About Us

Kuleana

Creating, Collecting, Curating, and Sharing Stories by Hawaiʻi, for Hawaiʻi, to Hawaiʻi…

Who We Are

ʻŌlelo Community Media is a non-profit organization providing access to education, production, and distribution to teach, entertain, and inform. ʻŌlelo empowers our communities to share their stories using the powerful medium of video. Guided by our kuleana of teamwork, integrity, and aloha, we facilitate meaningful dialogue and increased participation in civic life.

Launched in 1989 as Oʻahu’s non-profit community Public, Education, and Government (PEG) access provider, ʻŌlelo began as a public forum to share ideas, opinions, and stories.

Since then, ʻŌlelo has evolved, keeping pace with a constantly changing world and taking its original PEG access well into the 21st century. Today, we are more than just airtime on Oʻahu cable channels; we provide access to innovative technology, media training, state-of-the-art video and cablecast equipment, and facilities to create and deliver non-commercial programming. ʻŌlelo goes beyond the constraints of traditional television: we broadcast and stream community programming on high-quality distribution equipment through numerous online and social media platforms, as well as ʻŌlelonet on Demand.

Looking to the future, ʻŌlelo is also helping to guide our next and future generations by working with schools, educators, and students. Visual media offers a powerful way for students to express themselves and their ideas, and in doing so, we engage them in our dialogues and give them an outlet to have their say in our collective future.

From government productions and community events to educational engagements with teachers and students and workforce development initiatives, ʻŌlelo encourages people to connect ourselves with those around the islands and around the world. Conversations that we need to build and shape our collective future.

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Board of Directors

Sandy Harjo-Livingston

Dr. Alexandra "Sandy" Harjo-Livingston

Director

Two Spirit, nonbinary filmmaker and community advocate of Cherokee and Creek descent. Co-founder of Sa'Ke Film Group and reporter for KHON2 News in Honolulu.

Olin Lagon

Olin Kealoha Lagon

Chair

Native Hawaiian social entrepreneur, inventor, and community advocate. Co-founder of Purple Maiʻa Foundation and Shifted Energy, empowering underserved youth through technology and innovation.

Yvette Maskrey

Yvette Maskrey

Director

VP of Corporate Development at The Solaray Corporation. Over 30 years in clean energy and water conservation, leading utility programs across Hawaiʻi, Idaho, and California.

William Meyer

William G. Meyer III

Director

Principal at Settle Meyer Law with over four decades specializing in intellectual property, entertainment, real estate, and business law. Named to Hawaiʻi Super Lawyers for 17 consecutive years.

Deborah Morita

Deborah Morita

Secretary

Educator in Hawaiʻi for over 30 years. Teaches Creative Media Arts at Hawaiʻi Technology Academy, empowering students through hands-on media production.

Leianne Pedro

Leianne "Lei" Pedro

Director

Publisher and Market President of Pacific Business News since 2024. Native Hawaiian committed to representing Hawaiʻi's diverse communities and expanding regional engagement.

Robert Piper

Robert N.E. Piper, Esq., MBA

Director

Executive Director of the Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP). Former Deputy Director of Budget and Finance for Hawaiʻi state government.

Quincy Solano

Quincy Solano

Director

Information specialist and digital strategist recognized for innovative use of technology in marketing and communications, helping organizations enhance brand visibility and digital adaptability.

Sean Spencer

Sean K. Spencer

Director

VP and Commercial Account Executive at King & Neel Pacific. Over 30 years in insurance, surety, and risk management across construction, hospitality, healthcare, and retail.

Edward Sun

Edward B.T. Sun

Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair

Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Sun Global Broadband. Over 40 years pioneering wireless infrastructure and smart city technologies across Hawaiʻi and the Asia-Pacific.

Jim Taylor

Jim "Jimbo" Taylor

Director

A valued member of the ʻŌlelo Community Media team, contributing to the organization's mission of accessible, community-driven media across Hawaiʻi.

John Waihee III

John David Waiheʻe III

Vice Chair

Fourth Governor of Hawaiʻi (1986–1994) and the first person of Native Hawaiian descent elected governor of any U.S. state. Champion of Native Hawaiian rights and cultural recognition.

Leadership Team

Wes Akamine

Wes Akamine

Director of Operations and Project Management

Experienced media and community engagement professional with expertise in client services, live studio production, curriculum development, and volunteer program management.

Roger McKeague

Roger McKeague

President & Chief Executive Officer

Leads ʻŌlelo's mission to provide community members with accessible tools, training, and platforms for storytelling, civic engagement, and media literacy since 2021.

Melanie Salvador

Melanie Salvador

Finance and Risk Management Director

Responsible for all accounting and finance activities with over 35 years of experience in capital budgeting, forecasting, audits, risk management, and human resources.

Russell Yamanoha

Russell Yamanoha

Director of Government Relations & Productions

Bridges civic engagement and media production, ensuring government proceedings and community stories are accessible and transparent to the people of Hawaiʻi.

Todd Yamamoto

Todd Yamamoto

Director of Technology

Over 18 years in IT, broadcast distribution technology, project management, and network infrastructure. Sets technology strategy and oversees cybersecurity and broadcast engineering.