artist, writer, author
Honolulu Arts District - Chinatown - Kaka'ako
Honolulu Hawai'i
(808) 784-8847
artist, writer, author
Honolulu Arts District - Chinatown - Kaka'ako
Honolulu Hawai'i
(808) 784-8847
Honolulu Arts District - Chinatown - Kaka'ako
Honolulu Hawai'i
(808) 784-8847
Honolulu Arts District - Chinatown - Kaka'ako
Honolulu Hawai'i
(808) 784-8847
"The best teacher protects students from personal influence so the student can learn to develop their own conclusions."
T. Visaya
I hope my art and writing will inspire you as you engage with my stories and view my artwork on this website. I established this site as a digital journal to document my creative endeavors in art and literature while residing in the land of Aloha.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, I chose to leave behind the competitive lifestyle there. I left everything and began a journey to demonstrate that the Aloha spirit is real and that my belief in it will lead me in the right direction. This quest stemmed from a desire to rejuvenate my mental well-being and connect with my spiritual inner strength.
Indeed, this task appeared quite daunting for someone in their sixties, especially with retirement on the horizon. However, I was undeterred and determined to show my ability to adapt and excel in any environment, and I did. I was ready for the challenge.
Now, I am doing what I have always wanted. I am pursuing the arts, focusing on my mental health, tapping into my inner spiritual resilience, and striving for ultimate self-expression. This is all meant to provide understanding and set an example for my estranged children, who, by their absence, led me on this path to discover the strength within myself.
The high-tech gentrification in the San Francisco Bay Area has made it hard for long-term residents to stay in their neighborhoods. Rising real estate prices have left many with no choice but to leave. Helping those affected is a growing concern. Many long-time homeowners want to refinance their homes to use the money they've gained but worry about paying a higher mortgage. They feel trapped and helpless trying to tap into the money they've earned, eventually having to sell and leave their long-time home, replaced by high-paid tech workers.
In my experience in the tech industry, I've seen a shift from a friendly, collaborative society to a competitive rat race. It's time to shift our focus from individual success to working together and creating new ideas that help everyone. Working together is important for solving big problems like gentrification. By combining our resources and knowledge, we can develop solutions that change the lives of those who need it most. Our shared goal is to make a real difference in the world we all live in.
I realized it was time to leave. I felt detached and stressed out from working and living like this. I realized that I had become entangled in the perpetual bombardment of company politics, manipulative competition between coworkers, and deadlines. If I didn't take action soon, it could seriously impact my mental well-being. I felt like a ticking time bomb ready to go off, at risk of being consumed by this toxic lifestyle. That was when I decided to depart from the Bay Area and pursue my passion for the arts and literature.
I discovered a new home in the lively Honolulu Arts District with a solid determination to uncover the true essence of living. It dawned on me that finding my Aloha—the Hawaiian way of life centered on love, peace, and compassion—was the way to go. Understanding the potential consequences of suddenly leaving, I was prepared to let karma take its course.
The feeling of being lost and disconnected from oneself can be overwhelming. Have you ever felt this way? Sometimes, we try to fit in by pretending to be someone we're not. However, we may eventually realize we're on the wrong path. This realization can be an awakening experience. I can relate to this feeling because I once lived a life that seemed perfect but ended up being a nightmare. I lost everything and had to start over, only to be in the same situation again. This left me with feelings of despair. However, I knew I couldn't continue on that path or risk losing my sanity. So, I made the choice to find a different way forward.
It's essential to have a sense of belonging and connect with like-minded people with similar beliefs and values. For those in the artistic community, finding a tribe of fellow artists can be especially beneficial. Exploring and discovering the true meaning of Aloha can provide valuable insights into maintaining mental well-being and can be a helpful journey to embark on.
I came to Hawaii to live and learn Aloha and found a culture in despair. Teaching love to those who have forsaken them as a sovereign, independent nation. The spirit of the people could not be broken. The spiritual energy of Aloha is too powerful to overcome, and I have come to love and respect the Native Hawaiian culture for all they have shared with the world.
I am torn as a veteran who loves his country but is also ashamed of what my country has done to the Hawaiian people. A culture that has shown me the meaning of Aloha. A beautiful culture that has shown the world how to love by living with the spirit of Aloha every day. I hope someday to be worthy of even being considered a Kama'aina (people of the land).
Imagine these new strange people came to your house for a visit and never left, then helped themselves to everything your home has to offer. You're in a thriving culture, and you welcomed them into your community. You share your hospitality, and your curiosity rises as they bring fine gifts from lands you have never heard of. You're overwhelmed and want to learn more.
But there's a hidden agenda. The real motive is to teach their ways and convert your way of life into theirs. As time passes, you hear their stories and adopt their culture and religion. Now you're easily manipulated into their authority of what is right and wrong. They try to suppress your language, rituals, and way of life.
Then you try to live like them and learn the world’s ways. You adapt to their politics, understanding that you're in a country of your own; it was even recognized and declared to the rest of the world. All of a sudden, things changed in the name of progress. Your reigning monarchy is under arrest, and your people are in disarray. You try to fight back to no avail against a superior military force. In despair, you relinquish your authority.
You now know and feel the sting of imperialism, and your generations will live in suppression. You are forced to live by their rules to survive.
But you have one weapon, the spirit of Aloha that will prevail.
As I've grown older, I've started questioning the wisdom of owning property. The expenses, such as mortgage, insurance, and property taxes, took up a significant portion of my monthly income. This left me with less money for other expenses, and I felt trapped by the burden of paying a mortgage. But I don't regret refinancing multiple times to take the equity out of the property so I could enjoy life. As I've aged and my income has decreased, the long-term financial implications of homeownership have become increasingly detrimental.
Upon reaching 62, I shifted my focus towards pursuing my passions and creating a legacy that would endure for my children and future generations. I opted for a simpler, carefree lifestyle with fewer worries.
Consider this question: How do you want to be remembered when you leave this planet? Do you have something to say about yourself so that others can know and understand what you are all about? Or are you satisfied just saying, "I was here, I saw, that's all, goodbye"? As a source of motivation, I often joke with myself about achieving a place on a Wikipedia page. Someday, I aspire to become well-known enough to warrant my own Wikipedia page detailing my accomplishments and contributions to society. (Smile)
To succeed in the arts, it's essential to free yourself from stress and negativity. This liberation allows creativity to flow without fear of criticism. You should be able to express yourself freely without corrupted influence from external sources. Unleash your imagination without fear of judgment, and speak and create with your mind freely without apologizing. In short, say whatever the Fuck you want, whenever you want, without holding back.
Bohemian: A Bohemian is often described as an unconventional and free-spirited individual who values creativity, artistry, and a non-traditional lifestyle. They are known for their rejection of societal norms and preference for a more alternative and liberated way of life. They prioritize self-expression, artistic pursuits, and individualism over conformity to mainstream expectations.
Bohemians are the kind of people who fearlessly challenge the status quo and wholeheartedly embrace their free-spirited and unconventional way of living. They are creative individuals who cherish the freedom to express themselves without conforming to societal norms. Bohemians are confident in their beliefs and consistently seek to explore new ideas that resonate with their values, paving their paths toward personal growth and happiness.
To truly own oneself is a privilege that goes beyond any material possession. It is a state of true freedom that requires the recognition of the invisible chains that hold us back from being our true selves. It is the ability to break free from social norms and live true to our values and beliefs. It is a powerful and transformative journey that allows us to discover our strength and resilience.
Be bold, challenge authority, and dare to be different. Climb the highest mountain, stand at its summit, and let go of the world's burdens. Release your worries beneath you and as you gaze at the horizon, immerse yourself in the serene harmony of the universe that surrounds you, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility.
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