Why I left the news biz

(Photo: Biancha Yalung)

President Obama eating shave ice in Kailua

As many of you may already know...every seven years the body undergoes a complete metamorphosis, or change. Humans experience an emotional, mental and physical transformation when compared to seven years prior. Cells in the body renew and after seven years you are a new person, a whole new person. Some call it the seven year itch others may not know exactly what is happening in their lives, but a change is a coming or has taken effect already...whether you like it or not. 

My most recent decision to leave the television news industry comes exactly seven years after I started as an intern... and then was eventually hired as a general assignment reporter. My desire to find a new challenge and a new career path was inspired by a need to feel a better sense of positivity, a nurturing environment, support and an overall sense of consistent goodness and happiness in my life. As you may notice while watching the morning and nightly news, a lot of what is reported and investigated has to do with negative events. Many times people would ask me how I dealt with stabbings, rapes, murders, brutal car crashes, children struggling to fight cancer and other tragic events...I would make every effort to separate myself from the human aspect and the emotion of the event. I never brought my stresses and feelings home and I always tried to offer comprehensive, unbiased and thorough reporting.

After seven years on the job, I can honestly say I loved what I did, I felt I was in my element being on the morning news, which was lighter and provided more opportunities for optimism and happiness, at times. But, looking at my career I accomplished everything I set out to do there and was looking for another challenge. I feel that when something becomes monotonous and repetitive you never really have a chance to grow and change. I decided to force a new change and new beginning by changing things up.

I set out to find a new career path, something that I enjoyed and something that made me happy. Ultimately, I had already had this path cutout and needed to just direct my attention away from broadcast and toward working with people, businesses, non-profits and others. Since the age of 6 I have been selected to emcee events, I have always been the planner of the group when it came to my friends and family and for the past ten years I have been immersed in social media, back to the Friendster and Asian Avenue days. 

For the past 15 years I have been preparing for this next step in my life -- and I felt it was only natural to close the door on television broadcast and begin a new chapter as a business woman, entrepreneur and to be my own boss. Nothing feels better than to wake up when you want to and make your own schedule, I have quickly learned. Yes, there are some stresses about making enough money to make ends meets and knowing how to file my taxes properly, but all of this can be taught and I am learning as I go.

When I first set foot into the newsroom, I didn't know what I wanted to be. I was unsure about the path my life would take, but now I know everything happens for a reason and my happiness is the best excuse to make career and life choices that will impact my daily activities and motivations. I don't regret anything...however I do appreciate the viewers and fans for bearing with me over the years as I learned and grew on the air with them. I do hope they can see that I made a decision that was aimed at perpetuating what I have been telling people for years in my motivational speaking and advocacy --- if you believe you can achieve, always set your sights and your goals high, don't ever limit yourself, if you don't try you will never know! 

Goals in my life have led to me to where I am today: starting with graduating high school with honors, moving to Honolulu from Kauai, being one of the few in my family to graduate from a University, winning the title of Miss Hawaii 2004,  writing a 157 page thesis, finishing Grad School and earning a Masters Degree, becoming an award-winning journalist, becoming a news anchor...and now a business owner.  www.olenaheu.com for more info on Olena Heu Communications.

I wanted to end my last day/show on a high note, I wasn't sad and I didn't want anyone else to be sad either. So a bunch of friends, Wake Up 2day contributors and supporters joined me and the crew for a final song. I selected "Sweet Caroline" so we could end together with smiles on our faces and love in our hearts -- plus everyone knows the words to this song, the chorus anyway.

Here is a little clip my friend Jermel-Lynn shot with her phone, only 2 seconds or so aired that day 6/27, so this is what it looked like behind the scenes.

http://youtu.be/6P7jcNEjXv0

Mahalo to Jai and Ron for writing amazing farewell stories for me as I bid aloha and Bruce for editing them together so nicely. Also a big thank you to Chanel for coordinating such an amazing show that really made me feel special. And to everyone else -- Jenn, Emi, Lance, Moose, Carlson, Justin and Adam, it was a blast saying goodbye in style. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOPhMwV_5GM&feature=em-subs_digest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri87ng3nuxI 

Ultimately, this is not me saying goodbye - this is me saying see you later. I will still be around, posting, commenting and sharing. I will still offer news alerts, insight and opinions and of course great pictures of food and sunsets. The only thing that has changed is my life path, but its headed into a direction that is focused on positivity, love and appreciation...and I thank all of you for your support! 

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Reporting at the scene of a recent gas leak in Waipahu

My last news story shoot with The Haumana director/writer Keo Woolford and PR diva Tracy Larrua, and Bruce Barham my trusty cameraman and friend

Aloha oe! (Photo by Nancy Bernal)

Bah bah bah! Good times never felt so good! (Photo: Nancy Bernal)

Best farewell "selfie" ever (Photo by: Nancy Bernal)

1st Place in SPJ Hawaii "feature reporting" awarded the day I left KHON2