Dinner 2.0 with Kelly Hu
By Melissa
One of the notable things that set the Obama presidential campaign apart from other political campaigns in history was its use of social media--Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, blogs, and more. This is something that you will continue to see as an essential part of political campaigns from now on.
I was fortunate to experience part of this in Congressman Neil Abercrombie's campaign on Saturday. During his last campaign, his social media team came up with a concept called "Dinner 2.0," where a small group gathers with the candidate over an informal meal and talks story. It's unique because the dinner is broadcast live over the internet and promoted via chat and Twitter.
Social media experts Ian & Liane Kitajima and Burt Lum set up Dinner 2.0
It's not necessarily a conversation about politics, either--it's more of a chance for you to get to know the real person, their interests, and their hopes.
Kelly Hu at Dinner 2.0
Although Congressman Abercrombie couldn't make it to Saturday's Dinner 2.0, Hawaii-born actress Kelly Hu volunteered her time to be a part of this, as she is supporting his run for governor.
We started off talking a little about how she got involved in politics, the Obama campaign, and now the Abercrombie campaign. Basically, she was surprised to learn that Asian Americans are the least likely to vote, so she lent her support to her candidate--now President Obama--to help foster change in that community.
The neat thing, though, is how the conversation veered off so that we got to know her better. Did you know she attended Maemae School and entered the talent contest without planning her act? She dressed up and faked a tap dance of sorts. Did you know she was catapulted to stardom overnight? Winning the Miss Teen Hawaii USA pageant changed her life in one night. She also talked about the last movie she worked on, "The Tournament," which is hopefully going to be released this year.
Although I've met a few celebrities now, I'm still surprised at how someone with such noteriety was still quite the local girl inside, and easy to talk to. On the side, she told me about the kolohe antics that her brother Glenn and neighbor Collin Kaneshiro got into as kids. It was pretty cool to establish points of reference with her.
Burt Lum and Laurie Cicotello help Kelly set up her Twitter.
After the camera stopped rolling--since all the best Twitter-ers in Honolulu were in the room--we helped Kelly get set up on Twitter. If you want to follow her, her name is 33edge. Just to warn you, though, we didn't have time to teach her how to follow people or respond to @ replies!
Upon set up, she said, "Oh, no! Am I going to get addicted to Twitter?" By the end of the night, she had sent out five tweets, so ....
If you'd like to see more photos from Saturday, click here. If you'd like to experience another social media campaign event, log on to www.NeilAbercrombie.com tonight from about 5 to 8 p.m. There will be another live webcast, and Kelly will try to stop in!
p.s. Photos by Ed Morita
Urban Mix Plate
June 29th, 2009 at 6:48 am
hahaha, Look what you did. Hey Kelly, if you reading this. Melissa got me hooked too. Good thing I don't have an I-phone or for sure I don't get my work done.
Melissa, good report. No food? nah joke. Makes sense to use the social networking to get the word out.
June 29th, 2009 at 7:26 am
Good morning Melissa!
Two famous pake celebrities!
June 29th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Hi Melissa
Wow, das cool
NKHEA...don't know how twitter
June 29th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Hi guys, the food was just pizza, so nothing big to show! But you see....now you gotta learn how to Twitter! Well, M and NKHEA for now....we'll bring you over....hahahaha
June 29th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Kelly Hu - Woo Hu! (get it?)
Okay, now that you've introduced Kelly to Twitter, show her how to "follow" people. Me First.
Okay, you can be first Melissa. Me Second.
btw, do you know what's the significance of the 33Edge name?
*Was fun meeting up with you and Mari on Sat. at the bon dance. Thanks for introducing me to all the new tweeple.
June 29th, 2009 at 9:35 am
LOL notice how Kaeo is her first follower? He had his "follow" button ready to go as she set the account up. We already knew what her Twitter name would be.
June 29th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Melissa, for me to twitter, I think a new a new phone to do that.
June 29th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Actually, not really! The twitter addicts (like me) twitter by phone. I know a lot of people--like Lane Muraoka of Big City Diner--who only Twitter when they are in front of a computer.
June 29th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Melissa, that would work if I twitter by computer.
June 29th, 2009 at 10:34 am
wow - is kelly hu really that tall?
she's pretty even when she's making that goofy face in the last picture!
June 29th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Melissa, you gonna have to show me how to twitter using my computer.
June 29th, 2009 at 11:14 am
M, I twitter by computer. I no more da kine phone like the master Melissa.
June 29th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Melissa- that's awesome that Social Media is changing the way people percieve politics and whatnot... Congrats on getting Miss Hu to twitter... will def. have to follow her... And I promise I'll blog more too...
Aloha!
NEO
June 29th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Kelly Hu! cool!
haha! love that "yikes" pic.
y'know......i recall meeting her once before.....a whiles back. her mom used to work on the same office floor as me......and she brought her around a few times. i think she was just getting into acting at the time. talk about being all gaga.
heh
oh boy! you folks just haaaad to mention that peeps twitter from their comps too.
Ynaku - what? FB not enough for you?
June 29th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
opso
June 29th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
She MADE me do it
July 9th, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Since my daughter is in LA and trying to become an actress, is there anyway Kelly Hu would be willing to chat with her about tips for networking? I think we're related like cousins of cousins BTW. She's beautiful and I admire the fact that she has made it in such a tough business. Saw her recently on Army Wives.