Some of our earliest childhood “friends” likely had names like Oscar, Ernie, Bert and Cookie Monster. Chances are, we had the same friends. They were just some of the “people in our neighborhood” that helped us connect with each other and our communities, expanding our views of each other and of our world.
That connection is at the core of who we are and what we do at PBS Hawaiʻi. Our Keiki Club has been around for generations, bringing together children, who become parents, even grandparents, one-time strangers united by their love for the programming and characters that define early childhood.
PBS Kids programming has unique ways of connecting with children and families, opening up opportunities and doors at home and beyond.
“If not for Daniel Tiger and PBS Hawaiʻi, we would be lost,” says Jeannie Lum, whose daughter Eliana is learning to process complex emotions and communicate more clearly thanks to her favorite program, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.
Eliana is on the autism spectrum and is finding her voice thanks to Daniel Tiger and his friends. “Having Eliana discover tools like this made me realize there’s hope and there’s not much to be afraid of. They can learn in their own way, on their own time, and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is one those things that will bridge the gap,” shared Eliana’s dad, Lambert.
“PBS Hawaiʻi has provided a bridge for our family to communicate and connect,” added Jeannie, tearfully.
The impact is priceless for families like Eliana’s and more, with each finding the resources and support system they need in what may feel like an unlikely source.
Carl the Collector is another family favorite. It follows the adventures of Carl, a warm-hearted raccoon with autism who enjoys collecting things. He pays close attention to detail and comes up with ideas that others might not consider, which come in handy when it comes to solving problems around his neighborhood.
A playful trio of marsupial siblings living in a fantastical treehouse apartment complex with wombats, snakes, moose, kangaroos, iguanas, and eagles work with their neighbors to share ideas, skills, abilities, traditions and different ways of thinking in Work It Out WOMBATS!
One of the newest programs for keiki is Weather Hunters, a new series from weatherman Al Roker’s production company. The show supports children’s learning about Earth Science and meteorology and cultivates awareness and curiosity about how weather and climate impact individuals, communities and society.
The PBS Hawaiʻi Keiki Club is a perfect introduction to all that PBS has to offer the children in our community. It’s open to children up to age 12 and offers families an opportunity to support PBS Hawaiʻi while enjoying special benefits and activities. Keiki Club members receive a birthday shout-out on air on PBS Hawaiʻi and exclusive invitations to members-only events, screenings, or family activities. They also have access to kid-friendly podcasts, streaming programming of your favorite shows (past and present), apps and games! PBS Hawaiʻi and PBS also provide access to PBS LearningMedia, which includes carefully curated FREE curriculum-aligned videos, interactive lessons, lesson plans and more for students from preschool through high school.
At PBS Hawaiʻi, we are driven by our commitment to sharing the stories of our community and our culture, as we have been for 60 years. Our children represent our next generation of storytellers, and we believe in fostering that passion as they grow and learn.
HIKI NŌ, which means “CAN DO” in Hawaiian, provides the perfect platform for local students from elementary to high school to seek out and share the stories that resonate with them, to bring their vision and their work to life. For 14 years, HIKI NŌ has been teaching students from dozens of schools across Hawaiʻi how to create PBS-quality news features that reach a statewide audience on PBS Hawaiʻi and a worldwide audience on pbshawaii.org. The sense of pride they feel in themselves and their work is priceless and in many cases, life-changing. HIKI NŌ helps these students acquire the life skills they need to succeed in college and their future careers.
“It really taught me about collaboration,” says Kiara Haid, a HIKI NŌ alumnae who is now part of the production team at PBS Hawaiʻi. “I also learned a lot about how to develop your story, how to organize it, how to tell an effective story.”
“PBS Hawaiʻi has given me the stepping stones to reach the career goals that I want to reach in life,” explains Jacqueline Cano. “It is incredible that as a local kid, as you know, Kanaka Maoli, as well, that we are able to stay in Hawaiʻi and have these opportunities to learn about filmmaking, to learn about videography.”
Connecting with the stories and the communities of this place we call home is what keeps us grounded and drives us each day at PBS Hawaiʻi. We are here because of our community. We are here for our community. We are here for you.
