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
Events•
on December 22nd, 2009•
As I mentioned in a previous post, the unconference format, especially for the Hawaii community (and perhaps for yours) will be very important for 2010. For years we’ve been researching, networking, and building our kits with branding, marketing, and social media tools. Moving into the new year, the focus should be on building and strengthening your community.
As I have for the past few years, I’ll be traveling throughout the U.S. and for the first time, internationally; attending different tech, social media, and leadership conferences. Additionally, upon returning to Hawaii I will be conducting presentations based on what was learned, gained, and processed from each conference.
Here are a list of conferences that either I or my partners at Grilled Cornbread, LLP are considering attending in 2010:
January
- International CES
January 7 – 10, 2010
Las Vegas Convention Center/Hilton Convention Center/Venetian Hotel
Las Vegas, NV
- Allied Ronin Leadership Retreat*
January 23 – 27, 2010
Four Springs Retreat Center
Middletown, CA
- CHIRP: The Official Twitter Developer Conference**
February
March
- SXSW
March 12 – 21, 2010
Interactive: March 12 – 16
Film: March 12 – 20
Music: March 17 – 21
Austin, TX
- DEMO
March 21 – 23, 2010
Palm Desert, CA
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
This will be an evolving list because let’s face it, tech and social media conferences are planned in a handful of weeks. There are some unconferences that I have not listed because they’re invite only. What conferences are you attending to build and strengthen your community and team in 2010?
Interested in attending a social media briefing?
Pono Media•
on October 13th, 2009•
Launched with purpose on January 1, 2010 — Hawaii Tech 5.0 is a history of research, science, and technology development in Hawaii’s emerging innovation industries. HT5.0 will serve as the most complete and comprehensive database of Hawaii’s tech industry.
Pono Media•
on October 13th, 2009•
The historical campaign and election of Hawaii born and raised, President Barack Obama set the stage for what will be one of the most exciting election seasons. Hawaii Elections 2010 will capture the spirit of the incumbents, candidates, and issues through photographs inspiring the residents of the State of Hawaii to GET INVOLVED!
Pono Media•
on October 12th, 2009•
While researching for Hawaii Tech 5.0, our team discovered a void — so we filled it. Hawaii Traditions: Traditions, Values, and Culture…Hawaii Style acknowledges everything good about the local culture of Hawaii. Hawaii’s host culture will always be the traditions and values provided by the Hawaiian people. But today, the local culture is a medley of the traditions, values, and culture shared from the Chinese, Japanese, Filipinos, Portuguese, Samoan, Caucasian, and other migrants to the isles. But, like our readers, practitioners of Hawaii’s traditions, values, and culture span the global; and we seek to acknowledge them as well.
The So Much More Hawaii website officially launched early this morning signifying the much anticipated, first ever social media tour sponsored by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. There has already been a lot of buzz in the local blogosphere and on Twitter. Some are skeptical, many are anxious, but one thing I know for sure — the Hawaii Tourism Authority is poised to becoming a leader in the social media world.
Organized by Cilantro Media, its founding partner Christine Lu has a proven, successful track record in the social media sphere. She was named “20 Most Influential Individuals in Los Angeles” by NowPublic based on her influence and “publicness” in online visibility, presence on user generated content and social networking sites, interactivity and accessibility, and presence on microblogging platforms. She shared the impressive list with the CEO of Mahalo, Jason Calacanis; notorious gossiper Perez Hilton, and the Queen of Spain Erin Kotecki Vest to name a few.
In November 2008 she co-organized the China 2.0 tour, similar to the So Much More Hawaii, but on a much larger scale. And, even larger than the China 2.0 tour, Christine’s company, Cilantro Media is a partner in the upcoming Geeks on A Plane.
Over the next week, I will be blogging about my role in the So Much More Hawaii Tour; the role of Alltop and Pono Media; and of course highlighting so much more about Hawaii.
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!
