Go East Young Man
My Hawaiian Journey
From Maui to Hollywood: My Hawaiian Adventure
After making my way from Maui to Oahu, I bought a car, turned it into my makeshift home, and sent my headshot to Hawaii Film Studios. To my surprise, they called me in! They couldn't give me a part since I looked too much like the lead actor, but they offered me a gig as a stunt double instead—talk about an unexpected turn in my journey!
Being T/here in Hawaii
Living in Hawaii has put me in a unique space that supports personal exploration, oneness, and the mystical experiences of Huna, the Shamans about manifesting and tapping into "mana" "Chi" also known as the life force.
I have had a tremendous amount of good fortune, starting with a gig on the TV Show, Lost, and the teaching contracts I got, and my reverse commute from my condo in Ka-a-a-va (Yes that's how you spell it).
It starts with sacrifice, from sacrifice comes bliss. My general formula for my students is "Follow your bliss." Find where it is, and don't be afraid to follow it.
— Joseph Campbell
Bill Moyers once asked Joseph Campbell: "Did you ever have the sense of... being helped by hidden hands?"
Campbell responded: "All the time. It is miraculous. I even have a superstition that has grown on me as a result of invisible hands coming all the time - namely, that if you do follow your bliss you put yourself on a kind of track that has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. When you can see that, you begin to meet people who are in your field of bliss, and they open doors to you. I say, follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open where you didn't know they were going to be."
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Blog Entries
Waikiki - Banyan Tree Hugger
Standing under the sprawling banyan trees, I hugged the trunk and felt energy. I made promises to myself that I would Go For It! even though there was no indication that I would succeed. I couldn't help but marvel at their grandeur. These majestic trees are more than just a part of the landscape, they are guideposts.
The Banyan tree is revered for its strength and its ability to grow new roots as it matures, symbolizing growth and wisdom. In Waikiki, these trees provide a cool and inviting place to reflect and connect with nature.
Be(ing) There, Aloha! (Bora Bora)
The spirit of Aloha is more than a warm greeting; it's a philosophy. During my time in Honolulu, I found myself embracing this ethos of being present...
Aloha encompasses love, peace, and compassion. It's a way of living harmoniously with those around you, embracing each moment with open-heartedness.
Life of Pie - π and Unconscious Eating
What do mathematics and pie have in common? More than you'd think. This post explored how π, the symbol of infinite possibilities...
Conscious eating isn't just about savoring food, but about being mindful of where it comes from and the journey it takes to reach our plates. It's about truly appreciating the experiences that food brings.
The Huna and The Spirit Of Aloha
As Cruise Director aboard the Crystal Serenity, I embarked on a 110-day World Cruise—a journey that would redefine adventure but it was Hawaii that informed my practice of hospitality and tapping into the Huna or sacred knowledge that leads to harmony with nature and oneself.
The spirit of Aloha is more than a warm greeting; it's a philosophy. During my time in Honolulu, I found myself embracing this ethos of being present, connecting with others, and sharing kindness. Whether it was the soothing rhythm of the ocean waves or the smiles exchanged with locals, Honolulu taught me that being fully present is the greatest gift I can give myself and others. Aloha isn't just a word; it's a way of life.
Ed Reif and the Spirit of Aloha
A Hawaiian Odyssey
Chapter 1: Jump Ship and Say Aloha
Long before he was cruising the open seas, Ed Reif jumped ship—literally. A Merchant Marine turned adventurer, he traded a structured life at sea for the spiritual call of the Hawaiian Islands. Armed with nothing but a duffel bag and a sense of destiny, Ed landed on Maui. The “Aloha Vibe” hit him like a warm wave—slow, sacred, and full of synchronicity. He called it “Aloha Time”—where life didn’t rush but unfolded.
Chapter 2: Banyan Trees and Promises
One morning in Waikiki, Ed found himself face to face with a sprawling banyan tree. He wrapped his arms around it—not out of whimsy, but reverence. Beneath its wide branches and tangled roots, he made a promise: "Go for it. Even if you fail." The banyan became more than a tree. It was a guidepost, a symbol of resilience, strength, and new beginnings.
Chapter 3: From Car Seat to Call Sheet
Living out of his car on Oahu, Ed sent a headshot to Hawaii Film Studios—no agent, no expectations. He didn’t get the acting role. Ironically, he looked too much like the lead. But the universe had other plans. He became a stunt double on Lost. One gig led to another. Teaching contracts rolled in. The island was giving back.
Chapter 4: Fire, Water, and Film Sets
Before Hawaii, Ed studied at the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training. He knew how to fight fires, survive at sea, and save lives. But Hawaii taught him different skills—energy, harmony, and mana. He discovered Huna, the sacred knowledge of spiritual alignment and manifestation. As a Cruise Director, he didn’t just welcome guests. He created experiences—tapping into his Chi, syncing with the rhythm of the islands.
Chapter 5: Hollywood Hula
Back in L.A., Ed re-entered the mainland madness. He visited a filming location “just to say hi”—and walked off with a SAG contract. Day 1: Background extra. Day 2: Upgraded to a speaking role. Boom: Taft-Hartleyed. Thirty days to go union. No formal acting school, just on-set lessons: “Whisper, it brings the feelings to your face.” “Less New York, more neutral.” And that Stanislavsky rule he broke early on? “Love the art in yourself—not yourself in the art.” He laughed at the memory. He was learning by doing—and that was the Hawaiian way too.
Epilogue: Still on Island Time
Ed Reif didn’t find fame. He found presence. He didn’t chase roles. He followed roots—like the banyan. Hawaii wasn’t a detour. It was a recalibration. To live slower. To breathe deeper. To be abundant, even with less. And when people asked him, “What did you learn in Hawaii?” He just smiled and said: “Show up. Hug the tree. The rest will unfold.”