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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, September 22, 2005

Oceanic traveling far to televise rivalry

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

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In its 17th season of broadcasting O'ahu Interscholastic Association football, OC16 is going outside the box. Or in this case, away from its traditional broadcasting venues of Aloha Stadium and Mililani High.

Tomorrow night, OC16 is taking its production to the North Shore to broadcast the Kailua at Kahuku game. Kickoff for the live telecast is 7 p.m.

OC16 was looking for the best match, said Mitzi Lehano, vice president of programming for Oceanic Time Warner Cable. The Kahuku-Kailua game has been traditionally a strong rivalry. But the station also wanted to reach out to the communities.

"Not only the fact (that Kahuku) is one of the winningest teams in the last decade, but more important, they have shown such a swell of support whenever they have to go the farthest, to the stadium or otherwise," Lehano said. "We just felt it was time for us to go out into these communities, whether it's Kahuku, Wai'anae, or wher-ever."

OC16 also will broadcast the Mililani at Leilehua game on Oct. 8.

"The whole community is very excited," Kahuku athletic director Joe Whitford said. "It's great we can showcase our program. We have a brand new scoreboard and our field is in top shape. It's green and soft."

Lehano said there will be logistical challenges. The lighting at school fields are not as bright as the stadium's. Also, a much smaller press box might be a squeeze for its broadcast crew.

"This is the first time we're doing this, so we're nervous and excited at the same time," said Lehano.

Lehano said widespread fiber connections make it possible for OC16 to broadcast from different areas of the island.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.