(BIVN) – Nā Leo TV’s first Live TV Fund Drive raised more than $58,000 in community and leadership gifts, “while bringing together local talent, volunteers, and storytellers for an unprecedented 16-hour broadcast”, station management says.
The Live TV Fund Drive was held on October 8 and October 9, and was the “largest and most technically complex live production in Nā Leo’s history.”
The event was co-hosted by Nā Leo President and CEO Ashley Kierkiewicz and local comedian Heston Kaʻaihue. The effort involved 18 staff and casual hires, more than 20 volunteers, and 55 volunteer performers and community guests.
From a Nā Leo TV news release:
The broadcast featured live music by The Hilo Honeys, Kaikena Scanlan, Drew Daniels, Diego Gutierrez, and Beyond the Mic artists Kona Town’s Finest and Bridge Hartman. Other highlights included Puna Taiko, Jackie Pualani Johnson, Project Happy Chair, magic by Karl Sunagawa, Senior Fit with Harriet Rocha, a community paramedicine podcast with Chief Daniel Volpe, a creative industries podcast with R&D Director Benson Medina, cooking demonstrations, and a youth podcast featuring Nā Leo interns and national media award winners.
Behind the scenes, Nā Leo’s production team transformed its Hilo facility into a fully connected television operation. More than 3,000 feet of audio, video, and network cabling linked multiple studios, podcast spaces, and a kitchen, integrating 18 video feeds, four video switchers, and two 32-channel audio mixers. Programming was broadcast simultaneously on television and online.
“I’m so proud of what our team accomplished,” said Kierkiewicz. “There was so much planning, problem-solving, and technical coordination behind those 16 hours. We had people new to live production working alongside experienced crew members, learning and figuring things out on the fly. And that’s what we want Nā Leo to be – a place where people can gain real experience, build confidence, and develop skills that open doors to new opportunities.”
The Fund Drive also marked the launch of Friends of NLTV, a membership program inviting the community to help sustain and expand media education, original programming, creative workforce development, and local storytelling.
As traditional cable television revenues decline, Nā Leo is working to diversify its funding and build a sustainable future rooted in community support. Through October, new Friends can select limited-edition T-shirts featuring original designs by local artists.
“What meant the most was seeing how many people wanted to be part of this,” Kierkiewicz added. “People showed up to perform, volunteer, share their stories, donate, and cheer us on. Raising more than $58,000 during our first Fund Drive is a tremendous start, but just as important are the relationships we built and the excitement about what comes next. Community media is about giving people the tools, skills, and platforms to tell their own stories. We want to keep building on that momentum and creating more ways for our community to learn, connect, and create right here at home.”
To watch or revisit highlights from the Fund Drive, become a Friend of NLTV, or make a contribution, visit naleo.tv/friend.
