Amy Kalili hosts a new Hawaiian-language news segment on “Sunrise on KGMB9,” now a regular offering following a successful early run. - Photo: Courtesy of Sunrise on KGMB9

'Ōlelo Hawai'i
comes to KGMB9

By Lisa Asato / Ka Wai Ola Editor

Tune in to “Sunrise on KGMB9” around 7:30 a.m. weekdays, and it's likely you'll catch KGMB special correspondent Amy Kalili making headlines, so to speak – by delivering news and headlines in 'ōlelo Hawai'i.

Kalili, the interim executive director of 'Aha Pūnana Leo, said response to the new Hawaiian-language segment, 'Āha'i 'Ōlelo Ola: Messenger of a Living Language, “has been tremendous,” spurring calls and e-mails to KGMB, praise in Honolulu Star-Bulletin's weekly Hawaiian-language column, Kauakūkalahale, and a visit from New Zealand's Maori TV, which “heard about the show and sent a crew to Honolulu to cover the story.”

Kalili helped launch 'Āha'i 'Ōlelo Ola March 10 with the words “Hiehie ka 'ikena ke nana aku, he 'ōlelo ola ko Hawai'i nei!” as English subtitles to the effect, “It is beautiful to witness that Hawai'i has a living language,” appeared in living rooms across the islands.

“We're the first local television station to report the news in the Native Hawaiian language,” said news director Chris Archer, adding that it's something KGMB employees, from the staff to its president and general manager Rick Blangiardi, has embraced. “The revitalization of the Hawaiian language is happening now in terms of a big push, and we want to be part of that,” he said. 2008 marks three decades since the Hawaiian language was named an official language of the state.

Before 1900 and even a bit later, “Hawaiian was the daily language in Hawai'i and no matter what your ethnicity, you probably spoke Hawaiian along with another language. Hawaiian was the language of the newspapers, the courts, businesses, churches, government and families,” said Kalili, a Kamehameha Schools graduate.

Originally a weeklong venture between KGMB9 and Kamehameha Schools leading up to the broadcast of Kamehameha Schools Song Contest on March 14, 'Āha'i 'Ōlelo Ola was made a permanent segment early in its run due to popular demand.

Kalili's reaction to the segment's permanency in morning news? “Excitement and a bit of concern,” she said. “Hawaiian language speakers are in great demand, so how do we find more people to generate stories, write them in Hawaiian and English, present them on the air, help find images and do subtitles? How do we keep that going? We are still working with the producers at KGMB to create a sustainable process.”

During her first day on air “the morning news staff really made us feel welcomed and supported,” she said. “Reading from a teleprompter was a challenge. It was hectic, but we jumped in feet first and gave it our best shot.”

“I am never on screen alone,” she added. “Along with me are the writers, producers, editors, photographers, studio people and the families, teachers, students and everyone else who helps keep our language alive, along with my kūpuna and the countless generations before me.”

And, she sends this message out to the community: “ 'A'ohe hana nui ke alu 'ia: no job is too big if everyone pitches in. We invite anyone who is interested to contact us and join in! E ola ka 'ōlelo Hawai'i!”