Steve is the founder of ID8 and itʻs programs including serving as producer of the documentary, “Shaka, A Story of Aloha.” Steve is also a social venturer, author of the financial modeling app SumoSum.com and owner of O-WOW, Inc., a business automation firm known for creating websites, apps and custom software. In his early career, he was conceptualist, art director and brand strategist in entertainment, real estate, foodservice, retail and casino resort development. For more, see stevesue.com
Frances is a real estate residential sales agent with Team Taparra, Brokered by eXp. Prior to real estate, she has over 23 years of client service in banking. She prides herself in listening ability and solution finding. Through ID8, she seeks to develop meaningful ways to help people achieve their dreams.
Sean is a commercial real estate broker, private money lender and owner/operator of Buns Hawai’i, a food service enterprise at the University of Hawai’i, Manoa.
Cynthia oversee Oahu Center operations of HISBDC, managing a team of professional advisors, and collaborating with federal, state, county, and other resource partners to create and deliver programs for small businesses in various industries such as hospitality, healthcare services, agriculture, education, manufacturing, retail, restaurant, real estate, construction, and government contracting. Cynthia also operated EE Path, engaging in public speaking, team building and personalized coaching for business owners and leaders.
Emari Hunn, SVP at First Foundation Bank and Co-Director of Inspire Collective, is a dedicated leader with 26 years of experience, including 15 in banking. She connects entrepreneurs, fosters financial literacy, and coordinates major events. She leads the Kids Leadership Program at Inspire Church and serves as President of Soroptimist International of Honolulu. A four-time Presidential Volunteer Service Award recipient, she continues to uplift her community with the spirit of aloha.
Rebecca currently serves as the Creative Services Director at KITV4 Island News in Honolulu, Hawai’i. She is also a Finnish-born filmmaker known for the award-winning Korean-American feature “Junho.” Her dedication to fostering a vibrant TV and filmmaking community is evident through the successful globally-hosted Filmmaker Pau Hana – meetup she founded, and co-produced with ID8 Studios. She holds an MBA and formerly represented Finland on their Rhythmic Gymnastics National Team.
Kimee produces Hawaii Comedy Festival, an ID8 annual event and is the director of ImprovHI, a Honolulu-based sketch comedy group. She’s also a Hawaii born actor best known for her regular role as Medical Examiner Dr. Noelani Cunha on CBS’ “Hawaii Five-0” and “Magnum P.I.” Other professional credits include: The 3X Emmy Nominated musical children’s series “Hi-5,” the Original Broadway Cast of “Mamma Mia,” and the 2nd National Touring Company of “Miss Saigon.”
John is a veteran web technologist who is a project lead for O-WOW, Inc. and on his own as a consultant. He has built websites from the dawn of the Internet. He also has a deep background in music as an accomplished guitarist. He’s also married to Kimee Balmilero, thus known as “Kimeeʻs arm candy” and her sidekick in the annual production of Hawaii Comedy Festival.
Riz is an entrepreneur and software developer with 20 years of international software production experience. He owns AsthaIT, a software development firm that has partnered with Hawaii-based O-WOW, Inc., since 2013 building BizzyB.com, SumoSum.com and other software applications. With a major in computer science and a minor in AI, he coded and sold his first commercial software when he was in high school. Riz has architected, engineered and delivered numerous successful products. His interests lie in building scalable, fault-tolerant, high-traffic, intelligent platforms. When not creating tech, he loves to read and travel.
ID8 (ide•ate) is a Hawai’i 501C3 nonprofit that fosters ideation and expression to create positive impacts. About »