Tannya Joaquin’s Ad-Lib

Dream Assignment in Rome

As our stop in Syracuse winds down and we gear up for our trip to Rome for the canonization of Mother Marianne, I am proud to share that this is, hands down, the biggest assignment of my career. I am so honored my station selected me to document this historic moment for Hawaii's second Saint. Plus, I have been dreaming of getting back to Rome. In fact, I blogged 3 years ago that it was my goal to travel to Rome with my husband and son in 2010.

http://blogs.hawaiinewsnow.com/tannya/2009/10/dreaming-of-another-roman-holiday.html

Then I got pregnant. I am so happy to have this opportunity to report from Rome for our Hawaii viewers and to share it with my own ohana. My husband, son and daughter will join me in Rome and my parents are coming from Las Vegas to help babysit while I work. What a dream come true!:D

Best Hawaii Five-O Moments You Didn't See

What a fun assignment to cover the Hawaii Five-O Blessing. Wanted to share some funny moments you didn't see. At the end of my impromptu interview with Alex, I didn't go for a handshake, hug or kiss on cheek. Looking back I think it's because I had my iphone & microphone in my hands, but I think he was expecting it so there was a brief moment reminiscent of the end of a first date. Ha ha, that's the best way I can describe it & since it's my blog...

My favorite Alex moment was actually when the rain suddenly started pouring. I caught a great candid of him embracing the rain, before his handlers rushed to cover him with an umbrella. He was loving it, like a baptism or rebirth.

Didn't get the chance to chat with actress Christine Lahti, McGarrett's mom, but we shared a moment during the rainy blessing. I said "Christine Lahti is sure getting a Hawaiian blessing and welcome with this rain" & she looked over & smiled. I understand she had to have her hair touched up before shooting her first scene with Alex because it got really curly in the rain. I sure could have used a touch up... A false eyelash came off in a gust. Live TV for you! Thanks to Kahu Kia for telling me.

Fans shouldn't read into fact that Scott Caan & Grace Park weren't at blessing. Scott is in a play in Los Angeles & Grace just flew back into town this morning. She made it a point to swing by set to wish the cast a successful start to Season 3. Didn't talk with her, but I unknowingly crossed paths with Grace. Before a live report, I needed to fix my wind blown hair, so I looked at my reflection in the passenger window of a parked car. A few minutes later, it pulls out & drives away. Lo and behold, Grace was in driver's seat, smiled & waved. She must have thought I was peering in to get a look! Good times.

Some behind the scenes stuff I thought you might like. BTW, we have a link to blessing, interviews, & pictures at HawaiiNewsNow.com

Sunrise food

So it's no secret we like to eat on Sunrise. Especially with top chefs cooking in our kitchen & our in house breakfast specialist, Engineer Gail Oshita spoiling us with her creations.

Since we're on set for 4.5 hours live, we have to eat quickly. Sometimes we do it in a dignified manner. Like when Nobu Waikiki's Executive Chef drops by. Sometimes though, it's down & dirty. Steve caught this not so flattering shot of me today stuffing my face with Gail's spam musubi during Dan's weather. Remind me to get revenge...

Lantern Floating By the Numbers

What an awe-inspiring sight to see thousands of lanterns with hand written, heartfelt messages released in unison at Magic Island on Memorial Day.

Here's a look at Lantern Floating by the Numbers:

Number of people: 40-thousand
Number of lanterns: 3500 lanterns
Number of volunteers: 500
Number of years: 14

Dan & I spent most of our time in a small Voice over tent so I didn't get to personally witness my son Kai releasing his 1st lantern. I was very surprised to see Darq Labs post a pic on our HNN Facebook page of my son & husband randomly chosen from the crowd of thousands. Amazing!

Here's some personal trivia:

Number of times as co-host: 2
Number of dresses I tried on before finding "the one": 9
Number of "volcano" dresses: only 1. T & L muumuu factory will not make another
Number of hairstylists who put my hair up: 2
Number of flowers in hair: 2
Number of Bobby pins used: 41
Number of make up artists: 2
Number of minutes to spare to make 5pm live report in time: 2

What an incredible event to be part of. If you missed it, we'll re-air the ceremony this Saturday at 6pm on KGMB.

What a week!

Never a dull moment in news. Wrapping up a whirlwind week. Shifted gears from interviewing the stars of Battleship to talking story with real life heroes on board the Mighty Mo to test driving a Chevy Volt to emceeing the Arthritis Walk.

And this week is just as packed. I will moderate our Honolulu Mayoral debate Wednesday night and emcee the Lantern Floating Ceremony on Memorial Day, with a full day's rehearsal on Sunday. Did I mention I'm in the middle of moving, had 5 hour dental surgery too, nurturing 2 sick kids and had to pull double duty with Alan out of state for work?

Not venting. Just a reality check for a busy working mom so you'll excuse the flexing of the muscles. Just hoping some of the Missouri's might will rub off on me!:D

Sent from my iPhone

My Surprise for Battleship's Rihanna & Taylor Kitsch

I had a fun assignment covering the Battleship junket. I describe it as "speed dating" with the stars. You get a few minutes with them after they've been asked the same questions over and over. I make it a point to throw in a curveball or surprise to get a genuine, original response. I saw my opportunity with these action figures. Rihanna & Taylor Kitsch had not seen them until our interview. It's Taylor's 3rd action figure, but Rihanna's first. Her reaction was truly sweet. Here's a link to my one on one interview with Rihanna. 

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/18503229/battleship-rihanna

Sent from my iPhone

Like Old Times on Sunrise

Gone for 3 months, but the team didn't miss a beat and I slid right back into my place on Sunrise this morning. Thanks for the warm welcome back!

Our morning team really plays off of each other so when anyone is gone, there's a void. The dynamics change dramatically and the work load increases exponentially. Luckily, Steve and the fellas had help from the night time anchors- Steph, Teri, & Lisa and of course Ramsay too. Steve says he missed me, but after the teasing I gave him on day one, I wonder how long before the honeymoon's over. Just comes naturally to me to give him grief. I joke that it's one of my job perks. He's a good sport about it and certainly dishes just as well as he receives. Part of the fun of being the Sunrise anchor.

Good to be back and I look forward to sharing more behind the scenes play by play with you.

Time to Get Back to Work

So it's that time already. Time to return to work. Time is a funny thing. It's all relative. For me, it flew by as I spent cherised family time with my newborn Hana, my 3 year old son Kai and husband Alan. For my co-anchors who've had to hold down the fort without me and co-workers who filled in for me... well, I know the days, weeks, months... dragged on and on. 

≈ 

I'm glad that I took this time and didn't rush back to work. I didn't want to cheat myself or my daughter out of this priceless time together. Luckily, my odd work hours on Sunrise (start work at 3:30 AM) will allow me most of the day for more mother/daughter bonding. My son Kai is now in preschool. These past few months on maternity leave have also given me the opportunity to do things with Kai that I can't when I'm working. Like drop him off at school. Nice to experience that. 

So, I have no idea yet how challenging it will be to balance the demands of raising two young children with the demands of Sunrise. I'll get my first taste of it on Monday morning! But, I can honestly say that I am ready to get back on the horse (or anchor desk in this case). Wish me luck!

 

 

Meet Our New Sports Director Chris Tanaka

A void that was left in our Hawaii News Now ohana by the departure of Sports Director Liz Chun is about to be filled. Liz, you may remember, decided to get out of news after the death of her Dad. She re-evaluated where here own life was and has found happiness in her new position with Hawaii Pacific Health's Pali Momi. 

Since Liz left, we've had a host of people working to fill her shoes. Brooks Baehr temporarily moved from news to sports, Mike Cherry was a one man machine working around the clock, and the list goes on. Holly Juscen, Russell Yamanoha, even Guy Hagi and Keahi Tucker have read sports some nights.

Our new Sports Director will start behind the scenes next week. He's going to be a great addition right off the bat. Rick Blangiardi managed to lure Chris Tanaka away from one of the nation's top sports cities, Denver. We're happy to welcome such an experienced, talented and genuinely nice person to our team. You can watch his farewell to viewers and co-workers in Denver here. http://www.kdvr.com/videobeta/?watchId=ba40adce-7ef3-45aa-bad7-0b4725089421?video=YHI&t=a

We're excited to have him onboard and will keep you posted on his debut.

Laughs with Star of "Love Bites"

On any given morning on Sunrise, we may chat live via satellite with stars from Los Angeles or New York. Usually, the stars come to play. Today we had fun with actor Greg Grunberg, one of the stars of a new NBC show called "Love Bites."

The show  starts tomorrow night on KHNL with an interesting premise. A married man and his wife have a "list" of celebrities that they're given a pass to cheat with, normally a hypothetical proposal. Lo and behold, who does the hubby end up sitting next to on a plane, but Jennifer Love Hewitt, a star on his list and she's game.

Here's the interview:

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/14810328/greg-grunberg

Hmm. Who would be on your list?