Estrogen Rising: January 2013

The first meeting of the New Year took place on
Wednesday, January 9, 2013

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room

(Macy’s at Ala Moana Shopping Center)

Featured speaker: Jeannette Paulson Hereniko

Topic: “Just Keep Moving”

"Let me give you some advice." said my divorce lawyer as I sat in his office, shell-shocked after ending a 22 year marriage... "Just keep moving!" I've found this advice to be of terrific help whenever I have been stuck on what to do next. Just move. As much as possible, move forward.

I will read from some of my writings about moving along as a woman struggling to be just enough independent and just enough interactive with others to get some satisfaction. It includes trying to be a "perfect wife" in the 1960's, making a movie with a new husband on his small Polynesian island, and traveling to film festivals in places like Iran.

Jeannette Hereniko has over 30 years of experience in the Asia and Pacific film industry as a film festival director (Hawaii International Film Festival from 1981 to 1996 and Palm Springs International Film Festival in 1990), film producer (including award-winning feature film from USA/Fiji, THE LAND HAS EYES in 2004) and an online film distributor (President of Asia Pacific Films and Consultant, Alexander Street Press.) She spent her youth in Oregon, but has lived in Hawai'i 37 years where she raised three children, loves many grandsons, and is totally engrossed in a 16 year long marriage to Professor and filmmaker, Vilsoni Hereniko. One time in the islands she wrote and performed a one woman show called, "Wild Wisdom" that travelled to Oregon, California and Mexico.

Long-time friend and fellow Oregonian, Alice Anne Parker, introduced Jeanette by taking the above bio and adding personal anecdotes to illustrate how much more phenomenal Jeanette really is than her bio shows, and how she has helped many people in their careers with her gracious kindness and generosity.

Alice Anne Parker introducing Jeanette Paulson Hereniko

For the next hour Jeanette held us in thrall as she gave us a condensed version of her one-woman show, "Wild Wisdom." She had us in stitches talking about her first "non-date" date with Vili and brought us to tears with the stories of her mother and sister, her own fears, and finding unconditional love. It was a BIG story in a short time, delivered with such skill and beauty, that you could not not be moved. Naturally Jeanette received a standing ovation. Below are some pictures of her in action.