Live at 5 on Maui’s Akaku TV – late 2013- Ruhi Moran

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12-30- 2013 AKAKU live at 5 on 55 – maui community tv/media , hosted by RUHI MORAN & JASON SCHWARTZ

Summary & Transcript Below…

[00:39 → 02:34]

Introduction and Community Overview

Jason Schwartz opens the broadcast live from Akaku’s channel 55, co-hosted with Ruhi Moran, who recently relocated to Molokai. Ruhi shares her background of initially visiting Molokai in 2006 and moving there permanently with her husband in October of the current year. Akaku is introduced as a vital community resource offering advanced digital technology training, live event broadcasts, and innovative programming across Maui County. The segment emphasizes Akaku’s two-decade commitment to serving the local community through accessible online video and information.

• [02:34 → 03:33]
  • • Island News Headlines

Jack Gist delivers key local news updates:

• DT Fleming Beach in Lahaina has reopened following shark sightings linked to murky water from stream runoff. A four-foot hammerhead shark was sighted multiple times, prompting ocean safety warnings.
• Authorities remind boaters to maintain a lawful distance of 100 yards from whales during the ongoing whale season (now through May), highlighting concerns over annual whale-vessel collisions.
• The state released $3 million for shoreline improvements on Honopilani Highway, focusing on tsunami damage restoration using construction and boulder revetments since the 2011 event.
• [03:33 → 09:11]
  • • Community Events and Local Engagement

The hosts discuss popular community events such as First Friday and Fourth Friday gatherings, where local vendors and musicians come together to celebrate. The Y-Beam kids from Akaku are scheduled to video record the upcoming First Friday event in Wailuku, capturing the vibrant community atmosphere. Footage from the recent Fourth Friday event in Kihei, featuring live music and dancing, is shown. The segment highlights the importance of these cultural gatherings for fostering community spirit and involvement. Marty Dredd’s performance energizes the crowd, underscoring the interactive and lively nature of these events.

• [09:11 → 13:12]
  • • Upcoming Akaku Media Salons and Filmmaking Insights

Jason introduces the Akaku Media Salons, informal gatherings where industry professionals share their expertise. An interview with a filmmaker reveals a deep passion for the craft, emphasizing the comprehensive role a filmmaker often assumes—from writing and shooting to editing and client consultation. The filmmaker transitions from educational videos to documentaries while maintaining a hands-on approach. The favorite part of the process is post-production, where editing and music selection shape the final film. Upcoming salons feature Linda Booker, co-producer of the documentary Bringing It Home, which explores the industrial and historical uses of hemp, highlighting its global cultivation yet U.S. prohibition. This event is free and aims to inspire and educate the community.

• [13:12 → 18:51]
  • • Ruhi Moran’s Molokai Experience and Community Outreach

Ruhi shares her journey into documentary filmmaking, which began internationally in China and Austin, Texas, before moving to Molokai. Upon arrival, she engaged with Akaku and the local community, quickly gaining trust and access to equipment for filming events such as the Festivals of Aloha parade. Her work airs on Molokai Saturdays on Akaku 55, a dedicated programming block showcasing Molokai content. Ruhi values the community’s warm welcome and is actively involved in youth outreach through the Molokai Youth Center’s homework help and anti-bullying initiatives like Families Against Bullying and Hawaiian Families as Allies. She appreciates the island’s calm pace compared to bustling cities like Maui or Xi’an, China, and highlights the close-knit community feel, where familiar faces are quickly recognized and friendships form rapidly. Akaku plans to increase outreach on Molokai, encouraging youth participation and community input.

• [18:51 → 22:23]
  • • Whale Report and Marine Life Awareness

A segment featuring Anne Paquen and “Willie the Whale Whisperer”—a solar engineer with a passion for marine life—reports on a pygmy sperm whale found stranded on a Kihei beach on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, the whale, approximately seven feet long, was euthanized due to its condition. Discussion includes biological details about pygmy sperm whales (Cogia brevisseps), distinguishing them from baleen whales like humpbacks by their single blowhole and toothed feeding habits. The report mentions that these whales are deep-ocean dwellers rarely seen near shore except when beached. Willie also shares updated counts of humpback whales around Maui and all of Hawaii, with about 833 around Maui and twice that number statewide, underscoring the significance of whale season and the need for public awareness regarding marine safety and conservation.

• [22:23 → 23:37]
  • • Community Contributors and Youth Involvement

The program highlights regular contributor Chivo Ching Johnson and his great-granddaughter Kavai, who has emerged as a young video producer. Kavai recently filmed and edited coverage of the Cool Harvest Festival, demonstrating the next generation’s engagement with local media and storytelling. The segment expresses enthusiasm for showcasing youth talents and their contributions to documenting community events.

• [23:37 → 28:46]
  • • Cultural and Artistic Showcase

A music and poetry segment features heartfelt love-themed lyrics performed by Miss Debbie, the librarian at Cooler School, accompanied by artistic visuals that blend elements of the ocean and Hawaiian culture. The performance captures themes of deep affection and connection, resonating with the community’s cultural identity. The hosts respond with appreciation for the artistry and the emotional impact of the presentation. This segment reinforces Akaku’s role in promoting local artists and cultural expression.

• [28:46 → 29:59]
  • • Closing Remarks and New Year’s Wishes

The show concludes with Jason and Ruhi reflecting on the fast-paced, enjoyable broadcast and welcoming Ruhi as a new correspondent and producer. They mention other local artists, such as Lono from Molokai, whose long-standing contributions to Hawaiian music have been featured on Akaku. The hosts encourage continued community involvement with Akaku’s programming and outreach efforts, especially on Molokai. As the broadcast coincides with the New Year transition to 2014, they extend warm wishes to viewers and invite them to share their New Year experiences and feedback. The program closes with an open invitation to the community to engage with Akaku’s media initiatives.

1. 1. 1. Summary

This broadcast from Akaku channel 55 provides a comprehensive snapshot of Maui County’s vibrant community life, blending news, cultural events, educational programming, and environmental awareness. The hosts facilitate local connections through event coverage, youth media participation, and filmmaker salons, fostering a sense of belonging and creative expression. Special attention is given to Molokai’s unique community dynamics through Ruhi Moran’s firsthand experiences and outreach work. The inclusion of marine life updates and artistic showcases enriches the program’s diversity, while closing remarks emphasize ongoing community engagement and celebration of the New Year. Akaku emerges as a pivotal platform nurturing local voices, traditions, and education across the islands.

00:39

Aloha, how are you? I’m Jason Schwartz, and we’re live at 5 on 55 at 5. I’m here with my co-host, Ruhi Moran. Welcome. Hello, everyone. Ruhi is here from Molokai, and you should probably let them know, but she is relatively new to Molokai. You’re visiting your mom?

01:04

Actually, I first visited Molokai in 2006, and then over the years have been visiting again. And then just this year, my husband and I decided to move there in October. Great, great, great. Well, welcome. We’re happy to have you over there. Thank you. It’s a pleasure. We are going to jump to a news break here and a little welcome, and then we’ll be back and we’ll be talking with you. Aloha. See you soon. Akaku is your community resource.

01:32

offering advanced training in digital technology. You’ll find online video and information at your fingertips. Developing new and innovative programming,

02:06

Bringing you live events as they happen throughout Maui County. Akaku, serving you for over 20 years.

02:34

Aloha, I’m Jack Gist with your island news headlines. DT Fleming Beach in Lahaina is reopened after a few shark sightings over the weekend. Ocean safety officials say the water was murky from runoff of a nearby stream. They say they spotted a four-foot hammerhead shark three times on Saturday and believe the runoff might have lured it close to shore.

02:51

Authorities are warning boaters in Hawaii to keep a distance from whales. Whale season is from now through May. Officials are concerned about collisions between whales and vessels with about a dozen happening each year. It’s against the law for vessels to be closer than 100 yards from a whale.

03:06

And $3 million in state funds was released for shoreline improvements to the Honopilani Highway. That includes $1.5 million for tsunami damage in the Ukumahami area. State officials said the work involves additional construction, boulder revetments, and retained structure to restore road shoulders that were damaged in the March 11, 2011 tsunami. I’m Jack Gist with your Island News Headline.

03:33

Hey there. We’re back. You know, we’re going to jump to another segment here. Have you ever heard of First Friday or Fourth Friday? We have in Wailuku and in different towns a gala where vendors get together and music. And we have the Y-Beam kids from here at Akaku going this next First Friday in January into Wailuku. And they’re going to be videotaping. And so you’re going to be seeing some of that coming up.

04:02

We just this last Friday had someone taping in Kihei. In fact, Marty Dredd was at Fourth Friday in Kihei, and we’re going to have a segment and show that. Sound like a good thing? Sounds great. Well, let’s go watch it. We’ll be right back. I’ve been sitting down all night. You need to work it up. It’s cold if you move around.

04:25

You’re going to warm up. So I invite you to pull out someone and dance with them on this dance floor. Folks, put your hands together for Marty Dredd. Come on now. Come on now. Pull it, pull it, pull it, pull it, pull it. Stop it, stop it, stop it. Hold on. Ladies and gentlemen, can you hear this microphone?

04:55

Tonight, as you know, is the one year anniversary of Fourth Friday Kihei. We’re gonna do this first dance for all the volunteers. Let’s have a round of applause for the Fourth Friday volunteers! Let’s do it! Everybody get up!

05:25

Someone told me long ago, there’s a town before the storm. The monkey, hey, it’s been coming for some time. All the sparklers down, I want to know, have you ever seen the rain?

05:59

Yesterday and days before, still forever on it goes. Through the circle, fast and slow. And I know it can’t stop. I wonder. Rhythm, rhythm. One, two, three. I want to know, have you ever seen the rain? All the way in the back. Come on, Grandma.

06:29

All right, just the ladies, females. Just the females, ladies.

06:59

One more time ladies, this is your time to shine. Not in G-Haze. Gentlemen, are you ready? Come on, one, two, three guys.

07:27

Have you ever seen the rain? Have you ever seen the rain coming down on a sunny day?

07:57

Try to put those hands up there, come on. We came to dance tonight, no true? I just wanna dance. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Lively up yourself and don’t be no drag. Lively up yourself, reggae is another thing. Lively up yourself

08:27

Don’t say no. Light me up yourself. Big Daddy say so. You’re what you gonna do. You rock so, you rock so. Like you never did before. You dip so, you dip so. Put your dip in my door. Gang so, it’s gang so. Oh yeah. You come so, you come so. Be alive tonight. And light me

08:55

Thank you.

09:11

Hey, Jason. Yeah. What are these media salons about? Media salons. She’s been reading the notes. We have two upcoming media salons here at Akaku. A salon is where we come and lounge and listen to producers or directors or people who have a lot of experience in the industry. And we’ve got a couple coming up, and that’s going to be our next segment. We’re doing a lot of segments today. Let’s watch that now. That’s exciting. Okay. Okay.

09:45

I started out making films with both a technical and a creative production background. So I had experience in both the technical craft of sound mixing and the creative craft of record production and producing music and producing records. So I felt I had a pretty good handle on the creative process side and on some of the technology.

10:07

Essentially I began as an educational video maker and I was making short educational films and the economics of it were such that I really had to do all the jobs. I really couldn’t afford to

10:25

budget a production and complete it without doing everything i had to write it i had to shoot it i had to edit it and i had to deliver it and also counsel with the client in terms of what they really wanted and realizing their vision realizing their their idea of what they wanted to get across

10:42

And when I went from producing educational videos into documentary films, I pretty much carried the same pro forma with me into the documentary genre and kind of adapted myself to all the different jobs that there are.

11:03

I’ve always lived a life where I’ve been allowed and encouraged to do what I love and do what I want to do. Ever since I was a kid I’ve always been able to select my own classes or pick my own direction or in some way be an autonomous independent person. So that has been sort of my lifestyle for all of my life. So filmmaking is really to me one of the higher expressions of

11:31

choice of choosing what you want to do and doing what you love. I do love what I do. At this point, it’s not as much a

11:41

passion as it is a conviction. It’s something that I am so entrenched in and so a part of that it’s just the momentum of my own life is the filmmaking process. I think my favorite part of making a film is undoubtedly the post-production process. The editing and the music and the piecing it together and shaping and molding the finished product. I think that’s really where I have the most experience and where I have

12:11

over the years spent the most time in the editing chair. It’s somewhat of a meditative process. It’s a long, detailed, complex process of self-reflection and really calls for a kind of objectivity and inner eye that is, I think, what makes the whole creative process of filmmaking satisfying.

12:40

Join us Saturday, January 4th for an Akaku Media Salon with Linda Booker, co-producer of Bringing It Home, a documentary on the historical and industrial uses for hemp. Grown in 31 countries but prohibited in the U.S., the film interviews hemp business leaders and entrepreneurs on the benefits of industrial hemp. Come be inspired and learn more about Linda and her work. It’s free Saturday, January 4th at Akaku. Linda Booker, filmmaker.

13:12

Okay. All right. We’re having too much fun here. You know, when I see that we have two salons coming up, that’s a really nice thing. We get to see and interface with people in the industry. Yeah, meet filmmakers face-to-face. Yeah. It’s wonderful. And we have filmmakers here, but it’s always nice to see what they’re doing outside Maui and kind of be incentive. You were over on Molokai, and are you there in training at Akaku doing anything special? No.

13:41

Well, when I first got started and I was living over in China, actually, for 12 years, and I got started in the business before that over in Austin, Texas, I decided that I wanted to sort of go into documentary, which really fit well with what I was doing over in China. And essentially, when I got to Molokai, the first thing I did was go to Akaku and just try to see what’s going on in the community and how to get involved.

14:09

I’m sure you were welcomed with open arms.

14:11

Yeah, the first thing I wanted to do was make a production. And so I was invited by Daniel, who’s the director there, to look around and see what’s happening in the community. And it just so happened that Saturday there was the parade for the festivals of Aloha. And so I was so excited. I just, you know, checked out a camera and got started and, you know, got a little training. And since I already had experience, he was confident that I could use the camera well. You guys are editing it and getting ready for showing it here, right?

14:41

Yeah, it’s already on the air. You can see it in the Molokai Saturdays. It’s in rotation, and I hope a lot of people are enjoying it. Well, that’s a good thing. Molokai Saturdays, is that on what, 55? Yes, that’s correct.

14:54

Okay, that’s a good thing to know. All day Saturday, pretty much I think from noon until later in the evening, you can catch anything about Molokai. That’s great. In the latest programs. We have a programming director here, Shawn Michael, who makes the time and takes the time to do entertainment from midday Friday to midday Saturday and then focusing on Molokai. Really responsive to our community and giving us what we want, huh?

15:20

Yeah, I appreciate that a lot because being someone who’s new there, I really want to observe and check out what’s happening, what’s going on with the youth, what’s going on culturally, and finding out new and interesting things. I’ve picked up some Hawaiian already. Good. And my second project was with Molokai Stampede. One of the persons who, her name’s Saucy, she puts it together with some other families, and they did the stampede there.

15:49

And it actually rained Saturday and Sunday. But they just put it on because they had people from around the world come in to take part. And it’s such a part of history there and part of the heritage that they didn’t want to give it up. And so I’m very happy to say that they finished all their scheduled activities, except a couple. And they even got some of the keiki involved at the end and had them do roping. And it was just a wonderful community weekend.

16:18

Molokai is a great place, huh? Oh, it’s wonderful. Much more quiet than Maui? You know, this is my first visit to Maui. Nobody believes me, but I’ve never been to Maui before today. Wow. What would you say? Big city? It’s huge by comparison. But living in China is also another scale. I lived in a city called Xi’an, and it was actually, including the surrounding community, about 14 million people.

16:43

So from 14 million to 7,000, about 7,000 plus on Molokai is a totally different experience. Have you been to big cities? You’ve been to big cities, New York, San Francisco. Sure. So those are millions, but this is 14 million people? Right. Does it feel crowded all the time?

17:00

It does and it doesn’t. You know, everybody tends to focus on what they’re doing, you know, going in the city, whether you’re in the countryside. And so you get used to it. It’s just part of life. But living on Molokai, I get to see some of the same faces, make friends a lot faster. One lady even said to me, she’s like, you’re from here, right? And my heart was so warmed by that because I just thought I’m trying really hard to learn as much as I can.

17:28

And be a part of the community as quickly as possible. And I’ve been really welcomed there by Daniel at the access station. And also I volunteer twice a week from two to four during homework help at the Molokai Youth Center. And so I’ve been able to do a lot of outreach and meet youth that way.

17:49

And I do also offer service with the Bully Project. They’ve set up something called Families Against Bullying and also with Hawaiian families as allies. And so I’ve been able to enter the community that way because that’s something that’s close to my heart. That’s great.

18:07

The entire island, really, has been so open, and I feel really happy and really blessed to be here. You’re a welcome addition. Yeah. I can say that for sure, that people of Molokai are happy to have someone like you. Great.

18:22

I just want to add, though, on Akaku, we’re actually going to start doing more outreach on the Molokai. So look for Daniel, look for me, maybe talking at the schools or visiting the youth center and just kind of asking questions and seeing where the youth want to get involved. So he’s already been very connected to that community. So please say hello to us and come over to the office. So all you Molokaians, when you see these guys, stand in front of their cameras and start giving them input. They’d love to have.

18:51

We’re going to do a little report on the whale. There was a whale that came up on a beach in Kihei. Oh. And Ann, who is in our crew, did a little video segment, and that’s what we’re going to go to next. All right? Wonderful. Thank you for being here with me today. It’s my pleasure. Rui Moran. Remember that name. Let’s get to that segment about the whale on the beach in Kihei. Whale. Whale.

19:20

Aloha. I’m Anne Paquen, a community producer with Akaku, here with Willie, the whale whisperer. Aloha, Willie. Aloha. So we’ve had big news yesterday, Christmas Day. You want to tell us what you know of what happened?

19:40

Well, a small pygmy sperm whale washed up on the beach on Cam 2, about seven feet long, and they couldn’t save it, so they euthanized it, I think they called the word. Oh, I didn’t know that. Yeah. The one before this was because it was old and it died, but that’s not the case here. This was—seven feet is not very long.

20:08

for a pygmy sperm whale. The other one that died was 14 to 20 feet, something like that, probably 20 feet. A shark could have bit it. I’m getting more of some kind of sickness or, no, not pollution, just some kind of disease. Pygmy sperm whales are rather old design and ancient type.

20:33

They just have one blowhole. One of the more modern designs here with the humpback have two. Oh, I didn’t know that. And they’re toothed whales, so they eat fish and other things. By biting them rather than the baleen whale, like the humpback gets a mouthful of fish and water and then squeezes the water out through the baleen and then swallows the tiny fish.

21:02

So these smaller whales actually eat bigger fish and can bite them and chew them. Pygmy sperm whales are deep ocean animals. So they can be found anywhere from here to California. And they stay out in the ocean. The only time we see them generally is when they beach.

21:24

Pygmy sperm whale is just a common name for it. The actual name is Cogia brevisseps.

21:36

I’m familiar with these whales. There’s two groups of whales. There’s the baleen whales and the toothed whales. And so it’s over on the toothed whale side with the full-size sperm whales. You were telling me there’s two counts now. First we have a count for around Maui and then around Hawaii. And this is on the humpbacks only.

21:56

833 whales right around Maui, between Maui, Ko’olawe, and Lanai, and Molokai. But for all of Hawaii, there’s about twice as many. Thank you for the whale report this week, Willie the Whale Whisperer. Oh, you’re welcome. Aloha. Aloha.

22:23

Hi. Willie the Whale Whisperer. I know Willie when he was at Maui Electric Company. He is actually an engineer, a solar engineer, and he does great things, but he also has a real sensitivity to the whales. That’s wonderful.

22:42

You know, we have a regular here. Many of you know Chivo Ching Johnson. You see him out in the field as a mobile correspondent, and you see him in here as a host, and you’ve seen him with our own Dana Fulton out there co-hosting. A couple of times you see him here and there. But he has a great-granddaughter named Kavai, and she has been involved in video and film. Oh, I’m really looking forward to this piece. Thanks.

23:07

She’s not that great. She’s a great granddaughter. That’s what it is. I can hear the chuckles. Okay. And she videotaped the Cool Harvest Festival and then did the editing. So we’re all looking forward to seeing that. Oh, fantastic. Okay? Great. So let’s watch that. It’s coming on now.

23:37

Hi Let’s go

24:06

Let’s do it.

24:39

We’ll see you next time.

24:58

I’ll make love to you. Don’t stop it. I’m gonna beat it up as long as you want me to. And baby, if you want me, you got me, girl, as long as this is

25:29

Hi, I’m Miss Debbie. I’m the librarian at Cooler School.

25:43

As long as this is love, you got me, baby. Higher than the moon in the sky, you got me feeling butterflies when I look in your eyes. Cause you know, you know that I want you too, girl. I’m loving everything you do. You’re touching me, buffing me, kissing me, hugging me, squeezing me. Please, baby, believe I’m gonna be the one that loves you better. Yeah, yeah. Cause you know in me, girl, I will never leave you.

26:11

Travel across the world, yeah, baby, just to see you. No matter where, girl, it don’t matter where. No other love like this. No, no, no, no other love like yours. No, no, no other love like this.

26:29

You will always be my queen Love deeper than any ocean and sea Her touch make me weak at the knees Special lovin’ that only come from she, yeah She always fights for me No matter how bad the situation may be She is the right remedy The only prescription I need I can take it to the king, love my lady Cause you on the throne, if you’re ready If you’re ever gonna leave, yes, hey girl

26:58

next to you because

27:18

Thank you. Thank you.

27:45

Yeah, yeah. Jay Book feeds the dog alongside the comic kings representing for the girl. Easy. I can take you to the kingdom, my lady. Yes, you want to go with your age. Never gonna leave you, same girl. Next to you because there is no other.

28:25

Wow, I was riveted to the video. That last thing, I was trying to figure out what that was. It looks like some artwork. It looked like some artwork, like a wave and a tail of a whale at the same time. Oh, yeah, that’s nice. That’s awesome. Well, we’re almost out of show. This was a quick show.

28:46

Quick, quick, quick. We had so much fun. It went by fast. Ruhi Moran. Remember that name? A new correspondent and producer from Molokai. Very good to have you here. Thank you. Well, I hope that you’ll start looking, because we at the Maui Arts and Music Association, we start doing shows both in here and around Maui and Molokai. In fact…

29:05

Lono from Molokai, number one. When you go to dreammaui.org site, you’ll see a song that he has way back when. And he did a song in the opening for our television show. Classic. Now he’s been doing his stuff for years. He’s got Old Style 7, so he’s been into Hawaiian music. Great things. And we’re going to have lots of events. And it’s New Year’s. When we come back, it’s going to be 2014. Whoa.

29:33

Because we’re not having shows Tuesday and Wednesday. Happy New Year. So we want to be sure that all of you know we wish you a Happy New Year. And we hope that you’ll come back and tell us how your New Year’s was. And tell us what you like here on Akaku. And come and be involved with us. Wouldn’t that be good? Oh, I’d love that. Especially on Molokai. We more than welcome you. Happy New Year, eve