 I'm Wendy Loh, and I'm excited to journey with you as we learn to take your health back. Streaming live from the studios of Tinkta, Kauai in downtown Honolulu and from my home office in Makiki. Today, we will be talking story with Joe Ho, owner and CEO of Mystical Sounds and A Long Time Friend. Let's welcome Joe Ho. Aloha Joe. Hey Wendy, how are you doing? I'm great, thank you and thank you for being here. We actually share the same last name. My name and name is Ho as well. Who knows, we probably are related, right? Way back in the days and you know, our last name is very famous during December time. You know, everybody say Ho Ho Ho, you know that, right? Yeah, three times, right? So we are very famous no matter what and there's so many jokes around that name. It's funny and I love that last name. So when I got married, I married a guy and his last name was Loh, we just added the L. So I'm still known as Wendy Ho or WHO is Ho. So I won't even go into those details on that. The past, the past is the past. So Joe, you know when I was digging through your files and things, I tried to find photos of you when you were a kid but I couldn't find any. So I found one with you climbing the Great Wall of China. So let's start with that and just tell us a little bit about yourself and your roots. Yeah, I was born in Hong Kong and then my parents immigrated to Hawaii because of economics and they figured it might be better for myself. And here I am and luckily it turned out to be okay. Yeah, it turned out to be really well. If you didn't tell me, you sound like a local boy so you are Kamaena, right? I hope so. I went to elementary school here and I went to intermediate school at Kamauke and then I went to Kalani High School, graduated from there and then UH. And what year was that? Let me see. Now you want me to show my age. You know why? Because even if you said it, we wouldn't believe it because Asians age well. Let's just put it that way. I'll buy you lunch tomorrow. Very good. So I know you came from Hong Kong and you came to Hawaii but I know you must have done a lot of traveling in your time. Tell us, where is the most fabulous trip that you've taken up to date? You know, some of my highlight I would say is Russia and also Paris. I love those cities. I mean, it has so much antiques and history and when I went there, I just felt like, with Russia I felt like 1950 New York and with Paris it's just the city of light. It's lights everywhere. That's what I do so I love it. Right. Wow. So, you know, getting into that, so share with us a little bit about your business, mystical sounds. How did you come up with that name? So when I was going through all the different names, I had to think of something that I thought was unique. And then, so it took me a while and then the original name was Magical Sound with my ex-partner. So a little advice, never go into business with your best friends. Yes. Everyone says that. After that scenario, I had to, we broke up and then I have to think of a different name because he said to me I could not use Magical Sounds. So tell me a weekend I came up with Mystical Sounds and the rest is history. Wow, it sure is. And so, and what year did you start Mystical Sounds? Back in 1985. And one of our course events was for Iolani High School, that's in your prom. Wow, so you were attending the prom as well at the same time? Yeah. At that time it was really just trying to do anything we can get. It was like, can we please have your business? So we were doing amazing setup. I remember was doing this UH Dorm Dance, we gave them everything. Music, video, sound, lighting, special effect for only $150. Just enough for us to cover our meals. Right, but that's what we do, right? As business people, in the beginning, you have to give it away, get your name out there and then people can see what you do and your integrity and your reputation. And you know what, that one, it wasn't a free gig for you or you didn't give away anything free because Lord knows that's advertising and you knew exactly what to do and how to do it even back then. And thus the longevity of your professional career. So that's amazing. And you know. Exactly right. You know, since I'm Chinese, right? So I can't get everything away. So I can at least get some dinner money and get my crew some dinner money. We did it. Amazing. So you know, I don't know if you remember doing my daughter Angela Lowe's photo booth for her grad night, but that was an amazing night and I was just wondering, do you still offer those kinds of photo booths and fun opportunities at your functions? Yeah, actually, we are a one-stop shop. So we still do the photo booth. And with the photo booth, what we like to do is put the client, their logos or the image they want, the theme they want, because we set up a green screen. So this way, and we show the client the ending results before they actually get it. So they just like no complaint, 100%. Wow. I think satisfaction because they viewed it beforehand, right? Yes. Perfect, great marketing. So back in the day, I know when you got started, I know you did proms and things. I know you did weddings. So weddings must have been a really big part of your business. What percentage of your business would you say would have been with weddings back then? I say about maybe 60% and then the rest is mostly wedding convention and special events. Wow. And I know that weddings are very difficult. I mean, it could be very difficult trying to please that bride and the groom, mostly the bride. And then after all that hard work with everything in pictures and the experiences, I know all of them have just great fond memories that you've helped to create. And I know you have a lot of great experiences with that, right? So it's funny you say that. We like to meet with the couple. I like to meet with them personally ahead of time. And I always tell the couple, no matter what, Murphy's Law, anything can go wrong. But as long as you two are happy and I'm sure you show that you're happy that night. And like you say, it's so funny. It's like, usually the groom never gets mad. You know, we got to work on the prize zela. That's a word for that, right? So with that said, I just tell the groom, you pay the bill and just say yes. He will be happy and everybody will be happy. Everything will fall in place. Wow, you've been doing it a long time. It sounds like you're such a professional and the marketer, but you're absolutely right. Make him understand and just say yes, dear. And then long running in the photos and the memories will tell the rest. But now that we're two plus years into COVID, have you noticed a return on the wedding business yet? Or is it too soon to tell? You know, we're shut down for almost two and a half years. And then this past December, we open up. I mean, people are hungry to do event and weddings and just all kind of private event. So, you know, we're doing really good, super busy. And then Omar can't hit. And he's like, here we go again. It's felt like a one of the pandemic. Everything starts to shut down again. So, you know, it's just, I don't know. That's what we have to go through as a service industry. Right. I mean, not just you, Joe, all the restaurants, all the businesses. I mean, it's like a yo-yo effect. You know, like they don't know if they're coming or going, it's a roller coaster. They're going up and down. And I just wonder sometime, how much can we endure? And so, being that I'm retired, I try to support as many businesses as I can by volunteering and just showing up to help, you know, them get through these bumps. And so, if ever you need any help, my model or my slogan is, I'll work for free, just feed me. So, I go wherever. I can't wait to sit out of the air. I'm committed. And you know, I do a lot. I mean, like I'm telling you 12-hour shifts, it doesn't matter. You just feed me and I'll make your business and whatever you need work, because I understand how it is and I understand how tough it is at this moment. Running a business for 20 plus years. Yeah, I'm not in any of that, but I'm there to support in any way I can. And that comes from my heart. So, just know that if you need someone to carry the bags or just be there, you can call me. I'm the best price you're gonna get ever. Thank you very much. And you know, we just had a small event with OWA organization, which is the Oahu Waiting Association. And all the vendors there was in the same boat. And I tell everybody, I say, you know, if we can survive this pandemic, we can survive anything. This will probably be one of the hardest thing for any business industry to survive. Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. And we must stand together to support each other in any way. And that's good encouragement, especially coming from one business owner to another. Just continue to stand by each other's side, right? So I know that you must offer and you offered many times, you said conferences, the setups as well. And I'm sure that that was a great part of your business. How is it, you know, I mean, like Omicron is here now, but did you start getting conferences being booked up and then you'd have to cancel them or are some of them still continuing on? So we had event that I was scheduled for January and February. In fact, we had a big New Year's Eve event in Waikiki would have been one of the biggest New Year's Eve event that we planned for with a hotel, Waikiki Marriott. But because Omicron came and we had to cancel. And that's just one of the events that we had to cancel due to Omicron. Oh, yeah, and I'm sure there must be so many. I mean, every business has those stories. And like you said, though, we'll take those, we'll put them on the side and we'll move forward and stay as hopeful and as positive as we can to get through these times because we know it's not over yet and we're just gonna pray for it to be over soon, right? Stay focused, stay positive. The way I look at it is this, after two and a half years, I learned we need to move on, you know? And without business, we don't pay our taxes, the state kind of function is that simple, you know? So with that said, I just wish everybody out there, they all have the news, I respect everybody's opinions, but we have to support local business because we are an island, we don't have too much industry that produce product that goes out. So whenever we have event, we have convention come to town, we just have to make sure everyone is safe, but we have to move on. Yes, good attitude. And I'm sure that that greatness is contagious. So we stand together as island people and support local. That's the main thing, right? We earned that all along, but now we have to live it. We have to live and breathe it daily. So we'll continue that model. You know, I know that you also offered a wide arrangement of options in your business. So I know you have a lot of presentation equipment, like the big screens and the visuals and all that. Tell us about that, that, you know, let's talk about the positive of what you have and what people can look forward to when they use you in the future events, what other services can you offer? You know, when this is your interview, I'm going to give you first crack as something brand new that you're the second person that knows this in the state of Hawaii. So we are bringing into brand new LED wall to the state of Hawaii. And because the product is so new, the manufacturers told me that it's a brand new product from the manufacturer themselves. And it's a brand new LED wall for outside, inside, and also curve. And the resolution is going to be really high. It's probably going to be the highest resolution LED wall in the state when you get in. Wow. Wow, I can't wait to see it. And if you ever want to have an exhibition and you need opinions and critiques, and of course again, give us that call and we'll be there to support it and guide you along the way. But I'm excited to see that. You're always cutting edge, Joe. I'm so excited for you. And what that brings to our events upcoming. So keep it up and keep letting people know so that they can go ahead and start preparing and using you in mind so that when we open up again, you have all the facilities and options for them to make their event the best as we come back, right? My job is try to make it a one-stop shop. Because I've been doing this for a while and we've done over 6,500 event. So I have a lot of technical and event knowledge. So a lot of people say, oh, you should be my wedding planner or event planner. But I'm so busy as it is to plan each event to make sure everything goes well. So I say to myself, you know, if you hire us, we do our best to make sure your event go well. Yep, and you know, in the day, being that in the past, all the board work that I've done, all the times I come to events, you know, we do the backside and then arranging and organizing. And then of course, you're for hire and come and you set it up. And I just, we'd be on the same ballroom, but you'd be just buzzing away, making sure perfection is received and acquired as we take care of the tables and the registrations and all that. But I've worked side-by-side with you many times and I just admire your integrity from day one and still till today and forth. So COVID or not, I know that you are there to support the best interests of all your clients. So continue your level of integrity, Joe. I've always admired that. And you know what? I always tell our client, when you work with professionals, your job is just relax and let us do the stress for you. And I work with you like you say many times, Wendy, how many times do we go down to a setup where something can go wrong and maybe a few times and it's our job to go in and solve the problem and we just tell the client, nothing is happening in the meantime. What do we do? Yeah, I know. And you, I mean, you troubleshoot, you troublesolve and I know that's the fun part as well. Sometimes when everything goes smooth, it's great, but we sometimes we like those challenges and those bumps, right? I mean, you've got to admit it because then it pushes us to be more diverse and flexible. So I know that we have the same level of how do we attack and approach the situation and pulling out perfection always is the end result. And you hit the right spot, Wendy, because like every time when a job goes smooth, I say, wow, that was easy, but every time when something goes wrong, and I'm all like, okay, let's try to think how we can solve the problem. And then you use Murphy's law. They don't just come in one, they come in like three or four. I'm all like, okay, what's next, what's next? Let's go, let's go. Never ask that one, never ask what's next. But you know, in the midst of the pandemic, I know that you came out with a heartwarming way to express aloha. And I know that you receive so much media coverage for this one project. And there may be more, but I know of one very clearly because I stay right next door. And when I look out my window, I see that image on that building. So tell us about the spirit of aloha that you shared throughout COVID in Waikiki. It was during the prime of the pandemic and the general manager of the Marriott Waikiki, Thomas gave me a call and said, Joe, it's not too often we have an empty building. Okay, can we do something with this? I said, sure, what do you want to do? And then so he came up with the idea and then we worked with his engineer Christopher and then they draw everything up. And the next thing you know, we spent almost four days and put this up and it was amazing. I think we're one of the first to do it. And then my friend who worked for MGM in Las Vegas, he saw my posting on Facebook and he said, oh, Joe, that's such a great idea. So they start doing the same thing in Las Vegas. And once Las Vegas does it, that's it, the whole world starts to do the same thing and it went viral all over the world. Wow, I really enjoyed seeing that. I mean, I was sad that the rooms are all darkened. Like you said, the buildings in Waikiki were dark, but you gave us hope when we were in Waikiki and it made us all smile to see that image on that building. And yeah, even still to today when I see it, it just makes me have goosebumps because it was such a valuable message to all of us in that darkness and exactly what it was, darkness. That result, I mean, it took a lot of planning and I'm so glad at that time, my crew went to work for three because I wasn't getting no money from it, you know? And then so to make it perfect, we actually have to do it at night so we can see the room from the outside and we have to drive around the blocks many, many times. Aim the light to move the chairs inside the room so it doesn't block the light on the window. We have to take off the curtain. We have to move the bed. We have to move the tables. And then so to get the final picture to show what we've done, we've never done this before. So I knew it was gonna be full moon at night. So, but I don't know what time the moon's gonna be in front of the building. So we was up until 4.37 in the morning. That's when the moon was perfect without clouds covering the moon so we can get the perfect shot. Wow, wow. I didn't know all that went into it but of course that's all behind the scenes but all your energy and man hours really paid off. As I said, it's an image, eerie image but yet a image of hope and it just reflected exactly. It was in the sea of darkness that love and aloha still shined. And it was just touching. Whenever I see that photo right there, it's always going to be a good feeling for us. And I stay right at the posture tower so we were looking straight into that. And it was just beautiful. I told everybody, that my friend, my friend did that, my friend did that. I was so proud of you, Joanne. And of course I saw it on Facebook so I knew you were responsible for that. Yeah, they don't care about your friend. They just wanna look at the picture, the final result. But I wanted to make sure that my friend, I knew the guy who engineered that and I was very proud is what I'm trying to say. Thank you, thank you. So I just wanna ask you, can you share with us, how did you personally stay healthy within the last two years? So it's very difficult. I mean, the first, I would say six to eight months, I was just like everyone else stuck at home and being such an active person, both you and I know that it's very difficult to keep us at home. So it's like boom, push-ups, it's like taking what else I can do, what can I do to put my energy back in my company so I was doing a lot of repair work and just try to see what is new out there I can bring to Hawaii, do a lot of research just to keep my mind going, you know, when I'm going crazy. Right. And of all people, I mean like for myself, it was tough and I let myself go a little bit but in your line of business, I know your professional life is mystical sounds and I know that you also have another side kick or another side passion. And for that, that's why I'm asking you, how did you stay in shape and stay healthy because you have another part of your life that's in front of the camera instead of just behind. So I wanna talk about that past it in your life. We know that you've always been involved in entertainment. So that means you must be around many celebrities. I have a photo, I grabbed the photo of you and Grace Park. So tell us about this photo because I understand you've been in many different movies and episodes of different sitcoms and shows. Tell us about this one with Grace Park. So that was for, I think it was Hawaii 50 when they finished with the shooting, that was a wrap party that I was at and she was there and then I say, Grace, can I take a picture? She goes, yeah, sure. And then later on my friend asked me and said, hey, Grace need a parking space for one of her vehicle. And he knew I have an empty space. So Grace was parking her vehicle at my apartment at the time, but I didn't tell anybody about it. So no one knows it's Grace Park, you know, that park, her vehicle at my building at the time. Yeah, might've started some rumors. So that was wise of you, Joe. I guess we can keep a secret if we have to, right? So yeah, okay. And then on top of doing Hawaii 50, I have to admit, you know, the film and TV industry kind of kept me going too because when everything was shut down, there were one of the few business that kept going, which is great for Hawaii economy doing that time. So, you know, like I was really appreciated that I can at least get out of my house and work on that. It's in the same, but a little bit different field. So I really enjoy it. Yes, and to get paid for it and then yet have an opportunity to just schmooze with that facet of life, the entertainment industry, phenomenal. And I'm sure that it helped to keep your spirits alive and up in a dark time. So you were blessed, we were blessed to have that opportunity, Joe, about how many episodes do you think you were on with Hawaii 50? You know what, I didn't even keep track of it. I just done it at some point. It's just, yeah, sometimes I, you know, watching the reruns and I said, hey, I totally forgot I was on that. That's even better. You're not even able to count. And I know you've been on Magnum PI. Have you been on Magnum? Yeah, in fact, I was just on Magnum PI yesterday. Oh, wow. So you're still actively doing all of that, but which is good, right? Because it keeps you positively motivated and excited and keeping that body in shape, right? I like to keep myself busy. So most of this film and tree production is during the weekdays when my company is not that busy, which is perfect, as my company is mostly really busy on the weekend. Yes. And then so with the two just go hands in hand together. And they are very accommodating. So they say if you cannot make it on the weekdays, we call you for the next one, which is perfect. Perfect. Also free food. Yeah. See here, you have the same heart. Must be our last family name. Just feed us and we'll be smiling for you. So as I looked on your website, you have hundreds of photos with so many celebrities and namesakes. I wanted you to tell us about, I pulled out a picture of you and Kelly Hu. I wanted to know is she still a local girl at heart? You know what, first of all, I want to apologize to your viewers. I hope they're not going to blind it, my white scheme, okay? So yeah, so you know, she was super down to earth. And you know, when I met her, I said, hey, I know you since you was like 15 years old, you know? And then she met so many people. She doesn't remember who I am. Anyway, she was like so good, gracious. And she said, yeah, you know, and we were just talking story about, because I know her brother really well. I actually come over her brother, like, you know, before I even knew her, we used to be in JA together. So he was one of my best friend at that time. Wow. So I found another photo with you and my favorite person, Jackie Chan. How was it working with Jackie? You know, Jackie is really funny, okay? So when I was working with him on Rush Hour 2, this was filmed in Las Vegas. And then so I say, what do you, what's your thought about filming in America versus filming in Asia? So I remember this one line he told me. He said, in America, you got 10 people doing one job in Asia. You got one person doing 10 jobs and a lot cheaper. Well, that's a true Chinese, right? He knows the numbers. So wow. You know, I was with Jackie Chan. It was a blessing and a dream come true. I held the position of being Jackie Chan's treasure for the Jackie Chan United States of America Foundation. And Dr. Laurence was our president. But it was a dream job because I would go and when he was in the U.S., I would follow him and he would write me or write checks to the USA Foundation. And I knew, I know that a few times I brought back checks to Hawaii and he donated like thousands, hundreds of thousands of dollars to different organizations here in Hawaii. So he's a very kind and generous man. I just love his spirit and his heart and all the success to him. So, you know, I wanted to come back again to that, the heart on the building. I truly, you have no idea, I love that message that was created on the Waikiki Marriott. So I wanted to end our talk with that and just tell, you know, I know you want, I want you to just share with our audience, you know, and continue to encourage them to all work together to make Hawaii and our businesses great again. So leave us but a few words in that direction, Joe. I really hope that everyone support local business, you know, because the bottom line is everyone, local business-wise, they pay taxes, you know, it's like circle. We all help each other, you know? Yes. And with our local business, basically, you know, Hawaii would be just very hard to survive. We don't have any too much industry. We don't have too much manufacturing, you know, industry. So support local, whatever we do, right? You've actually really put the money back into our workers here, our economies here. Yes, yes. So Joe, you know, our time for now has come to an end. You've been watching Taking Your Health Back on ThinkTekhavaii. Mahalo, Joe, from Mystical Sounds for Talking Story with us and for making our events a bit more cutting-edge and with heart. Mahalo's to you and we're so proud of you. I'm Wendy Lowe. We'll be back in two weeks and we'll see you then. Aloha and Mahalo, Joe. Thank you.