Mckenna Maduli

10.24.22

Name: McKenna Manoalani Lee Maduli

Family: I grew up in Kalihi Valley because my dad is from Kalihi Valley. My mom is a Waipahu graduate , she’s a Marauder. I grew up in a big musical family , and my dad was a producer in the entertainment industry.

Occupation: Native Hawaiian Content Specialist for K5, Talk story Host

Educational level: Broadcast Extensions Program, Certificate. Roosevelt

“I had moved home from Texas after being away for 17 years because one of my dad’s brothers had cancer. I had a feeling in my na’au to go home and in 15 minutes I had told my boyfriend that I wanted to move home. When I got home, It just so happened that KHON2 posted a job and I applied and got the job. However, I knew I didn’t want to be the female version of Joe Moore. As great as he is, I didn’t want to be like that with the news, because I wanted to be me. I didn’t want to be a weather girl either, I wanted to be a host. So I started thinking maybe I don’t fit in here and maybe I should just move back to LA. I then decided to meet with Katie Pickman and Rick B. (who were KHON2 managers at the time) to discuss my dilemma. They ended up telling me “we don’t have a job for you but we know Hawaii needs you. Give us two weeks to figure it out and we will hire you.” Hawaii needs you. Hawaii needs you. This reminded me that we are in the most monumental parts of our lives. If I didn’t learn or go through failures, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”


“Being Polynesian has shaped everything that I am today. It has made me so inspired to tell more of our stories and more of the good that we are. We as Polynesians, have unlimited Talent and boundless vision, people are looking to us now on how to live. My Hawaiian culture has shaped every part of my being.

The advice I have for the upcoming generation is…

1. Remember to validate from within. Our piko and our blood, everything that we need to be inspired is already within us.

2.Ka wā ma mua ka wā ma hope, you are not going to know where you are going unless you know your past.

3. When you give someone kuleana, you awaken their mana.”

We as Polynesians, have unlimited talent and boundless vision, people are looking to us now on how to live."