Photo by Jayson Tanega

I have a confession. My first experience in the KGMB9 newsroom was not because I was looking to expand my journalistic horizons, but to find the score of an NFL football game.

After years of working in Japan and in the real estate business in Hawai‘i, I joined the KGMB9 sales department in 2006. Everyday was a fun experience in sales, but I never really got to know the people or the dynamics in the newsroom, until October 15, 2006.

I was at home watching the Seattle Seahawks play the St. Louis Rams when the 6.7 earthquake rocked the state, and knocked my power and more importantly my TV out. After sitting in the dark for a few minutes, I realized the only place in Hawaii that could possible have power and a satellite TV feed would be the KGMB9 newsroom. Brilliant!! I figured since it was a Sunday the station wouldn’t be that busy.

When I got to KGMB9 I was blown away by the amount of people and action that was happening all around our building. Kim Gennaula and Keahi Tucker were broadcasting live from the parking lot and our newsroom was packed full of people answering phones, writing stories and doing whatever they could to help.

More than anything I was struck by that fact that everyone was working together, doing anything they could to help get important information out to the people of Hawaii. I learned that family, team work and a sense of purpose is very tangible in the KGMB9 newsroom and also very contagious.

Needless to say I was bit by the "news bug" and spent the whole day in the newsroom doing whatever I could to help. From answering phones to making coffee and sandwiches in the dark, I couldn't have been happier. (By the way, the Seahawks won 30-28.) Very soon after I joined the news team as an associate producer and it has been a wonderful ride ever since.

Growing up in Hawaii I’ve seen how bad traffic has gotten in the past 10 years. It is such a thrill to work every morning on our state-of-the-art traffic tracker. It’s awesome that KGMB9 now has the most accurate, real-time traffic system that can save you precious time on your morning commute.

When I’m not working I’m trying to get in shape for the upcoming triathlon season. I also enjoy reading, cooking and anything to do with Star Wars. One of my goals this year is to actually finish a marathon like Lisa Kubota.

Taizo is the KGMB9's traffic reporter, weekday mornings on Sunrise on KGMB9. He also reports Traffic Tracker updates weekdays on KGMB9 News at 5. Taizo has been with KGMB9 since 2006.

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Twitter: @TaizoBraden

---