 of think tech Hawaii in downtown Honolulu and my home office in Makiki. Today, we have Devin Nakasone of prayers on wings, POW Powell, sharing his heart and his life experience with us. His mission statement is that no child should feel alone. Aloha and welcome Devin Nakasone. But before we get started, please share a little bit about yourself. Aloha Wendy, how are you? Of course you said my name is Devin Nakasone. Thank you for having me. A little about myself. Well, I'm a state worker, maintenance worker by day, entertainer by weekend, and a bunch of other stuff in between. I guess we'll have time to talk about it in the next half an hour or so. That's just a little bit about myself. So that's a pretty balanced life I would say. I know you do a lot of community service, but you need to get income so you work for the state and then you do your passion, which is entertain and we're going to talk all about that. But I know you also wrote a book, so you're an author. The book is called Lucky Duckie. So please tell us the story around that title. Lucky Duckie is a children's book. And the children's book is a true story about a little boy at the age of 11 being diagnosed with leukemia. And the struggles in the book, I mean, there's so many struggles of being a patient of chemotherapy and cancer, but the struggle in the book is about not having enough communication. And that story is about myself being diagnosed at the age of 11, all the way back to, should I say it, 1984. Hey, what a survivor. That's the way I look at it, Devin. Yes. So that book is, well, was never my plan to be an author, but it is my book and we use that. We did that as a tool for outreaching to children and families in crisis. That's what that book is about. Wow, and I'm sure that was the part of the journey. I mean, I'm sure God gave you that life and he expected you to write that book and put it into perspective. And I'm sure it must help a lot of families who are going through what you experienced and not only the families, but the patient, which you were and which you were writing about. And so that's the part that I think is quite important because it's the patient writing about the journey which you did. So we're gonna get more into that, but how did your prayers on wings, how did you come about making the logo for this organization? Well, so why the duck, right? Everyone wants to know why the duck. And the reason why the duck is because as a cancer patient and being an only child, my best friend, because I was taken out of school, believe it or not, the one thing that brought me comfort at the age of 11 was a little rubber ducky. And a little rubber ducky, I clearly remember back to 1984, first being diagnosed and my mother taking me to the store to buy whatever we needed, thermometer, this, this and whatever we needed. And on the shelf was a rubber ducky. And I told her, I still remember, I told her, mom, can I have that? Can I have that? And she said, yes, of course, right? So that became my best friend. So yeah, so that, so that ducky, you know, the first years, the company, the first years, that was the rubber ducky, an actual first year's rubber ducky. And they squeaked and everything. And they had a special bed and it had a blanket which was actually a hand towel, but it had a blanket and I would take it everywhere with me. Yeah. You could even take it into the shower with you, right? With the shower, I would sing to it, I would talk to it. It was literally my best friend, but it was a hidden best friend. Right. I would talk to it in secret and cry to it in secret. But that's why the logo. Wow, and that is so key, especially for young men, young boys, you know, at 11, they might be like, oh, I wanna talk to someone, something, but, you know, they may think, oh, I can't have a rubber ducky, but it is okay, guys, it's okay. As long as you talk to someone, something, something even of higher power, but you had the duck. And that's how, you know, it got you through it. Still, however old you are till today, you still remember that duck and how it was there for you. That is so very, very powerful, right? And then the prayers on wings, so the ducks, they have wings. So it just makes so much sense now that you look at it. There's so much tie-in that you can use, right? Yes, yes, we do. It's funny. So, you know, with the duck, we have things that we see on the side, which is ducks flock together, you know, which is what we do as a team and as a community, you know? And then we tackle Christ as one feather at a time, you know, so everything is tied into the duck, right? To the ducks. And I mean, it's gotten to the point where I don't eat duck anymore. Boy, that's serious, Devin, that's serious. You're all my friends, you know, the real ones. Yes, wow. I love it. I never, I didn't hear that other one you just said. We tackle one feather at a time. Yeah. That is so cool. And that's exactly when a child is going through a disease and experience, you take one step at a time, you handle one feather at a time. Yes, yes, very much so. A lot of symbolism there, I love it. So I know I have a photo of you and in this photo you have an award in your hand. So tell us about, what is this, what is this photo about? That photo is the, it's an eight pound trophy that is known as the 10 Outstanding Young Americans Award. Wow. So that is presented by the United States. JC's and how that award came about was the Hawaii JC's. They were watching me since we started our journey with POW or prayers on wings. And it was from a good neighbor column in the midweek that got their attention. So from there, they were watching us grow. And next thing I know, I got a call and it was the local award, which was first, which was called the Three Outstanding Young Persons. So winning that, being one of the three, my name gets submitted to the national level. So that award you see me holding is the national level award. So every year there's 10 young men or women so under 30 award, or under 40 awards, sorry, that is presented every year. So 10 awardees per year for 50 states. Yes. One out of 50. So, whoa, Devin. Yeah, so. No. So it was something that was not, I didn't know there was an award. Such as this, the really cool thing, the really cool thing, Wendy, is that that award is also who is also a recipient of that award is Elvis Presley. Oh my God. And if you go to Graceland in his home, there's a room that is dedicated to just that award, the tuxedo he wore, everything, the award itself is, you get a pin. I think at that time they got a medal back in that day. And if you search Elvis Presley out of all the concerts, out of movies, all the awards that he's been in, that was his, he states it as his most nerve-wracking moment in his life too. Wow, well congratulations Devin, congratulations. Can you just give me the title of that award again? Yes, it's called a Toya, or also known as a 10 Outstanding Young American Award. Oh wow, congratulations, job well done. So where did this all happen? Where did you receive that award? That award was received in Seattle. In Seattle. And so it was a big whoop-de-doo because all 10 of you gathered there to receive this award. And I'm sure, was it a surprise or did you go up knowing you won that already? Oh, I went up there, I went up there knowing that I won. Okay. If there is time, I'd love to share the story of when it was told to me that I won the award. But yes, so it was, it was a call during lunch break, I was on the state clock, I was on lunch, in case my bosses are watching. I was on lunch, I got a call, it was April 3rd that I got a call that I would be receiving this award and they were asking me if I could fly to Seattle. But it was very meaningful in April 3rd because April 3rd is the day that I became sober from crystal meth. I was already crying and thanking God that I was either he blessed me again. Yes. And then here I got a call from Seattle saying that they wanna fly me up for this award because I was chosen. Wow. See how it all works? I mean, everything and you have to, you have to be able to see the story behind everything we do in life, you know? And so that's the brilliance in you and your life is that things happen, it doesn't just happen that there was a duck on the shelf. There was a reason and you needed to see the symbolism behind that duck and you continue using it. And yet the duck also for kids, for adults, it's a comfort animal, it's cute, it's squeaks, it's loving, it's everything, right? So as you found every meaning of it and then also the April 3rd date, I mean, what are the chances, right? That it's the day that you celebrate your sobriety, your new journey in life and now you're being honored and rewarded as well to just empower you to continue to do as great as you are. Can't turn back, right? Yeah, can't you? You got it in your hands. You're gonna have it in your hands. Eight pounds of glory right there physically in your hand. So wow. So I know the prayers on wings, I'm sure it's not a big organization, but tell me about it. How large is the prayer on wings community? You know, prayers on wings is where, I'd like to say grassroots. We've worked with, I think the correct question would be who haven't we worked with locally? So everyone that we've, the team that knows in their head, we've reached out to them somehow some way. And we've done whether it's keynote speaking, whether it's workshops, whether it's whatever it's getting into even community service, we've done as much as we could over the past years. So this organization that we started back in, technically we started 2012, but became a 501 C3 in 2013. We've actually done a lot. Of course I had to go back home. And I think we've touched every nonprofit that is based out of cup of learning whether it's in children's hospital. That was my home back in the day. Still is my home. And then from there, we also worked with at risk teams, big brothers, big sisters, kind of a youth build. I believe I gave a keynote speech at the graduation for the year that we were there. We worked with for Billatat. That is actually my family. So I do talks over there. Also, of course we do music over there as well when we have the opportunity. But there's so many organizations that we've worked with that make a wish. I mean, it's been amazing. And of course the amazing Hava EJCs who actually took prayers and rings to that next level. Wow, they sure did because they gave you that eight pound honor. So, you know, and not just in statewide, it was nationwide. And so that sure power lifted you to another level. But just real quick, what are just, Ness, name me some of the projects that you are created, you have created. Well, we, of course we do our communication project. That is our main goal because that is our mission statement, building bridges of communication. So constantly to find projects that will have the child and family bond together. Constantly working to have that. And also so that the child does not feel a little more important. We've done other projects expanded in prayers and wings where we did the duckling giving projects to where the child can pick a charity of their choice where they can become young entrepreneurs and develop a mission statement of why they have chosen a certain charity and do their own outreach. And we're just there to support them. Yes, mentor them and so you're mentoring them. Right, so they can become big humanitarians themselves. Yes, because they have a journey and a story. They need to be the voice as well. And the dynamics behind, just like what you had, what you experienced, right? So Devin, I know that you are very passionate about prayers on wings from the beginning of our friendship. You spoke to me about all this and I loved it. But I often see you around town at great events, performing or MCing. So that's why now I get the story. The last time I saw you the other night, you were at the JC's banquet. And that's the tie in why you were there not just an entertainer or an MC, but because of the commitment to that organization of what they did with you for you and what you give back to them. So I get it now. Okay, so I know that I'll be able to see you at more of their events because I often support especially the Chinese JC's but congratulations for continuing to keep that commitment to that organization. Thank you, thank you. Yes, and so I know with your passion for prayers on wings, for the passion of music, please share with us, how do you make both of that work together to benefit so many? You know, over the years of doing music because Hawaii is so aloha, so tight and we always come together for whatever reason even just to have lunch, right? So you throw music in there. That's another thing. And when you think about all the struggles that we have in Hawaii, just living on an island, there's so many, there's so much need for fundraisers and more so the importance of what we're fundraising for. So music has come into play with prayers on wings also where we actually started the prayers on wings jam bet to where it's comprised of 120 plus musicians to where if there is ever a need for music or entertainment that we have a roster that we can put together a band in case the band that you wanted a book can't make it. But if we can get the singer from the band that you originally wanted to book for your fundraiser, we can get a bass player, we can get this, we can get that and we can still make that fundraiser a success. So that's where the prayers on wings jam band was created. And you're talking big names, Wendy, you know, I'm seeing, I'm seeing, you know, and all of that, you know, Hapa and I mean, it's crazy, but it's a joint venture for a great cause or great causes. So, and we, you know, that's genius, that's totally genius. Yeah. So I love it. That's been a fun ride. That's been a fun ride. All these bands get together and, you know, every nonprofit has some kind of barbecue or has some kind of picnic and they get the families together. We just, we just call the bands and supply the electric. I got a sound man that will come and then, you know, you've got a full functioning copy fundraiser, you know. And you know what? It bonds all of you musicians as well. It's not just Devin and company playing at every one of these events, but you're giving them the opportunity to do that as well. But some, like you said, maybe they may not have all the components that can come out. So that is a genius concept. And you know, you're talking about fundraiser queen right here cause I sit on 12 nonprofits. And yes, they do a lot of, we need a lot of you and entertainment just to make that, that our audience feel just more at ease and welcomed. But what is your vision? I really want to get onto this. What is your vision for prayers on wings? Well, you know, after going through back and forth so many just narrowing things down, we really narrowed it down to no child should feel alone. That is really, when you think of the word alone, that would best describe everything that I felt as a cancer patient receiving chemo for four and a half years as a 10 year drug addict right after receiving chemo. It was always alone. And the child in me, no matter what age I became or how old I ever got, that alone had never left. And surviving cancer was enough. Surviving drugs was even more than enough. And I was so blessed to just be able to live through one day but I got to live how many years after. And that alone, it was another miracle that I never took my own life because I was suicidal. And I'm not a lot of kids will be that blessed. So that's where that outreach of why we go into the hospitals, why we go and talk to the families together so that they can bond because this was once upon a time that and so we go in there with no walls, with no reservations and we share. And we share humbly that maybe that someone might be feeling this way. And you know, just that word alone is such a sad word. And even not going through any kind of health issue or addiction alone, even for anyone, it's a bad word, it's a hard word. But alone and going through an ailment or a disease or an issue, it is. I mean, I could understand totally where suicide would be the next word to alone, right? Because there's no one and you're alone, there's no one to turn to. So the fact that you're going in to not just talk to the parents about helping the child or the patient during that moment when they're alone. See, when they're together, the child could be anything. But once the parent leaves the room, you would know, Devin, you would know. And the child knows how alone alone feels. And it's not, it's dark, it's not a good place. Yes, that's absolutely correct. There were so many moments. My mom worked so hard to become, literally she was, she became the best nurse with just one patient. And we had all the medication up. And I don't know how many times I would go in a room and I would pour all my medication in my hand and walk out and just wanting to just take everything and not wake up the next day. Before doing that, I would look at my mom, my dad sleeping. I couldn't do it. I couldn't do it because I knew how hard they worked that day and the day before and the day before just to keep me alive. Yeah. And I had to put it back very quietly. But there were so many times that I just wanted to end it, but of course I didn't. I could totally see that. And you know, you had a journey, a mission to accomplish but and you found that mission. I mean, truly the ducting place into your world but imagine all the children and all the patients that don't have or they couldn't see the mission and they just give it up. So that's why somebody like you going through it and being able to communicate this with the parents and reaching their hearts to just tell them that this is real and you experienced it so that they have a better education and understanding approach to guide their child through these darkness, these dark times. But it's truly dark, I can understand. Yeah. So I know that you offer workshops for families in crisis. Can you tell us a little bit about these workshops? Yeah, you know, this is, you know, we started out with paint your own ducts projects where families would paint ducts for each other. The ducts would symbolize a promise that they would exchange the ducts after painting it and they would place it somewhere in their house where they would always go to, whether it be in the kitchen or by their toothbrush, somewhere that they would always go. And that duct would bring them, will bring them back to the day that they painted it. More importantly, the promise that they made that they will always have open communication that they will never be busy in the day to say, I love you, never busy in the day to ask, how was your day? In return, the child will always know that they can rely on mom and dad and talk to them. And not a rubber duck, but their parents. And if not their parents, their teachers, not their teachers and their auntie, their brother, their sister, just not alone. That was the first workshop we put together. Because the duct became, the painting project became a little destructive, we launched the book, turned it into a coloring book where everybody started coloring. But more importantly, reading the story to the families of how important communications. So how does one get those books at this point? I mean, like if I know someone going through this, how do we refer them to your website? Unfortunately, we just lost our executive director and everything, she did everything. And she was really the heart of prayers and winks. But Charlene has passed and these books, what she was in the middle of turning it into a local publication because it was nationally published. We got it back and to answer your question, there really is no way to get the book. I believe you can do the free download if you look it up online, it's free for download. But the best thing is my schedule will be free for anyone, organization that never wants to hear the book. I can, I will be happy to read it to them in person. So, but until we figure that part out, Wendy, of course I will let you know. All right, well, I'm hoping then whoever can, or is hearing your voice and the hearing the need and they have those skills, it will give them a purpose to partner with you and put that together and have even maybe a second edition or even update it so that it can be used because as is so critical, especially in these times where these children are suffering and alone and it should not be. And it's the parents, like you said, your mom, she works so hard, they work so hard and just trying to survive and the medical bills and just putting food on. I mean, you were a single child, but some families have more than one, so they're needing help and they need the voice and the story and the love and the compassion that you have in that book to share with them so that they can get through these times. So let us help you to see if there's someone out there that can take over and continue or sharding their top and get more heart back into the prayers on wings. All right, Devin? I will take you up on that. Okay, so we're gonna try our best and as I said, we'll post it and we'll look, we're on the look for that. So anybody that can help has those skills, please, please, please, please, just let us know and Devin is going to receive your call and he'll come and read the book to you and then you guys figure it out, all right? Thank you. So Devin, for now we've run out of time and I knew we would, but I just wanna say mahalo to you Devin Acasone of prayers on wings an organization that is so needed to assist our Kiki as they heal and better their communication skills. I'm Wendy Lowe and we'll see you back here in two weeks with another edition of Taking Your Health Back. Aloha and mahalo Devin Acasone. Thank you so much, Wendy. Thank you.