Photo Illustration: Nelson Gaspar

Hawai'i piha

'Ōiwi TV brings pure Hawaiian
programming to the airwaves

By Francine Murray / Ka Wai Ola

In a innovative joint venture, producer/filmmaker Nā'ālehu Anthony and Oceanic Time-Warner's President, Nate Smith, determined without a doubt that 'Ōiwi TV was just right for Oceanic's interactive Video On-Demand.

Developed by Native Hawaiians, 'Ōiwi TV is dedicated to providing high-quality Hawaiian programming to our island community. It acts as a conduit linking local producers and organizations to viewers interested in everything Hawaiian: education, language, people and more. After a successful pilot period in 2008, 'Ōiwi TV will officially launch this month with a great lineup of Hawaiian programming that's updated weekly and available when you want it.

In an age when people are used to 24/7 access to information and entertainment, 'Ōiwi TV feeds the need with the latest technology. "We have been experimenting with many interactive applications over the last six years, but the application on which 'Ōiwi TV is state-of-the-art and has refined the interactive TV experience," said Smith. "Although the technology is in its early stages, we are very excited about the promise this application carries."

Using the latest technology to preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian culture and language, 'Ōiwi TV's goal is to provide an affordable and efficient opportunity for producers to broadcast Native Hawaiian issues on television. "The beauty of the system is that content producers who are producing small five- to 10-minute videos will be able to air their content alongside the larger producers like Kamehameha Schools and OHA," said Anthony. "Everyone has a level playing field. All of the videos are on demand and therefore all of them have the opportunity to be played in prime time."

One of the most popular shows on 'Ōiwi TV is 'Āina 'Ōiwi, an educational children's series featuring two adorable animated characters, Kama and Lani, who speak fluent Hawaiian. Produced by 'Aha Pūnana Leo, the hit is highly praised in the community and has worked wonders in the classroom.

Other programs on-demand include the historical documentary Act of War, about the overthrow of the Hawaiian Nation; The Legacy of a Princess, the story of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop; Huaka'i 'Āina Ho'oilina, concerning sustainability in Hawai'i; the series of Hawaiian language lessons, Kulāiwi, is a great educational tool that can be watched over and over again. It offers lessons that can be practiced in real life by watching the Hawaiian language news program 'Āha'i 'Ōlelo Ola, which is available subtitled.

If you enjoy food programs, your mouth will water when you tune in to the miniseries featuring recipes made with local Hawaiian ingredients, E ʻAi Kākou. With cooking lessons in your home, you can make delicious dishes when you want to.

For the best in Native Hawaiian programming turn to 'Ōiwi TV on Oceanic Digital 326
cable On-Demand. Free to anyone with access to the Oceanic digital network.