Molokai in Business: Visual Resource Media

Community Contributed

By Jeannine Rossa

The Molokai in Business series focuses on local businesses, both old and new.  It is our way of helping you get to know your local businesses.  Our intent is to support our local businesses, help people who want to start a business, and tell a good story.

What: Visual Resonance Media, a professional video production, media consulting, and website design business
Who: Daniel Emhoff
When: By appointment
Where: Will travel to you
How:  808-553-8125; vrm@consultant.com; visualresonancemedia.com

We all know Daniel Emhoff as the Director of Akaku Community Television’s Molokai Media Center, where he teaches classes in videography and editing, and films community events for Akaku Public Television.  But what you may not know is that Daniel also runs his own business on the weekends:  Visual Resonance Media.

Question: What do you do and how long have you been doing it?
Answer:  I am a one-person video production company. I can do all the filming and editing for weddings and events, including sports.  News channels call me for stories.  I also do website design, and can assist businesses and nonprofits with any type of media work including public relations copy.  Right now, I’m finishing up a music video for a Maui band called Chala currently on the radio.

Q:  How long have you lived on Molokai?
A: I moved over here in 2004 to work at Akaku.  I’ve been here ever since.  Before moving to Molokai, I grew up in California, Colorado, and Brazil (my mom is Brazilian).

Q: What training or education did you need?
A:  I went to college I have a degree in Political Science, and minors in Peace Studies and English.  But it’s [my work that has] been an amazing learning experience.  Starting as a part-timer at Akaku, I learned the basics, and then it’s just mushroomed from there.  In today’s world, you don’t have to go to college.  If you are willing to put in the time and energy, anything you need is on line and more.  We live in an age where we can be our own universities.

Q: How did you launch your business?
A:   I never actually launched it. I got the business license, and the next thing you know, people were asking “Can I hire you personally?”  I have never done any advertising except for a small ad in the Molokai List.

Q:  What are your goals?
A:  I would like to be known throughout the state as a music and wedding video producer and documentary filmmaker.  My goal is to make productions that continue to resonate in the mind’s eye long after it has been watched.  I am always looking for new avenues and new pathways to reach my goals.  I have a long ways to go, but I’m excited.  I always look for what’s coming out, like new cameras, or new techniques for filming or editing.

Q: What’s your advice for someone who wants to start a business on Molokai?
A:  I would spend more time learning about the business end of things, like taxes.  I’ve had to learn it the hard way.  If anyone goes to college, they should take a business class!

Final words?  I would encourage everyone to get a business license and just go do something that they love!