Date: Sun, 03 Dec 2000 10:49:44 -1000
From: Jeff Garland
Organization: World 'O Vidiots
To: "Keali'i Lopez"
CC: "'Olelo Board Chair" , DCCA Director Kathryn Matayoshi , Governor Ben Cayetano , Maralyn Yoza , FCC Ben Golant , Rene Mansho
Subject: discrimination ?
 
 

Dear Keali'i,

     It appears if one is privileged enough to get their show on channel 53 in the first place they will be guaranteed plenty of air dates as witnessed by the incredible amount of repeats on the channel compared to the other 4.

     I have seen the same program on Channels 53 & 55 over 10 times within the past two weeks (not to mention the whole list of others on just 53). The show is "Health Conference  Oct. 19, 2000" with Kawaikapuokalani K. Hewett, Cultural Director - Waimanalo Health Center about natural hawaiian cultural healing etc. and is not "Timely" in any sense of the term you normally use. It has aired almost everyday before &/or after the schedule begins and ends for 53 (on your website) or on 55 which has hardly any scheduling to speak of on weekends and when the control of the playback is given back to you at 'Olelo from UH. It would appear you are doing this knowing that there is no documented scheduling of it available to the public without a subpoena of your playback records. This same sort of preferential treatment is being given to 'Olelo produced shows as well as "Hokule'a; Guiding Star" and other Hawaiian issue oriented programs done without using 'Olelo facilities or done on Islands other than O'ahu. This of course gives the appearance you are using deceptive practices. This, as you are well aware, has been an ongoing concern of many clients, dating back to '92 and before. It appears to be more prevalent since the "Native" channel came into being (without an opportunity for public input on that decision might I add). Please keep in mind always that the CTPA advocated for years for a Hawaiian Issues channel, but never advocated for one of the public channels be eliminated for it !

     You know the show concerning Waimea Valley's purchase by the city concerns issues which are in the midst of planning and legislation which I would consider most "timely". The show concerning Waimea has had very little airplay (only 3 advance scheduled within time frame requested) and got only one prime time premier slot, the rest were at times that most people can't watch. I would consider this show "Indigenous Issues" especially due to the pleas within for more Indigenous Hawaiian involvement, not to mention the fact Waimea Valley is the last in-tact aha pua'a in the entire state. Apparently it has been refused any time slots on 53 as it was requested in writing on the Playback request form. Despite attempts to get an explanation, the show still has to air on 53 and no written response has been given for it being rejected for air on 53 to my knowledge to date though it was requested in writing. As this would appear to be flagrant discrimination due to the fact that the producers of this show are Caucasian, not to mention Ms. McGregor's treatment of me, might I suggest you and Tomoko respond in writing (e-mail is preferred) immediately to the question at hand to avoid any misconceptions that could arise due to the appearance of this situation. A phone response at this point is unacceptable as this is a very serious matter and needs documentation which will hopefully end this apparent discriminatory activity in the future.

Again, the questions at hand:
 

1) Why was the Waimea Valley show not scheduled on channel 53 ?

2) Why hasn't the question been responded to in writing yet as per requested ?

3) What is the process to get shows to air on 53?

4) Who takes responsibility for which shows get more repeats than others?

5) What is the process for getting considered for more repeats than others?

6) Who decides what is more in the public interest? Who takes responsibility for the decision?

7) Why is 'Olelo creating programs, especially in light of their current Mission Statement, Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation saying  they are supposed to train people to create programs, not create programs themselves (until the proposed changes to the Mission Statement are voted on) ?

Very Sincerely,

Jeff Garland

P.S. You still have not responded in writing to why my playback request of October 11, 2000 for "Visionaries: Ralph Nader" was ignored, as the show was not rescheduled before the requested date of Nov. 7, 2000. I also have yet to get a written explanation why I am continually given schedules of my shows only after they have already premiered on their single prime time air date, even though the request has been made in writing on the top of each playback request form. Only a written response is acceptable in regards to these matters, phone responses to these are unacceptable as well.
--
Jeff Garland
Hawaii Public Access Media
http://hpam.hi.net

"The restriction of knowledge to an elite group
 destroys the spirit of society and leads to its
           intellectual impoverishment."

               --  Albert Einstein  --
 

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