who i am & what i do

O’ahu Shoots

O’ahu was never my original plan. If you had asked high school me what my next 5 years was going to look like, I would’ve said, “I’m going to graduate from my dream school, Reed College, as an environmental science major/ astrophysics minor, start my political career to champion the Earth, get the insider knowledge of “the system”, and be on track to be the first woman president (with my first lady by my side) to restore justice and reallocate the defense budget to create world peace by focusing on healing the Earth and her people.”

While I got in (90% sure my “Twin Peaks 101” Paideia Class on media literacy via spiritual symbolism & queer theory was what sold the admissions team), it felt just north of tangible, and the application I had sent to Hawai’i Pacific University on a whim kept nudging me. HPU had a partial scholarship through the International Vocal Ensemble, and after my Skype audition, connecting with the director (shout out Dr. Schu!) I finally felt clarity instead of fantasy.

24 hours before the false bomb scare of 2018, I officially committed to HPU. August of that year, I entered, an ever-enthusiastic environmental science major and IVE member. 5 years, 4 majors, & 3 concussions later, I graduated with a B.A. in Arts & Markets with a writing minor.

Taking a much-needed post-grad sabbatical, I found myself right back at square one, confined inside the four pale yellow walls in that little box in NJ. While I was happy to spend time with family, childhood friends, two lovely black cats, all my childhood creations, and personal library- the weight of my old tears & fears still hung heavy in the air.

Luckily, I was able to make peace with a lot of the poltergeists of my own unresolved emotions through meditating daily in the yard, picking up guitar, journaling, doing makeup, writing, and doing other creative projects. I knew this return was necessary- I had to heal what was hurt for so long.

But I was conflicted. Being back in the space my body remembered being trapped, I was constantly triggered. I knew I couldn’t stay, but I had no clarity of where to go.

So, I started going to a reiki practitioner (Shoutout Marilyn Ocasio Forward!). 2-3 sessions in, I told her that I didn’t know what I was meant to go or do, & she told me I did know, and said to close my eyes & listen to my what my heart said.

as I went within, I saw flashbacks of all the time I spent on O’ahu, specifically the Ko’olau Mountains, & the shuttle rides from town to East Side. As a student, that never got old for me, it was a different ride every day, and there was where I learned what true self-liberation is- the ability to always change myself & my perspective.

after seeing that, I made a deal with God. I said “okay, if you & my heart really want me there, I’ll go back, but I have to be of service.”

less than three months after i returned, i started a mentorship with the legendary Maschil Edwards at Kaka’ako Krystals Sound Mind Wellness, where I began to study the art of sound healing and yoga in tandem with entrepreneurship 101 under her expertise. i got to shadow- learning the nuances how to help empower & remind clients that they can heal themselves, from keiki to kupuna, to anyone in between (including myself!). this was the beginning of the remembrance and embodiment of my highest self and the foundations of the services I now provide.

I still work with her and hold down the fort on O’ahu for what has evolved into Sound Mind Journey Well, a robust multi-national network of healing spaces all over the U.S., while also doing my art & living my Purpose every day.

& that’s the story so far!

mahalo nui loa for reading, i look forward to connecting with you <3