Can you believe it is already September!

I guess the old idiom, “time flies when you’re having fun,” is true.

Soon, the PBS Hawai‘i team will be Trunk o’ Treating with our Keiki Club families and Hawai‘i residents will elect the state’s ninth governor. Then we will be carving turkeys and hams, and before we know it, making lists and checking them twice.

While all of this is set to unfold, something very exciting is already in motion in our talent-rich walls. We are excited to share that we are reimagining and relaunching HIKI NŌ with a different format and vibe and with a new look and a new name – sort of.

Starting in October 2022, HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i is diving headfirst into the digital world by presenting student-produced stories online first. The digital premieres will appear on different social media platforms, designed for feedback and interaction with student storytellers and their peers.

Think of it this way: as you read this message, chances are you have one or more devices within arm’s reach. In fact, research by Bank of America revealed more than 71% of Americans sleep with or next to their smartphone.

It is safe to assume that percentage is even higher for teenagers. According to a study conducted by Jama Pediatrics, teens are spending on average, almost nine hours in front of a screen every day, consuming entertainment media, social media, online videos and mobile games.

In order for PBS Hawai‘i to remain relevant in this ever-evolving digital world, we must adapt and grow with it, and meet consumers, including teens in their space and not assume they will come to us.

“Appointment media” where content is consumed at a specific time and specific location has significantly shifted. Consumers want flexibility and diversity. They want to watch, listen to and read content when, where and how they wish.

Part of our strategy to increase student engagement is to help develop live, virtual student forums in which HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i storytellers share and discuss their work with one another.

The HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i process does not end there. Once stories digitally premiere, our team will then curate stories into produced episodes for broadcast, hosted in-studio by students and HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i alumni.

The experience a student has visiting our facility, especially hosting a show, can be life changing. We would like to facilitate this experience as a first step in a life-long relationship with PBS Hawai‘i.

This is a very different approach for this iconic, educational initiative. We understand it will require flexibility, innovative thinking and getting out of our comfort zones.

By using digital premieres, student-hosted pre-produced episodes for broadcast and a robust digital presence with strategic distribution, networking and marketing, HIKI NŌ on PBS Hawai‘i will effectively evolve into another multi-media initiative on PBS Hawai‘i.

Our goal is to continuously grow and expand our reach, using multiple content formats and platforms. We are beginning an exciting new chapter of our mission and the best part about this untold story is that it keeps writing itself.

With gratitude and appreciation,

Ron Mizutani