Last month, we shared that federal funding for public media will end on September 30. At that time, we promised to keep you informed as we better understood what that would mean for our station and our future.
Today, we want to thank you for your continued support—and give you a clearer picture of what lies ahead.
Last week, the PBS National Board approved an Emergency Dues Relief Plan to help offset funding shortfalls. The plan provides financial assistance based on a station’s reliance on federal Community Service Grant (CSG) funding. For PBS Hawai‘i, 17.3% of our annual budget came from CSG funds, most of it used to purchase and air national PBS programming.
As a result, PBS Hawai‘i will receive a one-time 15.4% reduction in national programming dues for Fiscal Year 2026, totaling $243,469:
- Original FY2026 Dues Estimate: $1,585,938
- After Relief: $1,342,469
- Reduction: $243,469
While this reduction is meaningful, the loss of federal funding means PBS Hawai‘i must now cover the full cost of national programming on our own.
This is a major financial shift. And while it presents real challenges, it also provides an opportunity to strengthen the community-based model that has always sustained us.
Federal support has been important, but it’s long been just one part of our broader revenue base, alongside support from individual viewers, foundations, and local businesses.
More than two years ago, we began preparing for a more self-reliant future. We launched a strategic plan focused on financial sustainability, digital innovation, and deeper community engagement.
We’ve taken action:
- We reviewed and realigned our expenses, reducing annual costs by over $500,000 by prioritizing essential needs.
- We restructured our team to operate more efficiently and expanded Business Development to pursue new revenue partnerships.
- We’ve refined our philanthropic strategy, focusing on stronger relationships with aligned funders and supporters like you.
Even with these changes, the road ahead will require difficult decisions and a continued rethinking of how we do business. But we remain committed to preserving the quality, accessibility, and trust you expect from PBS Hawai‘i.
As a community-funded nonprofit, PBS Hawai‘i cannot meet this moment alone. The loss of federal funding means we now rely on you more than ever.
We need your continued investment to keep PBS Hawai‘i a vital and independent source of education, storytelling, and connection for this generation and the next. This is your station. Public media belongs to the people and with your support, it always will.
Please stand with us. Make your tax-deductible gift today to keep PBS Hawai‘i strong for the future. Together, with resilience and aloha, we move forward.
With gratitude and aloha,
Ron Mizutani
and The PBS Hawai‘i Team