The life of trailblazing female Filipino broadcaster Emmeline “Emme” Tomimbang Burns was honored in a special celebration of life on Saturday.
In a field dominated by men, Burns kickstarted her television career in 1969, touching the lives of Filipinos and empowering other aspiring female journalists.
She began her broadcast career with KITV4 in Honolulu and KHON, and would eventually create her own production company, Emme Tomimbang Multi-Media Enterprises Inc., or EMME Inc. The experienced journalist made a name for herself in radio and television, and even created her own special “Emme’s Island Moments”.
“From her early days on the anchor desk for TV news to later producing television specials, Emme told stories from her heart,” Hawaii Governor Josh Green said per Spectrum Local News. “She tackled some touch subjects as a broadcast journalist, but also shared stories of compelling island people in her ‘Emme’s Island Moments’ specials and that is how most people knew her.”
The celebration of life took place at the Filipino Community Center in Waipahu, where she was a founding Member of the Board of Directors, Adweek reports. The program hosted a range of speakers and performances all remembering the powerful impact that Burns left on the community.
Friend and co-worker Lynne Waters organized the event.
“This one evening promises to be the largest and most historic gathering of print, radio, and television types alone, much less her friends in the Judiciary, the Medical school, the Law school, politics, and history, with videos, remarks, and performances from featured speakers who were close to Emme, who supported professional growth, and loved her as we all did.”
Towards the end of her career, Burns would continue to support the future of these communities by creating several endowments and scholarships.
“I join the people across Hawaii in mourning the loss of my friend and beloved local broadcaster, Emme Tomimbang Burns,” U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) said. “Emme was a fixture of Hawaii TV and radio for decades and devoted her later years to expanding opportunities in medicine and journalism for students, particularly in the Filipino and Native Hawaiian communities.”
Burns passed away earlier this year in February after an emergency open-heart surgery at Queen’s Medical Center. At the age of 73, she was laid to rest with her husband, James S. Burns, former Hawaii State Intermediate Court of Appeals Chief Justice, KHON2 reports.
“She will be dearly missed- but her impact across the state will live on,” Schatz said. “My condolences and aloha go to Emme’s Ohana.”
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