Those women you see at the top of their fields in Hawai'i — business leaders, entertainers, politicians, newscasters and others? When they go home, many of them also are regular moms like the rest of us. They deal with bathtub stains, drag by on a couple of hours of sleep, imagine disasters, fret over college savings and dream sparkling dreams for their children.

Now visitors to www.HawaiiMoms.com will have a chance to read the thoughts of some of Hawai'i's notable mothers — and even exchange feedback.

Today, www.HawaiiMoms.com launches Inspiring Moms, an occasional series of essays by Island women who are leaders in their fields, with the idea that all moms can learn from each other's wisdom and examples.

Each essay will be posted in the new Inspiring Moms forum on www.HawaiiMoms.com.

First up today: journalist Diane Ako, who, together with her husband, Claus Hansen, welcomed their daughter, Olivia, in June. While most folks will recognize Ako from her work as a TV reporter and weekend anchor at KHNL News-8, some may be surprised to discover that she's also skilled at the written word.

Visit the Inspiring Moms forum on www.HawaiiMoms.com to read Ako's essay on how motherhood has changed her — and how both sleep deprivation and her hopes for her daughter's future have altered Ako's sense of how time passes.

Then join the online chat with other moms and Ako herself at www.HawaiiMoms.com. On the Web site, you also can view photos of Ako and her adorable daughter.

Reach Esme Infante Nii at enii@honoluluadvertiser.com.