Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 3, 1 April 2009 — ʻĀha'i ʻŌlelo Ola launches Hawaiian- language TV news magazine [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ʻĀha'i ʻŌlelo Ola launches Hawaiianlanguage TV news magazine

Native perspective fills half-hour show on KGMB9

By ī. Ilihia Giansan Publicatians Editur Ola ka 'ōlelo Hawai'i ma 'ō a 'ō. ma nā kīwī a ma nā lolouila pū kekahi, ma ka polokalamu nūhou 'o Āha 'i 'Ōlelo Ola. The Hawaiian lan-

guage lives on TVs across Hawai'i and on eompui-

ers around the world with 'Aha 'i 'Olelo Ola

bringing the news of Hawai'i and the world home in the native tongue. 'Āha 'i 'Ōlelo Ola was only going to be a five-day special segment on KGMB9 news in 2008, but a thick stack of e-mails saying "It's about time" convinced the partners in the production otherwise. Āha'i 'Ōlelo Ola has become a daily segment on KGMB9's Sunrise morning show and celebrated its first anniversary last month. And starting April 5. Āha'i 'Ōlelo Ola will launeh a half-hour news magazine at 4:30 p.m. every Sunday on KGMB9, with a new episode every other week. "The idea behind Āha'i 'Ōlelo Ola isn't only (presenting) it in Hawaiian," said executive producer Nā'ālehu Anthony. "It's telling stories from a Hawaiian cultural perspective and telling stories that wouldn't ordinarily be picked up by mainstream news." "We are enormously proud and very excited to bring these programs to the people of Hawai'i," said Rick Blangiardi, general manager of KGMB9. Blangiardi was raised in a bilingual household speaking both English and Halian, and was formerly president of Spanish-language television network Telemundo, so Blangiardi understands the importance of language to cultural identity. "I see the potential of ('Āha'i 'Ōlelo Ola). and I just know something good is going to eome of this," he said. "The value of Āha'i 'Ōlelo Ola to the Hawaiian language revitalization movement cannot be overstated," said anchor Amy Kalili. "Everyone in Hawai'i is touched by the Hawaiian language in small ways or big, and hearing the language on the news is an important validation to everyone that the language lives." What began as a one-week gig for Kalili turned her into a household name and face across Hawai'i. "Expanding to a half-hour show is a big step forward, and helps us to stabilize and sustain the show. We can't say enough about how great Rick (Blangiardi) and everyone at KGMB9 has been," she said. In addition to anchoring Āha'i 'Ōlelo Ola. Kalili is part of 'Aha Pūnana Leo's executive

management team. Chris Archer, news director at KGMB9, said that the partnership that blossomed in a week turned into a strong commitment to the people of Hawai'i, especially those revitalizing the Hawaiian language. "We want to be the loeal news station that everyone turns to. and it doesn't get any more loeal than this," he said. Āha'i 'Ōlelo Ola is produced in partnership by 'Aha Pūnana Leo, KGMB9 and Palikū Documentary Films. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is the title sponsor for the half-hour shows. If you miss a segment, Āha 'i 'Ōlelo Ola is also available on 'Ōiwi TV. an interactive ondemand station on Oeeanie Digital Channel 326. Āha 'i 'Ōlelo Ola is also available online at HawaiianLanguage.tv. ■

'Āha'i 'Ōlelo Ola premiere 4:30 p.m. Sunday, April 5, with a new episode airing April 19 KGMB9 The show's premiere ' include stories on: • an update of the ceded lands case at the U.S. Supreme Court • the race to fill Barbara Marshall's seat on the Honolulu City Council • what's going on in charter schools Loko Ea, a fishpond in Hale'iwa, 0'ahu • Aunty Mary Lou Kekuewa, Paulette Kahalepuna and Hawaiian featherwork • former Hawai'i Gov. John Waihe'e • the Hawaiian-speaking football team at Ke Kula Kaiapuni 'o Ānuenue in Pālolo, 0'ahu

NŪHOU - N EWS KA WAI OLA | ĪHE LIVING WATER 0F OHA

Anchor Amy Kalili. Photo: KGMB9