Award-Winning Multimedia Program Offers Exciting Opportunities for Students
Wai‘anae High School.
Source: CZM Hawai‘iWai‘anae High School is home to Searider Productions, a multimedia communications program created in 1993 that has provided thousands of Wai‘anae students with unique opportunities in media and film. The multimedia program combines a school newspaper, yearbook, and web site with digital video and audio recording facilities. The high school's multimedia program is the largest of its kind in Hawai‘i's public schools, serving 300 students at a time. The center is known for its high-quality student productions, which have garnered awards in nationwide student competitions as well as in State video competitions open to the entire public.
In 2002 and 2003, the multimedia center received a federal grant of $400,000 and $200,000 in media equipment donated by Ko Olina Charities. The funding was used to provide a state-of-the-art upgrade in the center's facilities. It now features a studio set, control room, an array of digital media and video equipment, and air conditioning.
The program hones students' writing skills while it familiarizes them with high-technology equipment. Each news story is written for the student newspaper before being filmed for broadcast on the school's half-hour news show. In fact, the program's newspaper, Ka Leo O Wai‘anae, was one of two papers awarded best high school newspaper in the state in the 35 th Annual Hawai‘i High School Journalism Contest in 2004.
Searider Productions provides extraordinary opportunities for the young people of Wai‘anae High School to learn professional skills that they can carry with them after high school. In the 2003-2004 school year, Ka Leo O Wai‘anae expanded its coverage and distribution beyond the high school to include the Wai‘anae coast community. Searider Productions' video program has recently acquired several commercial clients, including Ko Olina Resort and HMSA. These projects provide real-world experience as well as great exposure for talented students.
Related References
American City Business Journals, Inc. 2003. Governor to Tour New Waianae Media Center. Pacific Business News. November 4, 2003. Honolulu, HI. http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/stories/2003/11/03/daily34.html
Essoyan, S. 2002. Waianae Video Program Helps Students Stand Out. Honolulu Star-Bulletin. December 23, 2002. Honolulu, HI. http://starbulletin.com/2002/12/23/news/story3.html
Waianae High School. 2004. Ka Leo O Waianae (The Voice of Waianae). Searider Productions. http://www.seariderproductions.com/kaleoproject.html
