TPR News About me, the journalist, MENTORS

I am a credentialed member of the press, through C.F.A.P.A., which gives journalists like me a leg up, until we can get those "bigger" press passes. C.F.A.P.A. believes in the FREE PRESS. And so do I. I believe in the journalists creeds, and codes of honor, and the responsibility of being the 4th Estate.

 

For myself, my writing, at least as a journalist has several layers. I do straight reporting, where it is just a recitation of the Five W's. Then, there is reporting that is more emotionally charged, controversial, and sometimes shocking.   Then, there is the type of reporting that is done after reflection of events, either past pr present, or an investigatory approach, perhaps interviews, chasing leads, or just putting all the facts together. There is one other type of journalism, and that is where I really enjoy putting the words to it. That would be editorializing, being a pundit, thinking about things, expressing an opinion, coming to conclusions, and writing opinion pieces. That is my true love.

I have had some great mentors in journalism. My first one, was the great jeanie Holmes, who was the first female editor of the local paper, where I currently reside

 https://www.thegardenisland.com/2016/05/29/hawaii-news/jean-holmes-editor-with-no-fear/. She was the first real journalist I ever met in my life. later, I met her when I was invited to go to a program that trained agricultural workers, and journalism was part of  the curriculum for the program. I was hooked after that,

I then had the privilege to be taught, and then write for a college newspaper, through the great  Carol Bain, who sadly has already passed on. I learned a lot from her, about reigning myself in, and being more precise. Which is hard for a wild spirited person like myself. https://www.thegardenisland.com/2016/05/18/hawaii-news/carol-bain-a-woman-of-vision/ Carol had a full active life full of many accomplishments. And then, there was this intrepid "Photographer", who also became a real reporter at an actual bricks and mortar newspaper, who inspired me in another type of direction. Wherever I was in my life, he was always there, at all the events taking great pictures, doing interviews, and getting us local folks in the newspaper, which is always a thrill for everyone. Watching him, I learned a lot. He is a great role model for real on the street reporting style and interaction. After watching him for decades, he really inspired me to go for it, and become a journalist.He also inspired me to take media courses at college, and learn photography.

(Dennis graciously game me top billing recently, as I graduated college).https://www.thegardenisland.com/2021/05/15/hawaii-news/kcc-graduates-more-than-100/ Thanks Dennis. I am pretty honored by that.

Around the time I first became aware of Dennis, there was another journalist, using the street reporting style but with a camcorder, and video.. That distinction goes to Dickie Chang, who called himself 'Walaau", which also happened to be my nickname as well. It was pretty funny to see, but he has far surpassed me, being a very successful journalist and interviewer with his own tv shows locallyhttps://www.thegardenisland.com/2020/01/10/entertainment/its-aloha-for-walaau/

I have always been fascinated in journalism. Stories fascinate me. Culturally I have remembered many stories, histories and cultural beliefs by memory alone, as an Oral Historian. I have always loved reading, and writing, and speaking. I ran three times for public office. (Unsuccessfully, but I enjoyed doing it). 

I have been an activist and participated in many marches and protests in my area. I am also an artist, and enjoy both 2D and 3D mediums, and computer generated art and animations, and photography and have sold many pieces over the years. Education is a lifelong pursuit for me. I am currently writing my first book, entitled "A Life Of Leaves", which I hope to publish, which is an autobiography of my evolution as an activist. 

I have written editorials, and I have an active daily news feed and commentary feed on twitter. I am opinionated, and enjoy writing and discussing many topics, such as politics, socioeconomic issues, equal and civil rights, international and world news, situations and policies. I love the outdoors, fresh air and sunshine.  I constantly need to create and communicate with others. It is a joy for me to engage people, and their interests. 

My education may seem meager,  but it goes deeper then you may think. I am often underestimated, and the underdog. I am continuing to pursue my education. I continue to pursue journalism, reporting, and the role the press plays in society.

 I have worked many jobs over the years, everything from a ditch-
digger, taro farmer, hula dancer, cultural practitioner, artist, waitress, politician, speaker, and warehouse worker in Box stores (3), model, actress, costumer, designer,and an irrigation on a plantation, a hotel worker, a vegetable farmer, a single mother. 

Through all of these occupations, I always wrote, and was fascinated with the news and stories and histories. I have always loved to speak, and to be on stage,  but I have also been fascinated with other people and their stories. I have enjoyed being an activist, and supporting and fighting for the things I believe in. 

It has made my rather mundane existence worthwhile. I have had many adventures and done many things, none of which are important individually but put together make an interesting and sometimes difficult life, of which I would not take back a single minute.

 

Now with the launching of this news blog, I can expand on my daily twitter news reporting and expand my reporting into areas I want to highlight and delineate, and comment further on.

 

I hope you will come on the journey with me!

 

AP.