Olena Heu

Olena Heu is an accomplished marketing professional, entrepreneur, and journalist. She earned both a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Speech Communication from Hawai‘i Pacific University and, in 2024, completed a certificate in Digital Marketing Strategy through Harvard Business School Online.

As an award-winning reporter and news anchor, Olena has been recognized with the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award, multiple Society of Professional Journalists Awards, a Telly Award, and an Emmy nomination. In 2004, the Kaua‘i native proudly represented the Aloha State as Miss Hawai‘i at the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City.

Today, Olena is the founder of a global marketing and communications firm serving clients across industries. She is also the creator and host of Da Best Hawaii, a TV show and podcast available on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartPodcasts.

Beyond her professional work, Olena actively gives back to the community through volunteerism and pro bono service. She is a current member of the Hawai‘i Society of Business Professionals and the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce and has served on the American Heart Association Leaders Board, the Hawai‘i Pacific University Communications Advisory Board, and the HPU Alumni Council. A sought-after speaker, she has appeared at the Distinguished Leaders Forum, the Wahine Forum, and served on the Governor's Awards selection committee.

Her past leadership roles include serving as Communications Director and President of the Board of Directors for the Miss Hawai‘i Organization, as well as HPU President’s Host. She has also been recognized as Outstanding Media Person of the Year (Special Olympics Hawai‘i), a Mahalo Service Award nominee, and recipient of the Hawai‘i Association of Broadcasters Scholarship Award.

In the spring of 2019, following genetic testing and a strong family history of breast cancer, Olena made the courageous decision to undergo a prophylactic double mastectomy without reconstruction. This choice came just months after losing her mother to a three-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. The disease had also affected her aunt and grandmother on her maternal side.

Genetic testing revealed that Olena carries a RAD50 mutation, significantly increasing her already high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. Determined to take control of her health, she opted for the preventative surgery, reducing her risk of breast cancer by more than 90%.

Since her surgery, Olena has become a passionate advocate and public speaker focused on breast cancer prevention. Her journey has inspired many, and in the summer of 2020, she was honored with the Breast Cancer Hawaii Award of Courage for her advocacy work.

You can watch Olena’s preventive mastectomy journey on YouTube.

Olena is a freelance journalist, writer, educator, marketing expert and communications specialist. 

Services include writing, content creation, digital marketing management, photography, consulting, television hosting, voice-over acting, education/training and motivational speaking. 

Reach out and follow me @olenaheu

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Send an email direct: info@olenaheu.com

Or submit a contact inquiry or website chat message to get in touch. 

My BLOG: http://www.mypointofheu.com/

(Photo Courtesy: Craig Bixel)