A Genius With Trailblazing Musical Ideas: Remembering Talk Talks Mark Hollis Dig!

McKenna Maduli is the creator and host of the Emmy Award-winning “Talk Story with McKenna Maduli,” a weekly Hawaiian variety show that airs on Hawaii News Now (KHNL/KGMB) in Honolulu. The show is a realization of her life-long dream to uplift Hawaiʻi through the lens of media. Talk Story celebrates Hawaiʻi’s diverse entertainment landscape by highlighting island talent in music, fashion, art, hula and Hawaiian culture. “After twenty years on the mainland, I am incredibly blessed to be able to be back home, sharing the stories of Hawai’i through our talented people and culture,” Maduli said. “I’ve been rejected, failed, succeeded, learned and made many mistakes – all building my path back to Hawai’i, where I feel the most authentically connected to the stories.” Legends were a way of documenting history, knowledge, facts and beliefs from generation to generation.

Friese-Greene never performed live with Talk Talk, but he played an influential Brian Eno-esque role during recording sessions. He encouraged the band to use more organic instrumentation instead of synthesisers, and supported Hollis’ desire to write more introspective and impactful songs. He also suggested that Hollis, Harris and Webb extend their jeffgere.com line-up, bringing in skilled studio alumni, including keyboardist Ian Curnow and Pretenders guitarist Robbie McIntosh, to play on future recordings.

Talk Story with Paul Togioka

But, he said, he is open to working with Democrats to pass legislation that would ensure Dreamers — undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. as children — would be able to remain in the country. President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview with “Meet the Press” moderator Kristen Welker that “you have no choice” but to deport everyone who is illegally in the U.S., including possibly removing the American citizen family members of those deported. “You know, get my name out on the stage a little bit more. I don’t feel like publicity is bad, especially if you’re not saying anything.

Whether you are the operational leader of your household, a business leader, or a recognized community leader, this isn’t just about inspiration, it’s about action – as who you were created. Throughout her time in Los Angeles she interned at KABC with George Pennacchio, gaining valuable experience in both hard & entertainment news. Maduli honed her skills as an entertainment reporter for the likes of NBC’s Access Hollywood, MTV, VH1 and Billboard Magazine’s “Billboard Live.” Through high profile award shows, events and red carpet premieres, she had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest celebrities in the world. Despite her growing success in Hollywood, however, her heart was yearning to return home.

How to watch Jason Kelce’s new late-night talk show

After 14 years in Hollywood, Maduli answered the call and returned to Hawaiʻi in 2016 where she joined KHON2 (FOX) as the Weekend Weather Anchor and morning news reporter on WakeUp2Day. Two years later she left weather to create a position in Local Content Development at Hawaii News Now (CBS & NBC). The opportunity allowed her to realize her true passion—cultivating unique Hawaiʻi content that uplifts the local community.

Cultural Literacy & Identity

Host Manulele Clarke interviewed Keola Beamer in March of 2001 at KKCR’s studio, Princeville Hawaiʻi. ​When I talk story on this blog, I will be sharing personal experiences from my youth. I may also use Talk Story for giving the backstory for the particular post. Born and raised on the island of Oʻahu, Maduli was immersed in the entertainment industry through her parents’ music and production endeavors, as well as her own performance experience as a young hula dancer. After graduating from Roosevelt High School, she ventured to California to attend Foothill College in San Francisco before moving to Los Angeles to pursue the Broadcast Entertainment program at UCLA Extension.