Aloha mai kakou,

As we start 2022, it is our responsibility to reflect back on the past year, and assess our achievements and address our challenges.

There is no question, 2021 was an absolute whirlwind for our team. It started with deep research and analysis, a collaborative plan and a clear vision of what tomorrow will look like. We listened to you, adjusted our course and safely moved forward, at times even navigating uncharted waters.

Now, our PBS Hawai‘i canoe is surfing on a wave of momentum … thanks to you and your support.

Momentum is an awesome force, the directional property of an object in motion that describes its ability to influence another object upon impact.

This past year your support gave us the momentum to:

…bring diverse voices and perspectives together to discuss important community issues on INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI‘I. Live streaming allowed real-time engagement on social media with viewers around the globe.

…provide students a safe platform to share their voices on HIKI NŌ, Hawai‘i’s New Wave of Storytellers. We asked students to turn the cameras on themselves and tell “their” stories. The results were powerful student reflections that were raw, insightful and in many instances, healing. HIKI NŌ 2.0 promises to be bigger than ever.

…hold our first KĀKOU: Hawai‘i’s Town Hall since 2018, a 90-minute robust discussion with 18 panelists, live in-studio and on Zoom. We asked the question, “How Much Tourism is Too Much and Who Decides?”

…perpetuate Hawaiian culture with three new Nā Mele programs. Live Hawaiian music from Kuana Torres Kahele, Mark Yamanaka and Kainani Kahaunaele filled our halls once again, with the addition of digital-exclusive content. We reached beyond over-the-air television with new initiatives, behind-the-scenes interviews and special guest appearances.

…build new relationships with Hawai‘i filmmakers and feature their work on PBS Hawai‘i Presents. We will continue to be a vessel for our talent-rich film community.

…welcome back PBS Hawai‘i Keiki Club members with a spook-tacular Trunk o’ Treat drive-through event. I am not sure who had more fun, the keiki or the PBS Hawai‘i staff.

…share authentic stories about Hawai‘i’s local cultures and traditions through our local weekly audio podcast, What School You Went? The growing number of listeners confirms what we have always known… Hawai‘i is a special place that people love calling home.

And last but not least, this momentum helped us envision, Home is Here, a new local series that will take you deep into neighborhoods across Hawai‘i, and provide an inside peek at how we live, work and play.  Stay tuned to learn more as we premiere our show next month.

Our hope is to continue to build on this momentum of locally-produced content, while still providing access to respected newscasts and documentaries, a trusted space for live discussions, and a safe place for keiki to learn, explore and discover.

On behalf of our Board of Directors and Staff, mahalo nui for your continued trust and for welcoming PBS Hawai‘i into your homes and your lives.

Our vision of tomorrow excites us. We hope you feel it too.

Ron Mizutani and the PBS Hawai‘i family