Choosing Passion Over Fear | with Kimié Miner
What if your biggest successes are hidden behind the fears you’ve been avoiding?
Fear often keeps us from chasing our dreams, creating invisible barriers that hold us back from our true potential. It’s the voice that tells us we’re not good enough, that failure is too great a risk, and that comfort is safer than pursuing the unknown. Yet, the reality is that these fears are often unfounded, and they rob us of the chance to grow, explore, and achieve our deepest desires. When passion takes the lead, it has the power to dissolve these fears, transforming obstacles into opportunities and doubts into determination.
Kimié Miner, an award-winning musician, faced her fears head-on and transformed her passion into a thriving career. Her story is not just inspiring—it’s a blueprint for anyone ready to let passion conquer fear.
Humble Beginnings
For award-winning musician Kimié Miner, shining brightly on stage was not always her strong suit.
From a young age, Miner had an interest in music. She viewed singing and songwriting as a form of therapy, a deeply personal expression of her thoughts and feelings.
As a boarder at Kamehameha Schools, she would sing to her fellow dorm mates, but inside, she remained nervous, shy, and afraid of rejection.
She feared that she wasn’t good enough and that others wouldn’t value her music in the same way that she did.
A part of her entertained the idea of pursuing music professionally, but ultimately, she was discouraged by her parents telling her that she needed a reliable career. So, after graduating, Miner headed to the University of San Diego.
Young Kimié Miner performing a show early on in her music career.
Unexpected Opportunities
While in San Diego, Miner and her friends took advantage of the vibrant music scene, often attending concerts on the weekends.
One particular weekend, Miner had the opportunity to meet reggae legend Barrington Levy. Her friend outed Miner, telling Levy just how good of a singer she was. Without hesitation, Levy asked Miner to sing for him.
Once again, Miner found herself caught in that place of fear and nervousness.
What if I’m not good enough? What if he doesn’t like me?
But, she cast her doubts aside and sang proudly for the seasoned musician. Almost instantly, Levy asked if Miner wanted to be the opening act on the remainder of his tour.
This single moment marked the beginning of her professional music career.
Passion in Action
Once the tour was over, Miner briefly returned to school, though she felt dissatisfied and hungry for more. She wanted to continue on her musical journey.
Miner realized she didn’t need a prestigious studio or fancy equipment to record her music.
So, she began recording original songs on her laptop and sharing them with friends. Through word of mouth and the power of the internet, Miner’s music began to reach audiences far and wide.
Today, Miner has become a household name in Hawaiʻi’s music scene. Along with writing and co-producing four albums since 2013, she has a slew of accomplishments under her belt.
Some of Miner’s awards and recognitions include Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards Female Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year, Island Music Awards Female Artist of the Year, and a Grammy Awards nomination for producing.
Miner at the 2020 Grammy Awards
Miner has toured multiple times and continues performing in Hawaiʻi and beyond.
Achieving such successes allowed her to establish a firm foundation for growing as a musician, producer, and mentor for other artists. She deeply values sharing in success, and thus went on to found Haku Collective, a network of creatives aiming to educate, support, and uplift other Hawaiʻi creatives and artists.
Passion Over Fear
Kimie Miner’s story is a perfect example of how overcoming your fears can lead to incredible opportunities.
If Miner had chosen not to sing for Barrington Levy that night, perhaps her presence as one of Hawaiʻi’s distinguished musicians would not exist today. Rather than letting her doubts paralyze her, Miner let her love for music empower her.
“My passion was greater than my fears…I was willing to step out there and be vulnerable.”
By embracing vulnerability and pushing past internal fears – self-doubt, fears of failure, etc. – you open yourself up to transformative experiences. Miner harnessed the power of passion, ultimately letting her light shine bright.
The next time you are faced with fears holding you back, consider how your passions can propel you forward!
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