Here are members of PBS Hawaii's Board of Directors who took viewers' phone calls of support tonight (Dec. 3, 2012) during a broadcast of GREAT PERFORMANCES Rod Stewart: Merry Christmas Baby.
Board member Ian Kitajima (second row, far right), a social media whiz and marketing manager for the problem-solving company Oceanit, had never hosted a live TV show before. He said he was surprised to be asked. But he decided he was game to give it a shot. He had a tight schedule, hurrying from Kona to our studio in Honolulu, and he pulled out a suit for this. Fellow Board member Jimmy Borges stepped in to help him knot an elegant "two dimple" tie.
Ian did a smooth job! Live TV is often unpredictable--and asking for money isn't the easiest thing in the world, either. Ian said it wasn't a problem seeking money for a cause in which he believes--but the TV part gave him pause. He couldn't believe how fast the time went because there was so much new to him to think about. (What camera should he look at? How does he transition to the next speaker? What's his follow-up question? What did the show producer just say in his earpiece? etc.)
I was Ian's co-host and he was a joy--he managed to be natural in an unnatural setting of bright lights and industrial cables. It helps to like what you're doing--and members of PBS Hawaii's Board of Directors had a good time watching the show, talking with viewers from different parts of the state, and enjoying each other and the experience.
From left to right, participating Board members are, first row: Jean Kiyabu, Gayle Harimoto, Joan Husted, (me), Marissa Sandblom, and Jackson Nakasone; second row: Dr. Keiki-Pua Dancil, Cameron Nekota, David Watumull, Jimmy Borges, Board Chair Robbie Alm, and Ian.
Great job Ian. Our young people are grateful for all your support for PBS. It's an important investment in their -- and our collective future.
Posted by: Sustainable Hawaii Youth Leadership Initiative | December 05, 2012 at 08:27 AM