Companies, Events•
on January 16th, 2010•
Haitian Assistance Relief Telethon #HART
My friend, Founder of One by One Media and the Social Media and Conference Director for BlogWorld, Jim Turner emailed me earlier today asking for help. I didn’t read any further when I had already decided that I would. I have experienced Jim’s giving spirit during his participation in So Much More Hawaii and [re]Think: Hawaii, so I knew what he was asking wasn’t for himself, but to serve others.
One by One Media, Cause Media Group, and WS Radio are coming together to begin a grassroots program to reach out to the people of Haiti and begin a grass roots program to raise awareness and more importantly, money to help in the relief effort.
Powered by the studio and services of WS Radio, Jim will host a 24-hour live radio telethon on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. HST, 6:00 p.m. PST, and 9:00 p.m. EST. My friend Chris Noble and his Cause Media Group will provide a convenient vehicle for donations.
Tune in, I’ll be a guest during the telethon from 9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time and hopefully rally more people to heed the call to help.
Industry-leading provider of cross platform mobile applications, Motherapp Limited has partnered with local media marketing startup, Pono Media to develop and market mobile applications in Hawaii, Guam, and throughout Polynesia. Founded in Hong Kong in 2005 by former original Google team member, Ken Law and serial entrepreneur, Leo Chan; Motherapp focuses on creating mobile apps using their patent-pending technology, which allows them to create applications quickly and easily for all major platforms. Clients include mobile operators, banks, and leading content providers like Guy Kawasaki, Jeremiah Owyang, and Chris Brogan.
Pono Media Founder, L.P. “Neenz” Faleafine has put together a team of local programmers; Kaeo Kepani, Zen Lao, and Tammi Hitchcock. Only a week into the partnership, the team has already begun developing mobile applications for local businesses.
Faleafine first entered the tech industry in 2007 as an enthusiast and then a writer for Nononina’s citizen media site, Truemors and currently as the Chief Evangelist for the company’s leading news aggregation site, Alltop. She is one of Hawaii’s leaders in the social media community speaking to businesses, organizations, and entrepreneurs about creating ones own opportunities as well as providing media solutions and strategy services.
A tourism driven State, Faleafine explained, “With a mobile app, travelers will be able to book their flights, hotels, or activities at the convenience of their smartphones whether they own a Blackberry, iPhone, or Droid.”
For retail and manufacturing businesses, a mobile application will allow customers around the globe to easily order products or local residents can send their family and friends gifts. As a business owner with children who have equally busy lives, Faleafine envisions more personal luxuries, “I’d like to be able to order and pay for dinner from Haili’s while watching my son’s soccer practice via an app built by Pono Media, powered by Motherapp.”
Pono Media is looking to empower every Hawaii business and organization with their own mobile application and will be looking towards doing the same in Guam and the rest of Polynesia later this year.
Contact:
L.P. “Neenz” Faleafine
neenz@ponomedia.com
(808) 542-5207
Companies, Pono Media•
on November 24th, 2009•
Earlier this month at the [re]Think: Hawaii conference, I announced my partnership with Ed Young of TEYC Hawaii and launched Entrepreneurs-Wanted.org. EW will provide the following to entrepreneurial teams and individuals:
- Business intelligence
- Mentoring
- Networking
- Access to capital
Before the official launch, we were already working with companies. Interested in taking your idea and company to the next level? Email: startup@entrepreneurs-wanted.org
Companies•
on July 22nd, 2009•
One of our goals at Pono Media is to market locally owned companies that use the internet, specifically social media to leverage their business. About a month ago I was invited to become a fan of Island Papercraft, Inc. on Facebook. I was definitely curious, and began researching more about the company, it’s products, and eventually contacted owner Marsha Hamamoto who agreed to an email interview.
A local corporation for a little over a decade, Hamamoto shares Island Papercraft’s Genesis; “It was created because at the time I started my business, there seemed to be a need for a more modern, updated stationery product for both the locals and the tourists.”
The company’s entire operations from sales to graphic design to manufacturing are produced locally in Hawaii, “One of the biggest challenges we have is trying to be competitive price wise with companies that do their manufacturing overseas at highly discounted rates.”
You can find Island Papercraft, Inc.’s products online as well as at WalMart, Long’s, GBC, and The Island’s Best in Ala Moana Center.
It seems ironic that an internet marketing startup, using social media to build communities would take nearly 90-days since establishment to officially launch their website. But, like most founders of startups, we build our passions and dreams in our spare time.
I am proud to officially announce my startup, social media marketing company: Pono Media. The entrepreneurial embers have been burning within me for decades, but it wasn’t until I began working for Guy Kawasaki that I found the right waters of life to paddle my entrepreneurial canoe. The ride has been complete with high tides and low tides; with smooth sailing and stormy weathers; yet through all of this learning experience my passion for marketing, social media, and building communities only burned even stronger. And, startups cannot survive on passion alone; lessons turned into learning and growing and through application of my newly found knowledge have I gained insight and wisdom. But, my personal philosophy is to always be learning, never cease to grow, and acknowledge my network, my community.
Web Properties
Consistent in being an unconventional startup, I launched (2) web properties before officially launching Pono Media. The first was launched at the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2009 to coincide with the start of the new year and Hawaii’s celebration of 50 years of Statehood.
- Hawaii Tech 5.0 is a history of research, science, and technology development in Hawaii’s emerging innovative industries.
Hawaii’s culture has evolved into a medley of traditions and values of migrant cultures. Pono Media’s second web property was launched on February 14, 2009 to honor Hawaii’s past, report on the present, and reach out to bridge those practicing the culture globally.
I am currently working on other web properties for the Pono Media portfolio, so be sure to subscribe to our blog to learn of the official launch.
Building Communities through Social Media
Social media is a mashup of traditional print, television, radio and film; with word-of-mouth, water cooler fodder, stoop chatter, coconut wireless, and tin cans on a string that can be delivered in a heartbeat using innovative technology. In a coconut shell, social media is communication. And, we’ve learned that effective communication involves keen listening, and keen listening will create action.
Your listeners, your action takers are your communities. Pono Media builds communities through social media.
Past, Present, Future
I have lived a fortunate life. The value is in the people that I’ve met throughout the years that cared enough to provide me with the tools and skill set to be successful both personally and professionally.
I am proud to serve as the Chief Evangelist for Alltop. The success of Alltop is of high priority, however my committment and relationship with Guy, Will, and Kathryn is priceless.
Pono Media is looking forward to working with other individuals and organizations wanting to participate in the conversation. Remember, the conversation about you and your passions are already happening – don’t hesitate, contact us today, and join the conversation!
