Aide To Gov. Ige Launches Video Production Company
Ryan Kalei Tsuji hires other former KITV journalists with “deep understanding of the media landscape in Hawaii.”
You can take the reporter out of television, but apparently you can’t take the television out of the reporter.
That roughly sums up the expertise of a new Hawaii video production company that officially launches March 30.
is the creation of Hilo native , a former reporter for (a Civil Beat media partner) and currently employed as director of the executive management team for Gov. David Ige.
Tsuji has enlisted the help of several of his former KITV colleagues, including Jodi Leong and Yasmin Dar (both part of Ige’s communications team), Jill Kuramoto (she handles state Senate communications) and Mahealani Richardson (public relations director at ).
RKT already has produced work for several clients, including the 2015 Hawaii European Cinema Film Festival, Macy’s National Believe Day and an event for Shriners.
Here’s how Tsuji describes RKT:
One of the many things that sets RKT Media apart from the other video production companies out there is the journalistic experience of our reporters.
With an understanding of the news industry, finding a voice for each story and the many other intangible qualities that come with working in the news business, our team of reporters are ready to help you tell your story.
Tsuji said Leong and Dar have not produced anything yet for RKT, nor has another member of his team, Tim Sakahara, a former reporter now handling communications for the state Department of Transportation.
“It’s a side thing,” said Tsuji, who said the work would not conflict with their day jobs.
Tsuji said he told his boss about the work, something confirmed by Ige spokesperson Cindy McMillan.
“My understanding is the governor does know about it, and there hasn’t been any difficulty,” she said.
RKT has not produced any work related to government — so far it’s been feature work for a fashion show and an ice cream shop, and Tsuji said it would continue along similar lines.
“If there was any seemingly potential conflict, we would not put someone on a project,” he said.
Tsuji said the video work stems from past work he did for and the University of Hawaii.
“It’s a side job,” he said. “Government does not pay the best.”
This is not the first time Tsuji has mixed government and media. While still working at KITV, then-state Sen. David Ige.
