About Michele
Welcome.
I’m an author and speaker who has spent the last four decades inspiring courage, vulnerability, healing, and creativity.
Maybe dreams give purpose a voice.
My story has been an adventure in finding purpose, and it began with my own healing journey. Transforming feelings of worthlessness into a deep sense of value ignited a fire in me—a passion to help others discover the same strength within themselves.
Here’s the official part: I’m an author, speaker, and chairman of Releasing Generations, a non-profit that empowers children, youth, and adults through workshops, retreats, and creative sessions. I was awarded the “Outstanding Advocate for the Children and Youth in the State of Hawaii” award in 2023 by Hawaii’s Governor Green and Mayor Blangiardi. I’ve written multiple books and curricula on creativity, inner healing, and the empowerment of future generations.
For 15 years, I was an elementary school teacher, and for 23 years, I served as a pastor alongside my husband, which gave me a profound compassion for people from all walks of life.
I’ve poured my heart into my books to share the keys I’ve discovered along the way: from my healing journey in Dancing with Father, to pursuing big dreams in The Birth of Explicit Movement: Discover Keys to Fulfilling Your Purpose, and empowering the next generation with the Dream Big Journal and the Brave Series curricula.
Everything I do is focused on helping others flourish in life and live out loud to their fullest potential.
Established in 2017, Michele Okimura Consulting has expanded my capacity to live my purpose through the power of writing and by equipping others through workshops, conferences, retreats, and coaching.
My firm belief is that every person’s story—even the broken ones—can become a launchpad into a future full of freedom, wonder, and limitless possibilities.
When I’m not writing, you’ll find me with my two amazing “twin-like” kids, Aaron and Jessica, or gardening with my husband, Rob, my best friend and the love of my life.
My Story
1962: Born in Honolulu, Hawaii. (My parents, grandma, and I)
1955: Oldest of two beautiful younger sisters.
1979: Miss Teen USA Finalist I didn’t win. But loved the experience!
1979: Graduated from high school
1984: Graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.
1984: Married Rob after dating for three years. The love of my life and best friend.
1991: Overflowing joy! Adopted our son Aaron.
1993: More rivers of joy! Adopted our daughter Jessica…who happened to be 9 days older than than Aaron! My twin-like sweeties.
1997: Rob and I founded Lifespring Church. I was unconventionally qualified to be a pastor by comedian Jim Carrey, but that is another story for another time.
Renaissance Conferences in 2010 and 2011: my first two arts conferences to release people into greater creativity!
2011: Published Dancing with Father. Let’s heal hearts.
2014: Our first island-wide youth and parent conference. Little did I know then that it would grow into a movement.
2015: Unexpected curve ball! Explicit Conferences grew into a non-profit organization. And we held our first middle school, young adult, and parent conferences AND repeated our! high school conference. How ever did we do 4 in one year?!!
2016: Another shocker… going global! Philippines Conferences in Manila and Baguio.
2016: Asia here we come! Youth and Parent Conference in Singapore!
2018: Teaching my first University course.
2018: Published 2018: Published The Birth of Explicit Movement: Discover Keys to Fulfilling Your Purpose and the Explicit Movement 21-Day Journal.
2018: Hello SoCal! The first California Youth and Parent Conference.
2019: Began launching equipping events for parents, teachers, and leaders in raising healthy and flourishing children and youth!
MY GREAT JOY! Online Creativity Conferences in 2020 and 2021, hosting global speakers!
2022: Published the Brave & Beautiful Curriculum. Empowering teen girls and women with confidence, purpose, and tools to protect themselves from exploitation.
2023: SURPRISE! Awarded the Hawaii State’s 2023 ‘Outstanding Advocate for the Children and Youth in The State of Hawaii Award’ by Mayor Blangiardi and Governor Green. Humbled greatly. I didn’t even know we were nominated!
2023: Happy 10th Birthday to our non- profit organization Releasing Generations. Overwhelmed with gratitude for the journey.
2023-2025: Published the Dream Big Journals curriculum. Versions created for Preschoolers through adults.