Business

Growing a Self-Sustaining Ministry: Surfing the Nations

Entrepreneurship, Spirit

This morning, I got the chance to chat with Tom Bauer, who founded Surfing The Nations with his wife Cindy

Surfing The Nations

The Thruster Model

The first time I visited Surfers Coffee, the cashier shared a little with me about the three-pronged approach that this coffee shoppe in Wahiawa had. I got to chat more with Tom Bauer, the Founder of Surfing The Nations, about The Thruster Model. The model of work is based on the revolutionary design of the “Thruster” surfboard. This surfboard was created in the 1980’s and changed surf history forever with its three fins, perfectly representing the threefold DNA of Surf The Nations (STN). The Thruster Model is comprised of:

  1. A BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP,
  2. A NON-PROFIT, and
  3. A COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP.

I love the idea of growing the influence of Jesus through business and community. With a focus on humanitarian efforts and serving individuals, The Bauers continue to equip the next generation to pursue a radical lifestyle of selfless service and meeting needs in communities globally.

I didn’t get a photo of my aesthetic dirty chai this morning, but here’s an old photo of a faithful Waialua pourover ❤

Self-Sustaining Ministry

Tom hopes to inspire other Christians to create businesses that ultimately develop the character of the lives they touch. What started as something small, has grown into an organization that employs over 60 people and operates a coffee shop, antique store, and residential housing.

God is continuing to grow The Bauers’ stewardship in Wahiawa, as they recently acquired a century-old hotel that will be restored. Tom is an avid collector and attributes his business’ success and growth to the generosity of the community and people around him. I love supporting this faith-based business, which is the perfect stop on the way to the North Shore!

Redemptive Growth

Probably the most inspirational part about the story is the redemption that this development provides the surrounding community. The location of Surfers Coffee actually used to be a strip club. Additionally, the residential housing, that now houses students, was once a brothel. When STN first opened up in Wahiawa, they operated alongside a porn store and a liquor store. Eventually, those businesses offered to sell their spaces and they were subsequently converted. I love the way that they have spruced up the place & it’s amazing to see how God turns graves into gardens!

STN is definitely an inspiration to EHK and we look forward to seeing what’s next for them! Thanks for the amazing coffee talk and inspiration, Tom!

Do You, Boo: Takeover with Raquelle Pendleton, Esquire

Career

Because who says you can’t be a lawyer & a model?

I wanted to feature someone who has helped me a lot behind the scenes with Miya! From helping me shoot a lookbook, to strategizing, Raquelle has been a huge support from the beginning. 

Raquelle is going to be sharing a day in her life with all of you. I’m so proud of her as she recently started her job as a Legislative Research Attorney working at the Hawaii State Legislature. She loves empowering others to pursue all their passions with zest! Take it away, Raq…

Life as a Young Professional in Honolulu

In the famous words of Elle Woods, “What, like it’s hard?” Throughout law school, Elle Woods was my alter ego and inspiration. She broke down barriers and challenged stereotypes about what it meant to be a female lawyer. Hence, following Elle Woods’ lead, my mantra is: Who says you can’t be both a lawyer and a model? Do you boo. 

While my profession is lawyer, I believe we are more than just our job title. We are multi-faceted human beings that cannot and should not be defined by the boxes other people try to fit us in. We need to do what we love and a lot of it: whether that’s killing it in our professional career, making time for relationships, pouring our heart into passion projects, taking up new hobbies, etc.  

Note to self: Just live your life and do you boo always. XOXO

Here’s a sneak peek of what a day in the life of a lawyer-“influencer” 😉 looks like: 

6:45 am

Wake up! I naturally wake up before my alarm and lay in bed looking at inspirational quotes, maybe post something on instagram or send a meme or two to some of my closest friends, and respond to texts

7 am

Listen to music as I get ready for the day and pick out my professional work attire

7:30 am

Eat breakfast and drink coffee and relax

8 am

Drive to work. The commute on the Pali Highway is honestly beautiful!

8:30 am

Get to the office and the grind starts. 

First thing I do when I get to my desk is check my email and calendar so I’m prepared for the day ahead.

As a legislative research attorney, I work with other lawyers, organizations, and political leaders to draft bills. Once bills are introduced, I work with my senator to see what bills he would like to hear and read testimony and committee reports for those bills. I also sit in on meetings with the Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources, other organizations, and political leaders. In addition, I help constituents with issues and attend townhalls and neighborhood board meetings. 

12 pm

Lunch break! Sometimes I walk around downtown with my coworkers to try out various eateries and then we eat lunch together back at the office.

In the afternoon, I finish up whatever tasks need to be done so I’m prepared and ready for the next work day. 

5pm

Yay! Done with work and time to go home.

5:30 pm

Gym time. Usually I work out for 30 to 60 minutes. Getting active helps me destress and relax.

7 pm

Eat dinner. I’ll put on a Netflix show and unwind and eat my dinner while sitting on the couch.

9pm

Study.  I’m studying for the California bar so gotta grind and put in some work 😉

10pm

Go to bed. Night all ❤

Thank you so much, Raquelle, for being such an amazing friend, supporter, and collaborator! I’m so proud of the work that you’re doing for our local community and can’t wait to see what God has planned for your life…

To learn more about her, follow Raquelle on Instagram!

Hale Pua Hats & Goods

Entrepreneurship, Fashion

Congratulations to my beautiful hoaloha, Shauna, who just opened her Kailua Town location!

I’m sure that you’ve heard stories about COVID-made entrepreneurs. Fellow Richardson grad, Shauna Kahiapo, has an inspirational story for aspiring local, Native Hawaiian, and women business owners! An attorney who moved from private to solo practice, Shauna had been focusing on foreclosure law for the last five years. However, with the pandemic came moratoriums on foreclosures in Hawaii – which will likely continue for some time into the future. Having a family to support and bills to pay, Shauna knew that she needed to pivot her career during such unprecedented times.

Thus, from her family home in Waimānalo, Hale Pua Hawaii was born. After gauging interest for her hats on Instagram, and receiving an influx of sales, Shauna felt blessed with the opportunity to move into this new territory. She has since been shipping orders worldwide, opened her first storefront location for local pickups in Kailua, and extended her product offerings.

Hale Pua

Feel-good vibes, supplies & gifts crafted with aloha and sustʻāinably sourced

This morning, Shauna was feeding her horses before coming in to work with her daughter – and her brand elicits memories of Old Hawaii enmeshed with her unique island, equestrian, and chic style.

As a mother, she is a big believer in encouraging the next generation of female leadership to fashion their own lifestyles and to find the balance necessary for true success.

We are so happy to see Shauna living her dream, pursuing her passion, and expressing her creativity! When asked about her transition into being a small business owner, Shauna mentioned her legal background ultimately proved helpful as it had developed her problem solving skills. Dealing with various aspects of a family-run business, this has been crucial to her success as of late.

Stay tuned for more products from Hale Pua! Mahalo, Shauna, for our hats & for hosting us at your beautiful shoppe this morning! Can’t wait to see how Hale Pua Hawaii continues to grow.

Pikoʻole Pāpale Hawaiian Crownless Hat (Full Brim)

Coworking in Downtown Honolulu

Entrepreneurship

Central Pacific Bank opens up meeting rooms & a cafe space to the community

Nearing completion, the new Central Pacific Bank building is gorgeous! It features Hawaii-inspired multimedia art installations and a bleached aesthetic.

Tidepools

A meeting place for small businesses, non-profits & entrepreneurs in Honolulu!

Kai nuu o Kanaloa

Kai nuu o Kanaloa – or “The Rising Tide of Kanaloa” – welcomes guests into the lobby of the building. This kinetic sculpture synchronizes with data wirelessly transmitted from ocean buoys around the islands. The installation’s instruments move precisely according to each wave’s height, period, and direction to generate a soundscape much like the ocean.

Representing the deep connection between Hawaii’s natural history and our digital future, this is symbolic of the blend of old and new.

Reserve a Workspace

Conference rooms equipped with teleconferencing capabilities.

Learn more

Meant to serve as a meeting place for forward-thinking people, Tidepools is a space for collaboration and inspiration. Perfect for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and advocates, this coworking space is completely free as a resource to the community!

There are two available conference rooms currently, with a third to be built, and two phone booths.

The cafe space features a new Starbucks concept & Aloha Beer concept. This is the perfect place to meet over coffee or wind down at the end of the day.

There is also a rotating art gallery featuring a variety of different styles of production. The pieces are for sale and benefit the arts at the local level.

Thank you so much for the tour!

I look forward to working here during the week from time to time. Thank you to CPB for this amazing community resource! It gets me super excited about the future of our Kingdom.

Aside from doing computer work & meeting with people at Tidepools, I’m also thinking about filming a podcast! What should I plan for my first season?

Interview with Jewelry Social Entrepreneur, Lisa Nakayama

Entrepreneurship, Fashion

Clay to Hope is currently donating 40% of all proceeds to the Hawaii Foodbank

Sakura Collection

I love supporting other women who are working hard for their communities. Lisa Nakayama is a classmate of mine from middle school who recently launched her own jewelry line, Clay to Hope. What I love so much about Lisa’s brand is that she is donating a huge portion of profits to important causes! I am pleased to be interviewing Lisa about her experiences as a social entrepreneur.

What got you to start Clay to Hope? 

Last year in 2020, I spent a lot of time stuck at home feeling helpless. I could not go outside due to the pandemic. Media was inundated with devastating, inconceivable news. Innocent Black people were being murdered by the Police. San Francisco was cloaked in eerie sepia sky due to the wildfires. I am sure many of you can relate when I say it was beyond difficult to stay optimistic throughout the whole year of 2020. I was frustrated at myself because I felt like there was nothing I could do to help the situation.

As I was scrambling to find things to keep me sane, I came across some artists who make polymer clay earrings on Instagram. I have always loved fashion and crafting so I decided to give it a try. While I was doing research on how to make them, I was already having so much fun brainstorming ideas, and that’s when I asked myself, “can I turn this into something more than just a hobby? Can I share this joy with the world?” The more I pondered over the idea, the more ambitious I became. I didn’t want to stop at just selling earrings. I wanted to do more. As cliché as it sounds, I wanted to contribute something to change the world for the better, even for a tiny bit. Therefrom I decided to make my jewelry-making hobby into a donation-based small business to donate a portion of proceeds to a good cause. Clay to Hope was born from my belief that this business could potentially help putting a smile on some faces during this difficult time. So here I am today, creating hope one earring at a time (hence the name Clay to Hope).

White and Gold Collection

Were you struck by anything in the process of building your business? 

When I had the epiphany of turning my hobby into a small business, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was extremely excited to embark on this new journey, but I underestimated how much preparation it takes to build a business. As I graduated college with a Biology degree, I had zero knowledge on business/marketing strategies. There were a lot of YouTube-ing and self-educating that got me here. As a small business owner, you are in charge of everything: designing your product, making the product, managing social media, creating your website, photographing your product, packing and shipping orders, and the list goes on. Don’t get me wrong, I wholeheartedly love every part of it but boy was I naïve thinking it was going to be like a middle school me trying to sell clothes on Instagram. There were so. much. more.

Are you working on a new collection? 

Yes, I am! I am currently working on the Rose Quartz Collection which is going to be available in mid/late-February. I also have many ideas for my future collections: kurogoma matcha (yum), plants, pastel colors, Hawaii, and faux turquoise to name a few. I cannot wait to share them with you! Lastly but not least, thank you, Elise, for giving me the opportunity to talk about my experience here and thank you everyone for your support. We live in a world full of uncertainties nowadays but one thing that I am absolutely certain is that I cannot do this without you. So thank you. I have been overwhelmed with your kind words/support and incredibly grateful for you all. Keep in touch on Instagram @claytohope or my website www.claytohope.com. Shoot me an email if you have any questions/comments/simply want to chat: claytohope@gmail.com

🙂 

Stay safe and stylish!

Thank you so much, Lisa, for sharing with our community at Miya! I’m so proud of you for the amazing work that you’re doing to benefit others and can’t wait to see your future collections!

As cliché as it sounds, I wanted to contribute something to change the world for the better, even for a tiny bit.

Lisa Nakayama

Quality Healthcare is a Right

Personal Finance, Reform

Elise’s thoughts on healthcare as she ages out…

As most may know, under Obamacare, I was able to receive health insurance through a parent’s employer. Unfortunately, this benefit ends when I turn 26 this month.

To be honest, the idea of losing my healthcare has been a huge source of anxiety for me over the last year. Especially with the onset of COVID, hiring freezes, and a poor economy, I worried that February would roll around too quickly.

And it is crazy how soon it did! Luckily, I had the time to chat with a few friends who have already been self insured.

For those who don’t use health services often (think: healthy young male), a government-sponsored plan really is the most sensible. However, I’m someone who regularly visits therapists, dermatologists, and dentists.

Just as I’m weighing the risks, I go in for an appointment with my dermatologist. I called Blue Cross Blue Shield a few months back and was informed that I’d be covered until the end of my birth month. As I’m getting checked in, the nurse asks whether I have Quest or PPO. It seemed like the answer to this question would affect my ability to receive treatment. I really got the answer I needed right then and there.

It’s sad that the actual care our bodies, minds, and spirits receive may ultimately boil down to money. Insuring myself will cost about $500/month, which doesn’t include copays for doctor visits and medications.

UPDATE: I qualified for QUEST & all of my doctors accept it.

There definitely lies a large incentive to seek employment. However, I’ve never been happier and feel that I am living my most authentic life right now. I will definitely keep y’all updated about the career decisions I make this month. This entrepreneurship journey hasn’t been easy, but I want to keep pushing!

What is quality healthcare?

Quality healthcare is care for the body, mind, or spirit that is safe, effective, patient-centered, timely, and efficient.

Our current health system in America is primarily focused on the treatment of symptoms of disease. In Food Fix, Dr. Mark Hyman suggests that health insurers save on costs by providing nutritious food. This would ultimately reduce the amount of responsive health services needed for our populace.

Yet, we haven’t fully recognized the detrimental effects of turning a care-based profession into one that is so ravenously monetized. I begin to wonder – is monetized healthcare even healthcare?

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:6-10

Access Considerations for 2021 Homebuyers

Real Estate

Be sure not to overlook these…

Access to clean water.

Increasingly, we will begin to see that a home’s access to clean water will become very valuable. Recently, water became a traded commodity, like precious metals. A clean water crisis may overtake our country. There are regions where clean water is the norm, but increased pollution has caused many water sources to be poisoned. It’s easy to feel the water quality in a place by taking a shower there. When I lived in Arizona, the water quality was poor and there was “hard” water. This had a noticeable negative affect on my hair and skin. Additionally, for those purchasing land, the location of a well usually makes a plot much more valuable.

Access to cellular service.

There are still pockets, usually near nature preserves, where cellular service is spotty or doesn’t exist. Whether you want to stay in an area that has service everywhere (which is understandable) or you want to go off-grid, you should test your phone out when visiting a property. Off-grid living is becoming increasingly popular, particularly for those who want to unplug and enjoy their privacy. There are definitely levels of going “off-grid” but that’s mine lol. I love the YouTube channel Off Grid Hawaii.

Access to health care.

Depending on how reliant you are on health and wellness services, this may vary in importance. However, if you’re looking to retire in a new state, be sure that you speak to people about this before you arrive as it is likely you will age into this system. It would also be great for you to have a plan in place to respond to any future need for assisted living.

A Modern Desert Abode in Summerlin

Real Estate

Riley Keohen just bought his first home in Nevada for $3.3 million

New homeowner Riley Keohen at his Summerlin home, January 2021.

Riley Keohen enjoys one of the outdoor living spaces at his recently acquired home in the Las Vegas area. One of his favorite features of the property is its wraparound infinity pool.

Keohen moved to Las Vegas for college from Huntington Beach, California and has stayed ever since. With a degree in Hospitality Management from UNLV, he is currently an investor and poker player.

Making his first real estate purchase during the COVID-19 era, Keohen bought this house for far under market value at a sale price of $3,300,000.

The home came furnished, and features a large art collection that continues to bring beauty to the space.

Located in Falcon Hills, the house has a wonderful entertainment space fitted with state-of-the-art audio & visual equipment, as well as a projector screen, Stella Artois keg, and professional sports memorabilia.

Keohen entertains guest, Clay Lamberton. Mr. Lamberton works for MGM in conference sales.

The upstairs living area includes bedrooms, a living space, a wet bar, and a home gym. In addition to a shuffleboard table, the new owner plans to install a poker table for home games.

The house was sold by a French musician with its fabulous wine collection. The wine cellar serves as the backdrop for a dining space.

This modern residence is located in a gated golf course community. Summerlin is in the Las Vegas Valley of Southern Nevada. It lies at the edge of the Spring Mountains with Red Rock Canyon to the west.

Riley currently shares the space with his English Bulldog, Fendi. “It’s hard not to love it.” I agree! Thank you, Riley & Fendi! Enjoy your new space!

January 2021: San Francisco Neighborhoods

Real Estate, San Francisco

The market for homes in the city remains affected by COVID-19.

The San Francisco real estate market has historically been one of the best in the world. However, in recent years, markets in urban centers started to taper due to decreased amounts of foreign investment. In particular, it became increasingly difficult for the Chinese to get money out of their country – even just for a down payment. Being that San Francisco and New York real estate was largely fueled by investors, losing rental income can vastly affect the efficacy of their business.

Yet, for those who have been waiting patiently for the right wave, interest rate lows mean that larger borrowers will benefit from access to capital. There are many podcasts on house hacking, real estate investing, and on purchasing your first home.

I wanted to share some of my favorite San Francisco neighborhoods. Whether you’re thinking about renting a place, buying a home, or starting a real estate business, Miya Real Estate hopes that this breakdown of some attractive neighborhoods is helpful!

SoMa

SoMa, or South of Market, is a vast industrial district with a warehouse feel. It encompasses Mission Bay and South Beach, newly gentrified areas. Surrounding Yerba Buena Gardens on Mission and 3rd is an arts center, convention center, and several museums – including the acclaimed San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). The area is dotted with coffee shops, dining options, and traditional retail outlets.

Perfect for gym lovers, museum hoppers, and takeout orderers.

Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf, on the northern waterfront, is one of the city’s tourist attractions. Souvenir shops and sourdough bread-bowl vendors, plus postcard views of the bay, Golden Gate, and Alcatraz make this a buzzing place. Near the pier, there is a colony of sea lions to see and listen to, along with historic ships and buildings. At Ghirardelli Square, fine boutiques and eateries reside in the famed former chocolate factory.

Perfect for seafood eaters, boutique shoppers, and water lovers.

The Mission

Named after 1776-built Mission Dolores, the Mission District is an exuberant, evolving neighborhood with Latino roots. Vibrant murals are your backdrop and vendors line the streets. Learn more about the history of this district.

Perfect for taco junkies, bicyclists, and evolvers.

Surveillance & Censorship: Endgame

Business, Reform

Big Tech’s downfall is just three moves away, with the onset of the next industrial revolution…

Okay, excuse The Queen’s Gambit reference but I’m obsessed! Such a great storyline that kept me hooked, with awesome character development.

The truth is that the business world is like a game. For the last few decades, the technology sector has been teeming. However, we’ve seen the plateau of technology platforms.

Before you start worrying that our economy will collapse, know that we are in the beginning stages of another industrial revolution. Machine learning and other forms of artificial intelligence will drastically change transportation, agriculture, and other industries. This will largely reduce the costs and risks of doing business.

Although tech billionaires often receive the limelight, it must be remembered that industrial investors truly hold the reigns. The fall of Big Tech has been coming for some time. With toxic artificial intelligence practices, ideal reinforcement, and pornography at an all time high on social media platforms, one starts to wonder if they even want to be part of this club anymore.

Luckily, there are companies now focused on ethical artificial intelligence. Instead of being about control, AI should be about service. I like artificial intelligence because it often makes my life easier. What I don’t like is feeling like – or knowing that – I’m being spied on and influenced to further a certain agenda.

Now before you start hating The Man, ponder the alternative. In order to focus more and to be a more authentic version of myself, I have indefinitely deleted social media from my phone. I will, thus, be in a better space to create and plan to take back a few more hours everyday. Here are some safe tech recommendations.

In light of everything happening, I urge everyone to stay in peace.

These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

John 15:17-27

I’m trying to start a morning routine to get me plugged in! I want to know what y’all do to start your days?