Akaku Maui Community Media

What Akaku Maui Community Media does

Akakū Maui Community Media is an independent, Hawaii-incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit community media center founded in 1992 and headquartered at 333 Dairy Rd., Kahului, with a regional office in Kaunakakai, Molokai. It operates the designated PEG (Public, Educational, Governmental) cable access franchise for Maui County, broadcasting three cable television channels — Channel 53 (Government and Public Affairs), Channel 54 (Community Submitted Videos), and Channel 55 (Live and Local) — alongside KAKU 88.5 FM, a low-power community radio station branded as 'The Voice of Maui' and affiliated with the Pacifica Radio Network. Content is distributed across cable, FM, the MauiStream mobile application (iOS/Android), the MauiTube web archive (including the ybeam.mauitube.org youth journalism platform), and a Government-on-Demand VOD service, collectively reaching residents of Maui, Molokai, and Lānaʻi. Underlying infrastructure includes HD video production equipment, editing software (Final Cut Pro X, iMovie, Filmic Pro), a multi-bay Media Lab, a TV studio with teleprompter and Playback Pro switcher systems, and cloud-based streaming via Castus TV.

The organization's business model is a hybrid non-profit funding stack anchored by contractually mandated cable franchise fees (3% Annual Operating Fee plus $3.00 per subscriber Capital Fee from Maui County cable operators), layered with recurring annual memberships across four tiers — Youth ($25), Producer Associate ($50), Community Partner ($500), and Business Partner ($1,000) — supplemented by fee-based production services for nonprofits and government, education class fees (free to $300), facility and equipment rentals for certified members, and tax-deductible donations and underwriting sponsorships. Revenue mechanics are community-led: outreach is conducted through the website, email newsletter, Facebook community, monthly Akakū Upstairs salons, Maui Creative Mixers, Maui Business Tuesdays, and earned media partnerships with Pacific Media Group and MauiNow.com. Akakū's principal customer segments are Maui County residents (primary), local 501(c)(3) nonprofits, county and municipal government entities (notably the County of Maui for PEG meeting coverage), educational institutions, youth aged 11–18, and local businesses. Akakū is one of four community media centers serving Hawaiʻi Nei, alongside sister access channels on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Island, and Kauaʻi. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors of 9–15 Maui County residents, with mandatory representation from the Mayor, County Council, University of Hawaiʻi, and Department of Education; the President/CEO serves as a non-voting ex officio member.

Name

Akaku Maui Community Media

Legal name

Akaku Maui Community Media

Website

https://akaku.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Akakū Maui Community Media is a Hawaii non-profit founded in 1992 that operates three PEG cable access channels, KAKU 88.5 FM radio, and the MauiStream mobile app, providing media production training, equipment access, and broadcast distribution to residents, nonprofits, and government entities across Maui, Molokai, and Lānaʻi.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Media Services

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Television Broadcasting Stations (51612)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Educational/Instructional Public Media Services (Schools, Distance Learning) (MPABADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Political & Public Affairs Channels (MPABAIAC)

Keywords

• Community media services
• Public access television
• Media production training
• Community radio broadcasting
• Video production education

Headquarters

HQ city

Kahului

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees from Producer Associate ($50/year), Individual Youth ($25/year), Community Partner ($500/year), and Business Partner ($1,000/year) tiers
2. Cable Franchise Fees: Receives Annual Operating Fee of 3% and annual Capital Fee of $3.00 per subscriber from cable providers operating in Maui County
3. Education Classes: Fees from video production and editing classes ranging from free to $300 per course
4. Production Services: Fee-based video production support for community events and organizations, with 50% deposit required
5. Donations and Sponsorships: Tax-deductible donations and underwriting opportunities for programming support
6. Facility and Equipment Rentals: Discounted rates for extended studio time and special production equipment for certified members

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Akaku Maui Community Media operates a multi-platform public access broadcasting operation for Maui Nui (Maui, Molokai, and Lanai) that delivers three cable television channels (Channel 53 Government & Public Affairs, Channel 54 Community Videos, Channel 55 Live and Local), the KAKU 88.5 FM community radio station, and the MauiStream mobile streaming app. It also provides certified members with equipment and studio facility access, a structured curriculum of video production and editing classes, and fee-based production services for nonprofits, government, and educational institutions. The organization is funded primarily through cable franchise fees, tiered memberships, donations, sponsorships, and education/service fees.

Product overview

Akakū Maui Community Media is a non-profit community media center serving Maui Nui (Maui, Molokai, and Lānaʻi) that operates a multi-platform broadcasting operation. The core offering consists of three cable television channels (Channel 53 Government & Public Affairs, Channel 54 Community Videos, Channel 55 Live and Local) and KAKU 88.5 FM public radio, all delivered via streaming through the Castus TV platform and the MauiStream mobile app. Akakū supports community media production through education (video production and editing classes), equipment/facility access for certified members, and professional production services for nonprofits and government entities. The organization also produces the Akakū Upstairs salon series, archives content through The Maui Daily VOD and MauiTube, and provides comprehensive elections coverage. Membership programs serve youth, individual producers, community nonprofits, and businesses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MauiStream: Mobile streaming app for watching Akakū channels 53, 54 & 55 LIVE in HD and video on-demand across Maui, Molokai, and Lanai.
• KAKU 88.5 FM

Products and services

• Akakū TV Channels (Channel 53, 54, 55) Three cable television channels broadcasting across Maui County: Channel 53 Akakū Green (Government & Public Affairs covering County Council and Board meetings), Channel 54 Akakū Red (Community Submitted Videos / All Access All the Time), and Channel 55 Akakū Blue (Live and Local programming). Streams live and on-demand through the Castus TV platform for all cable subscribers in Maui County.
• KAKU 88.5 FM Radio Low-power community FM radio station branded as 'The Voice of Maui,' broadcasting local hosted talk shows and nationally syndicated Pacifica Radio Network programming including Democracy Now!, The BradCast, and Background Briefing. Streams online via SecureNet Systems audio streaming at www.kakufm.org with worldwide web access.
• MauiStream Mobile App Free mobile application for iOS and Android enabling users across Maui, Molokai, and Lanai to watch Akakū Channels 53, 54, and 55 live in HD plus video on-demand content. Available on the Apple App Store (id1534986306) and Google Play Store as 'Three Islands, One Stream'.
• Education and Training Classes Structured curriculum of paid classes covering video production and editing including Basic Mobile Video Production ($100), Basic Video Production and Storytelling for Groups ($300), Video Editing with iMovie ($100), Video Editing with Final Cut Pro ($300), TV Studio Production for Groups ($200), four Studio Modules ($50 each), and introductory orientations (free). Youth ages 11-18 receive 50% off all regularly scheduled classes.
• Equipment and Facility Rentals Certified members access HD video camcorders, field production equipment, editing bays, and studio space at the Akakū Media Lab and Studios (333 Dairy Rd, Kahului). Extended studio time and special production equipment are available at discounted rates for certified Producer Associate members.
• Production Services Akakū Production Department provides fee-based video coverage of community events for 501c3 nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities, including live coverage of Maui County Council meetings, Board and Commission meetings, Primary and General Elections, and free community events. Requires 50% deposit to schedule.
• Membership Programs Four tiered annual memberships for the Maui County community: Akakū Individual Youth Membership ($25/year, ages 11-18 with 50% class discount), Producer Associate Membership ($50/year, certified video producers with 20% class discount and equipment checkout), Community Partner Membership ($500/year, for nonprofits with 20% production and rental discounts), and Business Partner Membership ($1,000/year, for local businesses with on-air and online acknowledgment).

Quantifiable outcome

• Free public access media for all Maui County residents
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Pacific Media GroupminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 April 2026Media partnership for Wailuku Film Festival coverage and promotional support
• MauiNow.comminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 April 2026Media partnership for Wailuku Film Festival coverage and promotional support
• County of Maui / Maui's Film OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026County-supported Wailuku Film Festival organized by Maui's Film Office with Akakū as media partner
• Maui Arts & Cultural CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026Venue partnership for Wailuku Film Festival events
• Maui Academy of Performing ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026Venue partnership for Wailuku Film Festival events
• MauiOnStageminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026Venue partnership for Wailuku Film Festival events
• Pacifica Radio NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKAKU is a member of the Pacifica Radio Network, carrying national programming including Democracy Now!, The BradCast, and other Pacifica shows
• MEO MolokaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization providing Zoom webinar interactivity with panelists for documentary screening events
• Office of Councilmember Gabe Johnson (Lānaʻi Seat)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-sponsor and mahalo acknowledgment for documentary screening and discussion events
• PBS / American Documentary POVminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerScreening partner for POV (Point of View) documentary film program, engaging communities in dialogue on important social issues

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Olelo Community Media: Olelo operates the Oahu PEG access channels (53/54/55-style lineup) with the same Hawaii community access mission, fee-based production services, education classes, and franchise-fee funding model. It is Akaku's most direct sister organization within Hawaii's four-center community media network.
• Na Leo TV: Na Leo O Hawaii is the community access media center serving Hawaii Island with PEG channels, education programs, and production services under a similar non-profit franchise-fee model. It is one of Akaku's three sister centers in Hawaii Nei.
• Ho'ike Community Television: Ho'ike operates the Kauai community access channels and is the fourth of Hawaii's four designated community media centers. Comparable in mission, funding mechanism, and product mix (channels, classes, equipment rentals) to Akaku.
• Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN): NYC's largest community media center operating PEG channels, training, production facilities, and a streaming app under a similar franchise-fee funding structure. MNN is the largest US analog to Akaku's community access model and demonstrates the upper bound of the segment.
• DCTV (Downtown Community Television Center): NYC non-profit community media center offering PEG access, hands-on media production workshops, equipment access, and youth programs. Closely mirrors Akaku's certification, education, and facility-rental operating model at a larger urban scale.
• CAN TV (Chicago Access Network Television): Chicago's PEG access operator running multiple cable channels with free production training, equipment checkout, and cable franchise-fee funding. Operationally near-identical to Akaku's structure and revenue mix.
• BCAT (Brooklyn Community Access Television): Brooklyn's PEG access center providing free classes, equipment rental, and channel time under a similar franchise-fee and non-profit model. A representative mid-size US community media peer to Akaku.
• Austin Community Television (ACTV): Texas-based community media center operating PEG channels, training programs, and production facilities. Comparable in mission, services, and PEG franchise-fee economics to Akaku, with a similar mid-size market footprint.

Regional players

• Pacifica Radio Network: National non-profit radio network that provides KAKU 88.5 FM with syndicated programming (Democracy Now!, BradCast, Background Briefing). Pacifica is both an upstream content partner and the closest analog to Akaku's FM station in scale and non-profit public media model.

Others

• Alliance for Community Media: National trade association representing US community media centers and PEG access channels. Not a direct competitor but the closest industry-association peer relevant to Akaku's advocacy and benchmarking activities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnqg6Zk4z3Q3P1jJX3Gkv4Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/104457507102
• Xx.com/AkakuTV
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/akaku-maui-community-television

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Akaku Maui Community Media