Daniel ‘Danny’ Weiss, Akakū’s new Maui Community Media Marketing Manager, is a team player with a passion for building community relationships. With an arts and sciences outlook, Weiss, a mulit-media storyteller and dedicated environmentalist, conservationist, endangered animal rights documentarian, and social justice advocate, is a perfect fit for Akakū.

An independent, non-profit corporation established in 1992, Akakū promotes the creation of media by, for, and about the community. They are staffed with a highly trained group of veteran media professionals and technicians in the film, video, television and radio fields. Programing three local cable television channels, 53, 54, and 55, Akakū serves its audiences on Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Additionally, their public radio station, KAKU 88.5 FM, ‘The Voice of Maui’, is a vital community resource for independent news, commentaries and music.

“Akakū is the place where every Maui Nui resident can have a voice and showcase the diversity of our islands,” Weiss said. “It’s a place to discuss, to innovate, and to bring media literacy and civic engagement to the people. Our mission, to ‘Empower the Community’s Voice Through Access to Media’, is more important now than ever to preserve and enhance our culture and heritage.”

A beacon of free speech, Akakū provides production services, facility and equipment rentals, education and training initiatives, and information to residents on topical issues with Maui Nui’s only televised (and award-winning) news program, The Maui Daily. “On the best islands in the world, where anyone can come and talk story, Akakū is the place people go to produce and submit video on just about anything,” said Weiss. “Most of it is local. All of it is non-discriminatory, non-commercial, uncensored and unfiltered.”

The popular community event Akakū Upstairs is an ongoing public engagement, held in their second-floor suite in Kahului. Weiss explained, “By featuring a variety of events with speakers, screenings, panels, and workshops, our goal is to elevate community and conversation through this free salon series every Third Thursday of the month. There is no admission fee, but with our limited seating, registration is required. We hope members of the community will continue to join us.”