HAWAII-BASED "OHANA ROAD" TV SPECIAL SEEN BY MILLIONS ON ARMED FORCES NETWORK. ANOTHER IS PLANNED FOR DECEMBER

Honolulu -- Ohana (Family) Road, the Hawaii-originated TV show for car enthusiasts celebrated three years on KITV (ABC) with a special one hour automotive SALUTE TO THE TROOPS, aired worldwide on Armed Forces Network. It was seen in 177 countries and 290 ships at sea. Total reach for the Armed Forces Network is 2.7 million viewers. It was so well received that plans are underway to produce another to air worldwide in December, as requested by Armed Forces Network.

Executive producer, Bill Maloney said, "GIs are car lovers so we brought them a solid hour of the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show including on-camera greetings from top auto company executives such as Ford Motor President, Mark Fields; Mazda CEO, Jim O'Sullivan; GM Executive VP Mark Le Nave; Jay Leno and other gearhead personalities." Maloney added that few shows originating in Hawaii are seen on the USS Abraham Lincoln or in Bulgaria, Qatar and the Vatican.

The December show will showcase 1000 new cars, trucks, SUVs and concept vehicles from every major auto maker. Maloney also noted that Hawaii sponsors, Cutter Family Motors and Wet Okole Hawaii made it possible to provide this programming to American Forces Network.

Los Angeles Auto Show Director of Communications, Barry Toepke noted, "The LA Auto Show is pleased to have 'Salute To The Troops' report on all the news and happenings that occur each year in Los Angeles. The program is first-rate and it's rewarding to know that so many of our troops have the opportunity to spend a little time being car enthusiasts again."

Former Southern California resident Bill Maloney created Ohana Road. Drawing from an extensive background in automotive and motorsports journalism, advertising agencies and active racing competition, Maloney gathered a team of on-air personalities including co-hosts Dale Payson and Anita Hall, plus local comic Andy Bumatai and radio personality, Augie Tubla.

Using a magazine format the fast paced half hour covers everything from new car tests to interviews with mainland car enthusiast celebrities, auto racing features and visits to notable auto shows. Jay Leno has become something of a regular guest on the show as have car company Presidents, Mario Andretti, and other racers.

Audience response includes a very respectable position as noted in the recently released Nielson ratings. The Saturday show delivers an 11.5 share in men over-25 in the Honolulu market which includes four network stations, several independents and a full spectrum of cable channels.

Magic Island plus a backdrop of Waikiki and Diamond Head appear as the show's studio while solid sponsor support matches the audience numbers. With three years and 150 shows behind it plus American Forces Network participation, Ohana Road is a solid fixture in Hawaii television.