KSM video production students honored by PBS while engaged in distance learning

Oct. 28, 2020

Contributed by Lisa Kubota

Award-winning video production students at Kamehameha Schools Maui Middle School recently received recognition from PBS Hawaiʻi for their outstanding work, including a story filmed on a cell phone while haumāna were engaged in distance learning.

The team earned the distinction of producing the most content during the last school year for HIKI NŌ, the public television station’s weekly news show that showcases stories produced mainly by local high school and middle school students. Season 11 featured content from about 70 campuses statewide.

“I know how much hard work was put into the stories, so being recognized for that was really rewarding to me,” said video production student Emi Wunder, who is now a freshman.

KSM Middle School contributed seven stories and hosted one show at its scenic Pukalani campus. The final project, which put the team in the number one spot, was filmed during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Fourteen-year-old Kailea Tuitele used her cell phone to shoot a story about how her ‘ohana enjoyed quality time together at home during the statewide stay-at-home order.

“We like to find different songs to sing and have our dad (KSM Elementary School music kumu Clarke Tuitele KSK’92) do magic for us,” she said.

With participants unable to work together on campus, Student Reflections became HIKI NŌ’s main content for that round of shows.

“It really created a new genre of HIKI NŌ story – point of view; still journalism, but the students talking about what they’re experiencing, what their family is going through,” explained HIKO NŌ Executive Producer Robert Pennybacker. “We found it extremely informative and really great content.”

While KSM Middle School isn’t offering a HIKI NŌ class this semester, technology kumu Rob Siarot still provides virtual lessons on storytelling and editing to interested students. He said haumāna learn about much more than just video production.

“It’s the teamwork, it’s meeting deadlines, which is very important. It’s collaboration,” Siarot said. “It’s all these intangibles wrapped up into one, that’s transferable to any occupation.”

KSM Middle School’s next Student Reflection will air in the November 5, 2020 episode of HIKI NŌ at 7:30 p.m. on PBS Hawaiʻi.

KS Maui teachers Rob Siarot and Candis Nishimitsu traveled to PBS Hawaiʻi in February with students Kadence Merritt, Emi Wunder, Kaila Foster, and Kailea Tuitele to receive an award.

Students interviewed KS Sustainability and ‘Āina-Based Learning Designer and Facilitator Hōkūao Pellegrino last fall for their HIKI NŌ story on the KS Maui poi mill.