Today we’d like to introduce you to Sofia Kehaulani Selbe
Hi Sofia Kehaulani, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Aloha! I’m born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and my family is fourth generation Hawaiian. I had a great childhood with the Aloha Spirit infused into my life from the very beginning. My Hawaiian name is Kehaulani, which means, “Dew from Heaven”, therefore, I emanate sunshine to whoever I meet. During my years pursuing my architectural degree in the University of Hawaii at Manoa, I wanted to find a new hobby to help me endure the stress of my architecture classes. In 2018 I created a “just for fun” Instagram account for my beloved childhood dog, Kiki. I was behind the camera and narrated Kiki’s voice in each Instagram post. The beautiful photos I took of Kiki along with the inspirational captions on each Instagram post sparked a great interest worldwide and Kiki became an Instagram super star. I remained behind the camera and allowed Kiki to become a figurehead of Hawaii and what the Aloha Spirit truly means. She and I were inseparable and what started as a little hobby, became my full time job. I bloomed into an influencer. I have a book on Amazon titled “Aloha Kiki, Ten Tips to a Better You”, and it’s filled with great inspiration that came directly from the captions I posted on Instagram.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenge of my life was finding peace after the passing of Kiki. You never fully heal after the loss of your beloved pet. They become a huge part of your life and they are exactly like a family member. The only way to find peace is to make space in your heart for a new pet, or pets. They never replace the pet before, but they will help you to find peace. I was blessed with Kiki the second, who is the same coloring and extremely similar facial features as Kiki the first. Even her demeanor and personality are identical to my Angel Kiki, watching over me from heaven. Then, I met Alika and immediately knew he would be another great addition to our family. Alika is a male with black and tan coloring from the same type of breed, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and he is two years younger than Kiki the second. The both of them make my life vibrant and full of happiness.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in empowering people to make their dreams come true. I’m positive, inspiring, and compassionate. I’m most proud of the amazing connections I’ve made with so many people worldwide. What sets me apart from others is my ability to overcome my own struggles and make a positive impact in the world.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’m ready to collaborate with anyone who needs that Aloha Spirit in their lives! It’s a powerful force that transforms! I’m bubbly, energetic, funny, and creative. I think outside the box to help businesses grow and reach new audiences.
The best way to support me is by following my accounts, @alohakiki808 and @sofia_haupia on Instagram. I’ve developed my own “human account” to open up new “non-doggy” content opportunities and for those who know me from my dog account to get to know me from my human account. If that makes sense! Haha. Anyway, I’m a bundle of joy and I sparkle with love. Thank you so much! Mahalo Nui Loa.
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