One Song Ends, Another Begins

Melissa Moniz
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Friday - June 22, 2011
| Del.icio.us

I was just a few weeks out of college when I took that first drive to the MidWeek Kaneohe office. My resume in hand with fresh markings that proudly noted my B.A. in journalism and English, I was hoping to be considered for a part-time position unrelated to writing that would possibly lead to a full-time writing opportunity.

It’s what some call getting your foot in the door.

About halfway through my interview, I’m told that Don Chapman wants to see me. In shock, I’m escorted to the editor’s office. He looks at my resume, we talk about writing and my experience. The next thing I know I’m walking out of the building screaming to my boyfriend that I not only got a job, but I got a job as a staff writer!

You could say the stars aligned for me that day, but I think it had everything to do with Don believing in a bright-eyed college graduate who had a passion for writing.

That was June 2003.


Exactly eight years later, I’m writing my final story in MidWeek.

MidWeek has seen me through the many milestones in life.

When I started at MidWeek I was not only a new college grad, but also a new mom of my 3-month-old daughter Taylor. A year later I was married to my husband James, and a year after that my daughter Kylie was born.

Not only have my daughters grown up with MidWeek, but I have done a lot of growing as well.

I remember my third day on the job being sent to interview Joe Moore and Pat Sajak. A huge Wheel of Fortune fan and entirely aware of the caliber of these famous men, I was terrified. It was at that moment I questioned if I had what it took to make it as a professional journalist.

Needless to say I completed that assignment and the many others that came my way. I’ve had the honor of interviewing local music celebrities such as Eddie Kamae, Bruno Mars, The Makaha Sons, Brothers Cazimero, Tia Carrere, Jake Shimabukuro, Nicole Scherzinger and Raiatea Helm, to name a few.

Although I officially left my position as associate editor in August 2010, I remained connected through this column and occasional visits to the office.

MidWeek is where my career began, and where I not only gained knowledge and experience, but where I built amazing friendships.

To my managers: Thank you, Don, for taking a chance on me and giving me my wings. Thank you, Ron (Nagasawa), for being the backbone of my career and always keeping it real - real funny. Thank you, Terri (Hefner), for our heart-to-heart conversations and your motherly support. Thank you, Carol (Chang), for your random wit - you make me smile. And thank you, Yu Shing (Ting), for being an amazing friend and showing me that a person’s ability to care is limitless.

I have truly enjoyed my years at MidWeek because I love to write, but especially because of the people I’ve had the privilege to work with.


Upon my announcement of leaving, Don sent me an e-mail saying, “MidWeek is kind of like the mafia: Once you’re in, you’re always in, and we’ll always consider you part of the family.”

Sweet, yeah?

I sincerely appreciate the kind words and support as I begin a new chapter in my career as the corporate communication officer at Central Pacific Bank.

Thank you also to my biggest fan, my husband, who reads every column and story that I write, even though it’s probably not by choice. Thank you, James, for being my pillar, so that I can follow my dreams.

To my princesses Taylor and Kylie: You are my purpose and have made my life far more fanciful than any happily-ever-after fairy tale that I could ever write.

It has been an amazing ride and I’ve had so much fun writing this column for the past three years. I am especially happy that “Music Montage” will be in even better hands with Bill Mossman taking it over.

Thank you to all the musicians who I’ve written about, thanks for all the CDs, and thanks to MidWeek readers who have let me into their homes for the past eight years.

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