang out like she usually does.. just no running and mainly a lot of sleeping. 

My heart is so full from all the love we have for her. She is so sweet, loving and tender with everyone she meets. She is a brilliant shining star that illuminates our world. We love her so much! 

Oh and Rico is doing well. Last year he was diagnosed with kidney disease, but after giving him a special prescription wet food kidney diet he is really thriving and doing great. His energy, spirit and fur coat are the best they've ever been. =) 

As if we needed more of a reason to eat out... say hello to Food-A-Go-Go Restaurant Week (which actually 2 weeks). 

​FOOD-A-GO-GO WEEK LAUNCHES ON MARCH 23
The event will support Hawai‘i’s businesses and K-12 agricultural education programs
HONOLULU, HI – Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation (HAF) will host the second Food-AGo-Go Week presented by Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard® from March 23 – April 6.
​Food-A-Go-Go Week will join a year-long public awareness campaign called Localicious® Hawai‘i that highlights restaurants and businesses that use locally sourced ingredients or products in their offerings. Local businesses and restaurants participating in Food-A-Go-Go Week will have a special menu or local products available for customers to purchase/order for dine-in or takeout. Proceeds of this campaign will benefit HAF’s K-12 ag education programs, which have served over 18,000 students since 2014.

Through these programs, HAF addresses agricultural workforce development as the average age of a farmer in Hawaiʻi is 60 years old. All HAF’s educational programs spark an interest in agriculture among the children at an early age and encourages careers in the field. “As the hometown airline, we are always delighted to join causes that promote local food sourcing and sustainability in our community,” says Bryan Kapeckas, Managing Director of Loyalty and Travel Products. “Food-A-Go-Go Week is a great way for our visitors and kama‘āina to enjoy Hawaii’s restaurants while supporting businesses and the next generation of farmers.” “We’re excited to bring back Food-A-Go-Go Week to promote our businesses and restaurants that support our local agriculture and fishing industries,” says Toby Tamaye, President of AT Marketing and Co-Chair of Food-A-Go-Go Week. “We’ve seen the hardships that our farmers, ranchers, and fishermen have faced, and we’re ready to support our local business community as we move toward economic resilience and recovery together.”

To promote the campaign, Food-A-Go-Go Week participants are encouraged to enter in the #FoodAGoGo Week Sweepstakes. The Sweepstakes will begin on March 23 and run through April 6. Two winners will be selected daily to win a $100 gift card from participating FoodA-Go-Go Week businesses. There are two ways to win: Enter the Instagram Sweepstakes: 1. Post a photo of a dish from Food-A-Go-Go Week (March 23 - April 6, 2022) 2. Follow @Foodagogo_HI and @HawaiianAirlines 3. Tag @Foodagogo_HI and participating restaurant/business 4. Mention #FoodAGoGo in your post Visit Foodagogo.org: 1. Go to Foodagogo.org and click on the Sweepstakes tab on the top right corner 2. Fill out the form with your name, email, and phone number for your chance to win View Terms & Conditions for the #FoodAGoGoWeek Instagram Sweepstakes at https://foodagogo.org/2022-food-a-go-go-restaurant-week-sweepstakes/

I always try to be upbeat and positive... but I feel like it is time to get real.

I've been feeling down lately. My angst is coming from this new society we live in today that is divided more than ever and i also feel like people in general have become so selfish and flakier than ever. Covid gave everyone an excuse to cancel, opt to stay home and become way more awkward than they've ever been. It also brought people together, folks having their little gatherings and small groups. But unfortunately for me right at the start of covid we moved out of town and 20 minutes away -- which for most people is "so far." Too far to be invited I suppose.

I know others have felt it too, not being included and not a part -- I noticed for several years now that if I am not the friend reaching out and trying to make plans then I would never see anyone, cause no one really makes plans with me. Maybe it is just a result of my own doing, because folks assume that I am "so busy," that they don't even bother. But lately it has been wearing on me and I felt like being real for once. 

I guess I will just continue to ask and ask and seek the friends who are mutual and also take the time to reach out and invite me to things -- as I do them. 

Another thing that isn't sitting well with me is business owners who contact me, take my time, ask me for a proposal and then nothing. Not even a reply or they leave me hanging. I don't know if my prices are too high or if I am not the right fit, but time and time again I feel like they are desperate for me to help them and "need" to hire me then they fall off the planet never to be heard from again. 

The good aspect of this is it has inspired me to raise my prices even more and work on the format of my proposal to be more clear and perhaps a tad more refined in appearance. Why charge more? I realize my time is valuable and if they aren't able to acknowledge my worth then they are not worth my time. I am just being real. 

Wow, what a whirlwind of a year that was. 2021 started with a bang and brought promise, change and hope. It came and went so quickly, that when I look back at my camera roll I am in awe of how amazing, memorable and epic it really was. I guess anything compared to 2020 would be great but I feel like there were so many milestones and great accomplishments achieved I am truly grateful.
Here's a look at the noteworthy items from last year that I am forever thankful for:

1. Social media collaborations... I know I've said I am not and "influencer" in the past, but last year was a really benchmark year for collaborating with businesses. I think what changed was my mindset and standing firm on not compromising my integrity and my values. I created a rate, media kit and folks who wanted to hire me to post paid me, but I also did it only when I was 100% invested and believed in what I was posting. So it ended up being a win win for all. Surprisingly the end of the year was mainly all sponsored content. I am happy to report that I have even monetized my IG that Instagram is paying me to post too. 
2. Miss Hawaii and Miss Hawaii's Outstanding Teen Organizations - it's been 17 years since I held the title of Miss Hawaii and it was heartwarming to have my Miss Hawaii family reach out and ask for assistance that turned into volunteering that evolved into serving as color commentator backstage during the pageant and assisting with other elements even after the pageant and now. I am happy to be on both executive committees offering help  to these non-profits where I can.
3. insights moderator on PBS. I am back on live television and get this, there are no commercials. Yes, I am hosting a show on PBS about once a month from 7pm-8pm (Thursdays) and it is live and on tv. This is one of the most challenging live shows I've done because you are juggling public affairs topics, with real time conversations, viewer questions and everything that comes with live broadcast. It is invigorating and exciting to be a part of this project that has been on the air for close to as long as I have been alive.
4. Doko Ga Tv is back and traveling again. I ventured to LA and the Mexican Riviera for filming of episodes for Doko Ga Tv on Hawaii News Now. What an amazing experience to be back at it again and it was a beautiful way to get away finally. You should be able to watch our adventures in February 2022. 
5. Voice work was crazy busy in 2020 and not as busy last year. But I was able to land a steady gig as the commercial voice at KITV. That was super cool and involved me voicing commercial spots that air on television for other businesses. 
6. I started a new food blog - You Hungry Hawaii - this is where I have been sending my love of food videos and photos. My goal to write weekly food reviews and blogs didn't happen but the IG is active and growing nicely. 
7. We got a kayak - only used it a few times but it is a great option to get our fitness on and explore the ocean.
8. Scored a few new clients and also signed a nice contract. Digital marketing and social media has grown immensely since I started doing it for work. Everyone acknowledges the power and reach of social media now and no one seems to need convincing anymore. This is the way we communicate now and this is how we share content. 
9. Mentoring. I mentored a young lady who is on her way to becoming successful at anything and everything she does. With that she competed in a pageant and won. I knew she would. This is the first time I mentored someone and it was very rewarding. I think she may have written me the best most thoughtful thank you card I have ever seen. 
10. I got to see my friends in person for my birthday! With the ebb and flow of covid and restrictions... it was wonderful to have a small gathering and celebrate friendships and life. 

​Thank you 2021 you we wonderful! 

Ah the world of social media... I've been active on social since it began with platforms like Asian Avenue, Friendster and Myspace. The evolution of using an online platform to keep in touch, market your business and self has grown exponentially. What free advice I tend to give out and offer to friends and close acquaintances would seem like common knowledge, but often times folks are counter-intuitive when it comes to utilizing social media the right way. 
Here are some simple tips for those who think they really already know social media and have a good grasp but un-admittedly may need some guidance.

1. Less is more. If you already have an established page, posting less will actually help you reach more people. Some think that posting more will prove to be better and gain more likes and traction, but actually it is essential to think quality over quantity in the long run. The algorithm is trying to identify authentic content and anything that looks too spammy will have less reach. 

2. You don't have to make multiple pages for the same brand. A lot of people think new location = new page, but it is best to have one main page be the umbrella of your brand. Starting new pages is more work and means more content and more to juggle. I would recommend having one page that covers multiple locations as the hub of communication.

3. Same business, same location but your name changed - you don't have to create all new pages and start from zero... here's the easiest and best way to make the conversion -- simply, drum roll, change the name of the page. That way you keep all your followers and all the content from before to help explain that your name changed and perhaps your focus did too, but you don't have to start from scratch. The people following you there will likely support you on this new path, if they don't they can unfollow, but it is way better to lose a few followers than to start from absolutely nothing again. 

4. It's all about videos! Create content for posting that is in video format for highest reach. Pictures are good, carousels are great but videos are king. 

5. Good quality imagery is extremely important. Make sure to have clear, focused, on-brand images. Posting a shot of Diamond Head for a Maui restaurant won't make sense and although a nice photo, doesn't translate well. I often see images that don't give a sense of place and have no real meaning when it comes to promoting what it is you are promoting. Make sure what you are posting makes sense to others and not just that it makes sense to you. 

6. It takes someone 7 times to see something before they actually understand or commit it to memory. If you post that you have happy hour once or twice a month... most likely folks aren't going to remember when you have happy hour if at all. You might feel like its repetitive but people are not going to do research, they are simply scrolling. 

7. Always like, share and comment. If you also want to repost user generated content it is part of essential best practices to get consent or at the very least offer photo credit to the source and tag the source - always!

So I met a man who is currently taking care of his wife whom underwent a mastectomy recently... The exchange has upset me and I will tell you why. She opted to get reconstruction, which is your choice and is perfectly fine. For those who know me I had a preventative mastectomy without reconstruction... I just opted to go flat and not get implants or any other modifications. These are the choices that we make and ultimately you hope it is the best decision for you. Now what upset me was he started quoting to me the same things the doctors told me about getting reconstruction and encouraging implants. Words like: they were unhappy after going flat, they didn't like it, stats show most women won't like how they look and etc. I knew in my heart that I was going to be ok with not having any breasts and I didn't need anyone to convince me otherwise. What upsets me about this entire thing is people are perpetuating the concept that you need to be status quo or have breasts to feel normal. 

Here was a guy who was looking at me 2 year post-op (by the way I don't have any breasts or nipples) telling me that having a mastectomy without getting breast reconstruction was going to make me not like it, regret it and so on. No one seems to advocate for this option. I had to fight for it and was referred to several plastic surgeons to try and convince me otherwise. I did not want to spend many months having parts of my body inflated and have another surgery so I could have implants put in or spend 15 hours in surgery having parts of my body taken from one place and put in another. He even said that his wife spoke to other women about their experience and what it was like having the surgery and then having implants, which I did too. It seemed so problematic and no one was really happy with their results after the first try. But I haven't been put on a list for people to talk to when considering going flat... why don't they advocate for those who want to just be free and not have any more surgeries or problems. Why the need to try and convince me of what other people think is right?

I feel offended most of the time because people think I had cancer, when my surgery was aimed to prevent the disease... now I am made to feel as if what I did was not right, not the best choice and not normal? 

I am free, flat and fabulous and no one ever notices I don't have boobs!!! 

Avocado is a delicious buttery fruit that is quite versatile and contains many health benefits. Creamy in texture the fruit with the large seed in the middle is full of nutrients. Avocados are also a great source of vitamins like C, E, K and B. They include fatty acids as you know that are also great for sugar levels and blood stability. Overall avocados support the immune system, skin, heart health and aid with digestion. 

With that here are some out of the box recipe ideas when you have the yummy avocado ready to eat.

If you are new to entrepreneurship, agency work or been around for a while...chances are you will sign a contract with someone who will eventually become the dreaded "worst client ever." You might feel trapped, hopeless and frustrated, but there is a way to maintain your sanity while balancing what could very well be the hardest relationship of your career. Here are some tips to manage the cumbersome experience of dealing with someone who is difficult and challenging to work for. 

1. Rude clients - from time to time you'll encounter the client who doesn't have a filter and may come across as rude. If you internalize this you will have a harder time dealing with them. Simply acknowledge that this is how they communicate and understand that it isn't personal.
2. The client who doesn't respond - in this day and age with so many methods of communicating you will find clients who will drop off the planet for days or weeks and not respond to anything. Try to find the top 2 methods of communicating with that client that they tend to favor. If they prefer email and phone call then use those approaches. If they like text and online chat then use that. But know in your mind that you may not hear back and you may have to continually address them and ask them repeatedly if you don't hear back. 
3. The demanding client - If your client seems to take up all your time and demands so much of you, make sure the contract is clear and your terms are defined. If you prefer to only work Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, let your client know that you are not available during those times and that you will only be available during work hours. Try to make it crystal clear what you are willing to offer and don't allow them to push you beyond your scope. 
4. The client that expects the world but doesn't offer any guidance, support, content or information -  Instead of focusing on what you don't have and what they are not providing... be sure to tell them the solutions to what you need and have them select which option they think will work best. Also let them know what the negative impacts are if you continue the way you are without any help. Make them aware of the risks and what you need.
5. The client that changes their mind - Again make it clear what they are seeking, do follow up emails and lay out what it is they wanted. Be sure to address what it is that they are expecting and tell them what you are going to do exactly. If once they see it and they change their mind it should be clear what the additional charges are, change fees are and what other fees are appropriate. A good way to get around the trouble is to consider charging for your time instead of by project. That way you get paid no matter what. 
6. The client isn't happy with your work - For whatever reason the client may say they are unhappy with your work and it isn't what they expected or what they wanted. Hopefully you can negotiate for partial payment, payment ahead of time or even a trial period.
7. The client doesn't pay or doesn't pay on time - this can be a touchy subject but make your billing information accessible and understood prior to invoicing. If you don't receive payment in a timely manner try emailing or contacting the client to say it appears you haven't received payment and ask them to check. If payment does not come even after several reminders you can suspend service and/or start charging late fees. Of course you want to this to be a pleasant and un-insulting experience so be sure to see if your client is having difficulty and perhaps you can come up with a payment plan. (You won't believe this, but I actually received a check from a client over a year later after they ghosted me. Checks have expiration dates and if it takes that long to send the money... to me they can keep it - it was a small amount anyway.) If it is a large sum you may want to consider small claims court to get your money. If they do pay but are late...try to ask them what is best as far as billing. Perhaps there is a better time of the month or you can stop by in person to grab that check or do direct deposit. 
8. There are too many cooks in the kitchen - this can be extremely frustrating and having to answer and adapt to multiple people is very challenging. Try to only have one person as your primary contact and allow for just that one person to be the one to communicate with you.
9. The client that always wants to meet, chat, talk and etc - know your boundaries. I have had a client put my services on hold yet schedule calls, meetings and conferences for months. While you are not on retainer and not getting paid you don't have any obligation to this client. Looking back you may say this is a big waste of time... so be sure to assess what is an important call or meeting that is necessary of your time. Better yet discuss your contract prior to committing to this client. 
10. The client who swears at you or uses profanities to communicate or demean you - this is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE. Always hold yourself in high regard and treat yourself and others with respect. If your client is swearing at you this is completely uncalled for and immensely disrespectful. You don't have to sit there and take it, be professional and be sure to address the situation with class. If you are still under contract see if you can get out of it, communicate that you will not stand to be treated that way or seek to terminate the agreement. 

Ah things are pretty much back to normal, people are gathering, having parties and potlucks are prevalent again.
​Here's a list of don'ts when it comes to putting together, participating in and arriving at your summer potluck occasion... crafted by yours truly. HA!