Television reporters describe the action and events we see, but their stories come to life with the help of the unsung cameraman and photographers who capture images. Joe Konno and Ted Shibuya may not be familiar names, but they are two of Honolulu's pioneer television news photographers.

Joe Konno, from Kahului, Maui, became interested in photography at a young age. A 1939 Maui High School graduate, Konno was self taught with the camera, winning several local awards. He worked as a photo finisher for Hollister Drug and later Maui Photo Supply, before starting Joe's Camera Shop in 1944. He also created the Kahului Camera Club to teach others, and had friend Rev. Abraham Akaka as his co-adviser . The Maui News hired him in 1951 to work as their photographer and photo engraver.

In 1953, KULA television (now KITV) was building its staff and hired Konno as film editor. On April 16, 1954, KULA went on air as the third local television station in Honolulu. For the first few years, John Needham read the news until John Galbraith was brought in as an anchorman in 1957. In 1959, KULA's manager Dick Block came up with the idea to broadcast the news with same-day photos provided by the mainland-based International News Service.

KULA became the only station in town able to show same-day news images because it took KONA (now KHON) and KGMB an extra day to have their film and photographs processed.

Konno worked at Channel 4 through its KULA and KHVH call sign era's, working with George Kerster, Mason Altiery, Roger Coryell and Bob Sevey. In 1964, Konno traveled to San Francisco to cover the GOP Convention with Bob Sevey. He also photographed Alfred Apaka, Betty Smyser, Lucky Luck and Tom Moffatt's local television shows for promotional advertisements which ran in the newspapers and local TV listings.

In 1966, Konno left KHVH television for the new educational TV station that became KHET, now known as PBS Hawaii. Konno worked with the late Bob Barker on “;The Pau Hana Years”; during its entire run of 1,000 episodes from 1966-1979. He was one of the first cameraman from the United States allowed into China during the Cold War era in the 1970's, visiting The Great Wall. He also covered the 442nd Infantry reunion in France for locally produced specials on KHET.

In 1984, after 30 years in the business, Konno retired to enjoy his pau hana years with his wife Carolyn, to whom he has been married for 65 years.

DURING KONNO'S years in local television, he would often cross paths with KGMB's Ted Shibuya.

“;Oneshot”; is the nickname Shibuya earned years ago because it's been said that all it took for him to capture that perfect image was one take.

“;I loved motion pictures,”; he said of the skill he picked up at a local trade school.

After completing his courses, he went to the New York Institute of Photography, another trade school, where he learned to hone his skills in both still and motion picture photography. He became a soundman and technician for Jay Mauer Studios in New York, recording Edward R. Murrow's, Kay Kyser's orchestra and Westbrook Van Voohris' narrations for the “;March of Time”; newsreels. Their audio tracks were recorded to produce sound films.

Shibuya returned to Honolulu and started working at KGMB in 1956, working with Richard Whitcomb, Roger Coryell, Bob Sevey, Bob Barker, Jim Topping and Jack Ke.

Always a big fan of sports, Shibuya enjoyed working with KGMB sports anchors Frank Valenti, Terry Braverman, Jim Lathrop, Joe Moore and Mel Proctor.

Procter describes Shibuya as being a great guy, “;with a ready laugh, very easy to work with which was great for me when I was starting out.”; Proctor was with KGMB from 1973-78.

After leaving KGMB in the early '80s, Shibuya went to work for Olympus Camera as a salesman, before retiring to Las Vegas with wife Jeanne. He spent nearly 20 years there before returning to Honolulu a few years ago.

Both men, well into their eighties, helped blaze a path in an industry that has seen many changes over the years, but continues to be a vital source of information.

A.J. McWhorter, a collector of film and videotape cataloging Hawaii's TV history, has worked as a producer, writer and researcher for both local and national media. His column runs on the first Monday of each month. E-mail him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).