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TheBuzz Erika Engle |
A television milestone for
not-yet golden girl EmmeLOCAL TV producer Emme Tomimbang marked the 10th anniversary of her departure from the Channel 2 News by returning to KHON last night.
Tomimbang left the news business to start her own business, Emme Tomimbang Multi-Media Enterprises Inc., in 1994.
"Emme's Island Moments" debuted with segments on homegrown Hollywood actor-turned-farmer Jason Scott Lee, the band Hapa and surfer Rell Sunn. Last night's show caught up with Lee and the reconfigured Hapa and paid tribute to the late Sunn, who died of cancer.
"It was my way of going full-circle," Tomimbang said.
"Emme's Island Moments" uses archival scenes, but "will be nothing like a re-run," Tomimbang said. "We're looking back, to see where they are now." The show schedule is posted at www.emmeinc.com. Five hour-long specials will air in prime time and a 90-minute show will run after the World Series.
Tomimbang's other show has been picked up by KGMB-TV for a 13-week run at 5 p.m. Saturdays beginning April 10. "Emme's Island Living" is focused on celebrities' efforts to make healthier choices.
"We want to air it again because the shows are worth seeing and we want to do it again to attract a larger audience," according to Rick Blangiardi, senior vice president for Emmis Communications Corp. The company owns KGMB and KHON.
"I've learned more about television in the last 10 years than in the last 20," Tomimbang said. The on-camera learning got serious with her 1975 start as a KITV reporter and anchor. Since then, "I've had to force myself to learn the business end," she said.
Tomimbang has other irons in the fire as well. Her "Island-to-Island" concert series launched in February on Lanai with the Makaha Sons and Willie K. The plan is to do similar concerts on other neighbor islands.
The "Island Moments by Emme" clothing line, on which she consults with Iolani Sportswear designer Mary Miyaguchi, is carried by Hilo Hattie and Macy's.
"It's a licensing agreement involved in promoting. I do work on it with her, selecting prints and fabric-shopping on the mainland. I bring a lot of stuff back and suggest a hibiscus here, a Hawaiian design or scenery instead of what's there," she said.
Tomimbang also appears on in-flight video and audio programs for Hawaiian Air and Continental and jokes about being on the air, in the air and full of air.
"Some day it'll be nice to just play golf and watch "Golden Girls" and maybe do cooking and gardening. Those are my 'senior moments,' and I'm looking forward to them," Tomimbang said.
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Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached at: eengle@starbulletin.com