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URGENT! Hawaiian issues and programming are about to be severely compromised.

Aloha kakou,

The Oceanic Time Warner franchise is up for renewal and their application has requests and issues that profoundly impact us. Olelo Community Media is fighting for its viability and the existence of community access (PEG) right now. The Oceanic Time Warner franchise renewal application has requests and issues that profoundly impact us. You can help.

Hawaii is one of the most lucrative markets for Time Warner. They will be making billions of dollars over the next twenty years in exchange for using our Public Right of Way. Yet, currently Olelo gets less than 3% of only the Time Warner cable subscription portion of revenues. This does not include Oceanic’s other profit generating services.

Time Warner is not planning to use a penny of their enormous profits to upgrade our community access network and improve your services. We desperately need to do this. Yet, they are aggressively moving ahead with new technology to generate more money for themselves.

Check this out for more information:

http://www.hawaiianindependencealliance.org/olelo/

Call 721-3392 for more information.

You are receiving this important letter because we urgently need your help. Olelo local access television is fighting for its life right now.

The Oceanic Time Warner franchise is up for renewal and their application has requests and issues that profoundly impact us. Olelo is fighting for its viability and existence of community access (PEG) right now. The Oceanic Time Warner franchise renewal application has requests and issues that profoundly impact us. You can help.

Hawaii is one of the most lucrative markets for Time Warner. They will be making billion s of dollars over the next twenty years in exchange for using our Public Right of Way.

Yet, currently Olelo gets less than 3% of only the Time Warner cable subscription portion of revenues. This does not include Oceanic’s other profit generating services.

Here’s what’s about to change that will profoundly affect Olelo –

The Hawaii Education Network Consortium (HENC) is asking for one-third of Olelo's funding. That means under the renewal agreement, Olelo’s funding would be radically reduced. If this were to occur, Olelo would have to close several CMC's.

Time Warner is not planning to use a penny of their enormous profits to upgrade Olelo equipment. Yet we desperately need to do this.

Here’s how you can help -

1. Please write a letter to the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs addressing some of the following points in your letter.

Consider addressing some of the following points in your letters -

Demand that the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA) include provisions for a review of PEG access services every 5 years. This will insure our services keep pace with technology. Do not give Oceanic the 20-year contract they are requesting. They have not offered to provide additional funding for Olelo to upgrade its network and equipment and stay current with current technology. Funding <http://www.hawaiianindependencealliance.org/olelo/funding.html>

Keep PEG – Public, Education, Government together. Many consider Olelo on Oahu, the number one public access facility in the nation. A big reason for this ranking is because PEG is together and this protects the Public portion. The Hawaii Education Network Consortium (HENC) is asking for a one-third of Olelo's funding. They also want a separation from PEG. If this were to occur, Olelo would have to close several CMC's. Education <http://www.hawaiianindependencealliance.org/olelo/education.html>

Request an inter-island high capacity broadband network. This can create video conferencing between islands. Such access can eliminate the need for air travel for studio guest appearances, provides easy public access for legislative testimony, and open entry to needed meetings. Connectivity <http://www.hawaiianindependencealliance.org/olelo/connectivity.html>

Provide Community Media Centers like Palolo the capability to transmit live television. Live programming allows for current and alternative news with interactive call in shows. Services <http://www.hawaiianindependen cealliance.org/olelo/services.html>

Retain our current six channels allocated for Oahu community access and provide for at least two more channels that are common to all islands. Channel numbers provided for community access should as low as possible and adjacent to local broadcast channels. Many Olelo viewers are initially attracted to Olelo programming by channel surfing and therefore the channels need to be easily accessible. This would be perceived by viewers as the local broadcast series of channels. Channels <http://www.hawaiianindependencealliance.org/olelo/channels.html>

Please go to our Olelo website <http://www.olelo.org/> for more information and a brief overview of the Franchise Renewal Process <http://olelo.org/news_franchise_renewal.htm>

Deadline for letters is September 18th. Send it by email, fax or mail. DCCA <http://www.hawaiianindependencealliance.org/olelo/dcca.html>

2. Attend the DCCA hearing on September 15th, 5PM to 8PM at McKinley High School. Volunteers will be picketing with signs on King Street from 4PM to 6PM.

3. Write a short, concise letter to the editor

4. Ask for support from your friends and everyone in your network with this effort on all points.

This will be Hawaii's only opportunity to secure the funding to provide the technological improvements necessary to insure the continued success of community access in the coming years.

Please help us today.

Mahalo for your support,

Friends of Palolo CMC Committee - Lynette Cruz, Dee Texidor, Del Cloe, Donna Burns