Steve Sue

About

BIO & PICS

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Steve Sue, Chief Lemon Head Lemonade Alley, Big Buzz at BizzyB.com, Chairman Bizgenics Foundation

SHORT BIO:

Steve Sue is best known as a champion of the Shaka gesture having produced the documentary, “Shaka, A Story of Aloha,” the first in a trilogy of Aloha Spirit films that includes “The 100th, Seeds of Aloha” and “ʻONO, Foods of Aloha.” He also founded Project Shaka a non-profit movement that includes the Aloha Film Trilogy, wrote the 2024 bill that made the Shaka the Official Gesture of Hawai’i and created the Hawai’i DMV Shaka License Plate. He serves as Chairperson at ID8 (ide•ate), the Hawai’i 501C3 nonprofit behind Project Shaka.

He owns O-WOW, Inc., a digital automation firm that specializes in custom software, app and website automations, and SumoSum.com, a free visually-oriented financial forecasting application.

His career spans 25 years as a story expert, conceptualist and social venturer in entertainment, hospitality, food service, retail, product and software. Steve holds a BA in design from UCLA and a JD in law from UC Berkeley.

THE DEEP DIVE…

Conceptualist: Steve’s education in design and law resulted in a career as a conceptualist and “story guy” of theme parks, live entertainment productions, corporate theater, retail environments, restaurants, product brands and resort casinos.

Software Developer: In his mid-career, Autodesk provided a turning point by licensing his signature hand-drawing style for use within AutoCAD products. While helping create algorithms that mimic his hand drawing style, he learned how to develop software. Soon after, he began developing software products of his own.

Social Venturer: In 2009, Steve married his dream girl and settled in Hawai’i. Since then, Steve has created ventures from Hawai’i, including SumoSum.com, a visually-based financial forecasting application. He also has executed local projects including the creation of ChefZone for Y. Hata & Company, the rebranding of Waikiki Trolley, and built a food bank app for The Pantry.

Mentor: Through ID8 501C3, Steve is known as a pioneer of project-based learning, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship models having created Lemonade Alley (a culinary entrepreneurship challenge), Project Lemon Tree (a school tree planting program), BizzyB.com (a project-based learning application) and a number of PBL curriculum models for entrepreneurship, app development and search engine optimization (“SEO”) writing. He also founded ID8 Studios (a digital media soundstage operated by ID8 for the State of Hawai‘i).

Boards & Advisory: Steve has served on several local boards and advisory groups including Feeding Hawai’i Together, Entrepreneurs Foundation of Hawai’i, Scouting BSA (Steve is an Eagle Scout), Blue Startups, Hawai’iloa EcosySTEM Cabinet, A’o Aloha Social Emotional Learning Collaborative, Hawai’i State Workforce Development Council and the James Campbell High School Academy Advisory Board.

Just take your time. Let the others go… then catch the big one.”

~ Duke Kahanamoku, Legendary Surfer

MENTOR MATH

We are the sum of others…

Technology

[h4]Geek Speak[/h4] [ul] [li][strong]Macs: [/strong]For years, I’d been back and forth between PCs and Macs ~ until I met [strong][em]John Finn[/em][/strong]. John is a motion graphics guy best known for creating fancy TV show animation intros. He’s also a wickedly talented photographer. John got me into Macs once and for all. While the phones and pads are great, the real move forward was getting into graphics, photo and video features that Macs excel at. Thanks John for bringing me into the 21st century, for putting up with all my stupid questions and all the years carousing at the Foundation Room.[/li] [li][strong]Web:[/strong] The Internet for me is the result of a chain reaction. John Finn (noted above) introduce me to [em][strong]John LeBlanc[/strong][/em]. LeBlanc has a way with the Web, people and music. I’m not sure which he is most proficient at, but there’s no doubt that he’s a master of all. John brought me to the world of the Internet, SXSW and WordPress. He’s the best example of a person who’s 100% present and real. I love his style and I love him as a true friend. I’m a fan. John’s girlfriend, now wife unit, [em][strong]Kimee Balmilero[/strong][/em] would certainly chime in here with a “Bromance…” line. OK, while true, I also look up to Kimee for her teaching me witty smarts through her improv acting techniques. Kimee is also 100% invested in the non-profit work we do together so silly girl: jettison the bromance line and get it on with a three-some snipe. BTW, I should sneak in a blurb on [em][strong]Lance Lew[/strong] [/em]who introduced me to both Finn and LeBlanc. Quite the cascade. Lance is a connector, immensely talented and a true friend. He’s been a TV guy for as long as I’ve known him and we’ve done countless events together. He can arrange flowers like all get out, is a foodie and throws the most amazing parties ever. Recently, he picked up Lemonade Alley and ran it in the SF Bay Area through NBC and YMCA. More than anything, he’s 100% caring and thinks of others. Thanks Lance for thinking of us all.[/li] [li][strong]Software:[/strong] In the late 90’s, I was introduced to software development by [em][strong]Michael Perrani[/strong][/em]. Mike brought me to Autodesk to make AutoCAD’s straight line computer drawings into hand-hewn Steve-style concept drawings. Through the process, I developed a taste for the art of software. Mike taught me that we could logically explain and create formulas for all the soft, unconscious stuff that poured out of my pens. Through him I learned that there is rhyme and reason behind everything. There is order to the world. Thanks Mike for bringing me to your world. After AutoDesk, I started making my own software and eventually found my way to [em][strong]Riz Rahman[/strong][/em], in my view, one of the most human, nicest, can-do software developers ever. Riz has kept me out to technical trouble for more than a decade of many builds. Heʻs calm, cool and always collected. Weʻve created and solved more than a few pretty cool applications.[/li] [/ul]