Theme: The Power of Positive Thinking

THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING
Listen to perspectives and stories from Kumu Puna Kalama Dawson, Kumu Sabra Kauka, Patricia Wistinghausen, Amanda Blackwell, Rachel Seretario, Meryl Abrams, Mahinanani Laughlin, Kasey Blatz (Oahu), Eliza Audo-Beliov Ph.D, Cary Valentine (Maui), Joel Salomon (New York), Brittni Friedlander (Oahu), Brit Ivy (California)

SUNDAY NOVEMBER 20
EYES WIDE OPEN PRODUCTIONS THEATER
Nawiliwili - 3285 Waapa Rd, Lihue, HI 96766
The doors open at 3:30 guests register at the entrance
Start 4 PM

EYES WIDE OPEN PRODUCTIONS
3285 Waapa RD
Lihue, Hawaii, 96766
United States

Amanda Blackwell

Writer

As a former competitive figure skater, I dealt with a lot of pressure when it came to my body and having to look a certain way and “fit the mold” of the ideal physique to be successful. During my own recovery, a change in my thinking has been the most effective way of being at peace with my body. By changing my thoughts about my body and what it looks like and alchemizing this belief system and changing my thinking into what it can do, has been the biggest tool for self-acceptance.

Britt Ivy

Speaker/Author

Britt Ivy is an author, speaker, and coach who is passionate about women's health, wellness and success. Britt worked with CNN News Radio in Silicon Valley and then CBS Television before launching her own TV talk show, which she hosted and produced for 15 years, having the honor of interviewing actors, authors and influencers in all walks of life. She now coaches women to achieve physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Britt is passionate about philanthropy, including her involvement in establishing community supply programs supporting women in need. The power of God and positivity guide Britt's life as she works to offer hope to the brokenhearted.

Brittni Friedlander

Educator, Children’s Book Author

Brittni has her Bachelor’s of Science in Education degree with distinction from Chaminade University of Honolulu. In 2022, Brittni was accepted as a Fulbright Hays Fellow from the US Department of Education and was able to travel to the Philippines for two months to create lesson plans regarding sustainability. As an advocate for science and sustainability, Brittni has also written a children’s book focusing on S.T.E.A.M. education.

Cary Valentine

Mental Game Coach, Author

Cary Valentine’s Champion Your Inner Game peak performance training has helped many business leaders, professionals, athletes and individuals who used his system to quickly transforms fears, doubts and worries permanently, creating more confidence, success, pleasure and joy. He understands people’s pain and challenges as his life has been littered with difficulties and has transformed his own life out of depression. Cary is a best-selling, award-winning author, certified mental game and relationship coach, experienced motivational speaker and audiobook narrator. He has been the mental game coach for University of Louisiana's Ragin' Cajuns men's golf team (NCAA Division I) and a contributing writer for Golf Tips Magazine as he interviews top PGA pro golfers on their mental game. He’s been featured on ABC, CBS & PBS Networks. You can reach Cary at ChampionYIG.com or hear his narrated audiobooks among them is Kobe: Life Lessons From A Legend & The Complete Works of Florence Scovel Shinn.

Elisa Audo-Beliov

Joyologist

Dr. Audo-Beliov earned her BA at the University of California, Santa Cruz, her MA at the United Nations’ Mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica, and her PhD in Transformative Studies at the California Institute of Integral Studies. After being diagnosed with cancer, she became a holistic wellness coach and cancer coach and is the founder of CanThrive.org, where you can find podcasts and meditations.

Joel Salomon

Master Prosperity coach

Joel is a Finance and Mindful Money Expert and Master Prosperity Coach who helps others overcome obstacles standing in the way of their financial freedom. Joel’s mission is to help at least 100,000 people become financially free. He’s an award-winning speaker, workshop facilitator and frequent television and podcast guest who has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Newsday, U.S. News and World Report, and interviewed in Forbes and on Bloomberg Radio. As a former manager of a $700 million portfolio, the creator of his own successful hedge fund and the author of three best-selling books: Infinite Love and Money, The 9 Money Rules Millionaires Use and Mindful Money Management, Joel is an expert in the field of finance and the mindset of money. Just as he teaches in his books and seminars, the true foundation of wealth and financial freedom is a mindset of abundance, self-worth, gratitude, love and service. You can reach Joel at www.salaurmor.com.

Kasey Baltz

Travel Journalist

Kasey Baltz is a freelance Travel Journalist and co-owner & founder of Deep Blue Eco-Tours. Kasey has been featured in Hawai'i Magazine and a featured TV Guest Host on Da Best Hawai'i. Kasey interviews and films unique experiences, adventure, and storytelling on her brand Compass Travelers. Kasey is passionate about storytelling and inspiring people to follow their joy and intuition or “inner compass”. Kasey grew up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts and pushed herself to take the jump and follow her passions. She is a motivational speaker and environmental and social justice advocate living on Oahu.

Koko Kaneali'i

Entertainer/Hawaiian Music

Born on Oʻahu, Koko Kanealiʻi’s interest in show business started in Kindergarten at the Salvation Army School in Damon Tract. At age 13 he took up percussion. A graduate of Castle High School in 1965, he was drafted into the Army the following year and served a tour of duty in Vietnam. Back on Oʻahu, in 1969 he started doing studio work at Sounds of Hawaiʻi, and joined a band called The Tradewinds. In 1970 Iva Kinimaka asked him to join his band at Duke’s, where he was eventually offered a contract to be in Don Ho’s 32-piece orchestra. He moved to Kaua’i in 1979, performing with Larry Rivera, Titus Kinimaka, Kalani Flores and others. He was a DJ at KIVM that would eventually become KONG. In 1992 he landed a small part in Honeymoon in Vegas, and in 2009 he acted in The Descendants where he was featured in the scene from Tahiti Nui. Kaneali’i founded KanakAttack Entertainment and hosts live events at different venues on Kaua’i for Hawaiian/Island Music.

Mahinanani Laughlin

Soul Explorer

Mahinanani Laughlin was born on Oahu and moved to Kauai when she was one years-old with her mother who is from Detroit. She has an ancient black lineage from the Congo from her maternal side . Her father comes from a long line of Hawaiian and filipino kahunas. She was taught at a very young age how to connect to the elements, mostly the ocean and how to read the tides, the winds and the spiritual guardians of our beautiful world. She realizes more and more how important it is to share ancient original knowledge of this land with people. Being a mother is of central importance to Mahinanani, a daughter a sister, a friend and most recently a grandmother. Her soul mission in this lifetime is to help humanity connect back with our Mother Earth. And remember that every step and every breath is part of the ceremony that we are privileged and honored to participate in together.

Meryl Abrams

Educator

Bio: Meryl Abrams has a BA and MS from the University of Michigan, and has taught high school science for many years. Her real love has been raising and homeschooling her four children, ages 29, 26, 23 and 18, for their entire primary and secondary education. She loves to swim, hike, and garden. She loves to travel when she can. Meryl is also teaching yoga currently at the Westin Princeville.

Patricia Wistinghausen

Speaker and Social Entrepreneur

is a Speaker and Social Entrepreneur from the beautiful island of Kaua’i in Hawai’i. For well over a decade, she has served as a community organizer, advocate, and volunteer; especially focused on women’s advocacy, mental health, and suicide prevention education. As a Resource & Collaboration Consultant, Patricia helps women-owned small businesses and nonprofits learn to navigate networking, build up their connections and confidence, and collaborate with others to amplify their community impact. For the past 9 years, Patricia has been a volunteer and active member of the Prevent Suicide Kaua'i Task Force, currently serves as Co-Chair, and has helped organize and host dozens of suicide prevention activities and trainings for Hawai’i. She’s also a lifelong advocate for empowering women and girls, and was appointed to serve as Associate Director on the National Association of Commissions for Women's board.

Puna Kalama Dawson

Kumu Hula Hawaiian Cultural Practitioner

Keikilaniwahinealiiopuna (Puna) lives on Kauai, Hawaii. As record keeper of Hawaiian culture and history, she is an internationally honored elder of the Hawaiian islands. Her family-roots take her far back in time. Her direct ancestors are found in the royal family of the time of the Hawaiian kingdom, as well as in the lineages of the hula masters (kahula), the lua masters (kalua) and the seers (kahuna). Puna travels in the footprints of her ancestors (amongst other destinations) to Europe to strengthen the cultural bridges and to support world peace.

Rachel Secretario

Finance, Education, Comedian

Professionally, Rachel has served as the spokesperson for Commercial Recycling in Honolulu, worked in event planning and marketing roles for the Boy Scouts of America, and has planned seminars and collaborated with attorneys nationwide for National Business Institute. She has taught 3's Pre-school and currently teaches art at Kapa'a Elementary School. At Secretario Financial, LLC she Is a Licensed Agent in Hawai'i, California, Colorado, and Iowa. She specializes in Retirement and Social Security Analysis and Medicare. Rachel is currently the PTA President for Kapa'a Elementary School, she teaches stand-up comedy to youth ages 5-15 and is a professional MC and Stand-up Comedian. Rachel is enrolled in the class of 2023 for Leadership Kaua'i, and is a candidate for Kaua’i County Council for 2023-2025.

Sabra Kauka

Kumu

Celebrated as one of the most influential na wahine alakai (women leaders) of Kauai, Sabra Kauka shares her passion for Hawaiian culture by educating youth and adults alike. As the daughter of an army officer and then as the wife of an air force pilot, Kauka experienced many different cultures living around the world. She was a photojournalist in Alaska when the calling of her Native Hawaiian community brought her home. Her knowledge and care for the environment and perpetuation of Native Hawaiian traditions made her a respected cultural leader of the community. She serves as kumu of Hawaiian studies and hula at Island School and as the coordinator of Hawaiian Studies on Kauai for the Department of Education. In this position she supports all the Hawaiian Studies Kumu from Hanalei to Kekaha. She is a team member of the Kulia i Ka Nuu Project at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Kumu Kapa on Kauai. Kumu Sabra she has taught hundreds of students.