So Much More Hawaii Puka Shell Tour Guides
In late April, just before leaving for Chicago, Alltop received an inquiry from Christine Lu of Cilantro Media to develop a partnership for the So Much More Hawaii tour. As I discussed my strategy in a previous post, I created an opportunity for myself.
I volunteered to bridge the local social media and blogging community with the So Much More Hawaii team. I have always believed that the State of Hawaii’s best evangelists are its residents, its people. Additionally, one of the best ways to experience a new place is through the recommendations and conversations with the locals. Borrowing the concept from the late, Rap Replinger I put together a team of Puka Shell Tour Guides.
Oahu
Burt Lum is a self-proclaimed digital ronin; the co-host of Hawaii’s leading tech radio show, Bytemarks Cafe; and the social and new media expert at one of Hawaii’s largest medical insurance companies. Professionally, Burt seems to tip the scales heavily towards tech, however if you have spent time with him and have come to know him like I have you’ll realize that he has a very spiritual side of him. Burt is a member of Protect Kaho’olawe Ohana and applies Eastern philosophy practices to his daily life. His knowledge of Eastern spiritual practices are a good match for Leah Lamb’s curiousity.
Melissa Chang, Twitterlulu’s “pushy Chinee broad” is also an accomplished writer for Metromix and has one of the most popular blogs on the Honolulu Advertiser. So popular that her posts have been known to resurrect a “Little Oven” with oh, a modest 80,000 page views for a single story. She has inspired me to discover my inner foodie, and she will definitely serve Oahu on her finest China for Chef Mark Tafoya.
Who doesn’t love the wit and charm of @ParkRat? If you follow him on Twitter then you know that majority of his day is spent shuttling his children to their different sports activities. And, at times his twittersteam is so busy, if you didn’t know him in real life you’d think he has a dozen little parkrats! He has a terrific sense of humor which is why Sheila Scarborough will have a LOL IRL time with @ParkRat!
When I first met this man, he said that he had such admiration and respect for my father that he’d follow him into battle — powerful words that touched my heart. Olin Lagon, Director of Tech & Social Ventures, Kanu Hawaii; his passion is social entrepreneurship. I just heard from Olin and he and Aric S. Queen have planned a full day of activities on Oahu.
Bruce and Yaling Fisher owners of HAWAII-ALOHA.COM love in no particular order; Hawaii, social media, and each other. Being a Puka Shell Tour Guide for the So Much More Hawaii Tour was almost godsend. In truth, their generosity to the local community is godsend. Bruce and Yaling did not wait for the official start of the tour, they’ve already had lunch with Christine Lu!
Maui
Liza is the Kama’aina blogger behind A Maui Blog. She has been living on Maui since 1994 and considers Maui as her “home”. She’s a 40 something mom who likes exploring Maui with family. She’s a busy working mom to two tweens (11 yr old Hapa Boy and a 10 yr old Hapa Girl).
Sarah Burns is The Ohana Mama that traded traffic filled freeways and the cold west coast waters for a beach house in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. A Mom and Entrepreneur, she is building a place in the blogosphere that highlights and supports women entrepreneur.
Melanie Kosaka is the owner and founder of First Daughter Mediaworks a company specializing in culinary television production and interactive media. She is also the creator and Founder of Share Your Table, where food traditions, recipes and memories feast. Melanie, Melissa, and Mark have planned an itinerary for Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island!
Big Island
Leslie Lang is an award-winning business, book, and magazine writer whose work has appeared on NPR’s All Things Considered, Hawaiian Airlines InFlight Magazine: Hana Hou!, and Homes of the Big Island to name a few. Her blogs include Big Island on the Cheap and Honolulu on the Cheap.
