HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) \u2014 The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will not explore the purchase of a Hawai\u02bbi television station, its Board of Trustees voted Thursday.<\/p>\n
The proposal would have approved $172,000 for confidential due diligence tied to a potential acquisition of KITV and its sister station, KIKU. Allen Media Group bought KITV in 2020 for $30 million and later acquired KIKU for $2 million.<\/p>\n
A majority of board members voted down the measure, saying OHA has other priorities, including development projects in Kaka\u02bbako-Makai and Iwilei.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think personally that this is the time for OHA to embrace a new industry, one that is fairly complex, one that would be liabilities financially. Instead our plate is full,\u201d said Keli\u02bbi Akina, an at-large trustee.<\/p>\n
Board chair Kaiali\u02bbi Kahele supported the proposal, saying it was aimed at elevating Native Hawaiian voices in a changing media landscape when Hawaiian programs are under the threat of federal funding cuts. He said the board is looking at international models like M\u0101ori TV in Aotearoa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to expand that voice and issue to a broader cross-section of our community that are not Native Hawaiian. That was the point of this and if we want to move that the needle on those issues, we need broad public support,\u201d Kahele said.<\/p>\n
The OHA board approved spending up to $250,000 to broadcast a congressional district one debate and up to three OHA candidate forums.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really important for our people and the voting public and those that are interested in voting here in Hawaii to know why OHA was created as well as what our mission is and how that is in alignment with our strategic plan and to hear the vision of candidates that want to share their mana\u02bbo on that,\u201d said O\u02bbahu truste Kalei Akaka.<\/p>\n
The debate and forums would be on or around July 20 on Hawaii News Now, before primary election ballots are mailed.<\/p>\n
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