Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 3, 1 March 2009 — Hawaiʻi piha [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Hawaiʻi piha

'Ōiwi TV brings pure Hawaiian programming to the airwaves By Francine Murray Brnadcast/Media Cnnrdinatnr In a innovative joint venture, producer/filniinaker Nā'ālehu Anthony and Oeeanie TinieWarner's President, Nate Smith, determined without a doubt

that 'Ōiwi TV was just right for Oceanic's interactive Video On-Demand. Developed by Native Hawaiians, 'Ōiwi TV is dedicated to providing high-quality Hawaiian programming to our island community. It acts as a conduit linking loeal producers and organizations to viewers interested in everything Hawaiian: education, language,

people and more. After a successful pilot period in 2008, 'Ōiwi TV will officially launeh this month with a great lineup of Hawaiian prograniniing that's updated weekly and available when you want it. In an age when people are used to 24/7 access to infonnation and entertainnient, 'Ōiwi TV feeds the need with the latest technology.

"We have been experimenting with many interactive applications over the last six years,

but the application o n

whieh 'Ōiwi TV is state-of-the-art and has refined the interactive TV experience," said Smith. "Although the technology is in its early stages, we are very excited about the promise this applieahon carries." Using the latest technology to preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian culture and language, 'Ōiwi TV's

goal is to provide an affordable and efficient opportunity for producers to broadcast Native Hawaiian issues on television. "The beauty of the system is that content producers who are producing small five- to 10-minute videos will be able to air their

content alongside the larger producers like Kamehameha Schools and OHA," said Anthony. "Everyone has a level playing field. All of the videos are on demand and therefore all of them have the opportuni-

ty to be played in prime tinie." One of the most popular shows on 'Ōiwi TV is 'Āina 'Ōiwi, an educational children's series featuring two adorable animated characters, Kania and Lani, who speak fluent Hawaiian. Produced by 'Aha Pūnana Leo, the hit is highly praised in the conununity and has worked wonders in the class-

room. Other progranis on-demand include the historical documentary Act ofWar, about the overthrow of the Hawaiian Nation; The Legacy ofa Princess, the story of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop; the series of Hawaiian language lessons, Kulāiwi, is a great educational tool that ean be watched over and over again. IT offers lessons that ean be practiced in real life by watching the Hawaiian language news prograni 'Āha'i 'Ōlelo Ola, whieh is available subtitled. If you enjoy food progranis, your mouth will water when you tune in to the miniseries featuring recipes made with loeal Hawaiian ingredients, Huaka'i 'Āina Ho'oilina. With cooking lessons in your home, you ean make delicious dishes when you want to. For the best in Native Hawaiian programming turn to 'Ōiwi TV on Oeeanie Digital 326 cable On-Demand. Free to anyone with access to the Oeeanie digital network. S

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