Meet the Producers

Six people on the tarmac of a small airport with a blue propeller plane behind them.

Headshot of a blonde woman in a black sweater. It is Martha Shade, the executive producer.

Martha Shade

Director, Executive Producer, Writer

Martha has spent 20-plus years working in journalism, including stints in radio, newspaper, and television. She spent the last 15 years as a producer at CNN in Atlanta, and before that worked at CBS, ABC, and FOX in New York and Los Angeles. She started her career in Honolulu as reporter at I-94 and KHVH news radio, and as a news producer at KGMB and KHNL Hawaiʻi News 8. Some of her favorite memories are working with Diane at Hawaiʻi News 8. She is a proud University of Hawaiʻi graduate.

Diane Ako

Producer, Leading Cast

Diane works in government communications now, but spent 25 years in television news (mostly in Hawaiʻi) before transitioning to state work. She freelances as a writer as well. She earned 11 first place awards from the Society of Professional Journalists’ Hawaiʻi chapter and four Emmy nominations. Diane is honored to share her family’s story and tickled to do it with one of her closest friends, Martha. Diane is grateful that the education she received at Kamehameha Schools taught her how to appreciate her Hawaiian ancestry. She is an alumna of Menlo College (undergraduate) and the University of Hawaiʻi (master’s degree).

Headshot of an Asian woman in a purple dress. It is Diane Ako, the leading actress and the producer of the film.