HONOLULU (KHON2) — You see her every day on KHON2’s morning shows. She’s vibrant and engaging, and she always knows what to wear outside.
Brittni Friedlander, KHON2’s morning weather anchor, walked into Hawaii’s hearts in 2023; but who is she, really?
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Well, National Weatherperson’s Day is celebrated today, Feb. 5, which is meant to honor the hard work of weather professionals who keep us informed and safe.
So, KHON2.com decided to interview Friedlander to find out more about her career and learn about her unique journey.
Friedlander didn’t always envision herself in front of a camera delivering weather reports. In fact, she started her career as a teacher. She graduated from James Campbell High School in Ewa Beach and went on to study education at Chaminade University of Honolulu.
After completing her degree, she taught English and science to middle school students for two years. Her love for science, especially projects like incubating baby chicks, made teaching a fulfilling career.
“I love doing project-based learning with my kids,” she shared. “One of my favorite projects was raising baby chicks, especially around Easter. It was always such a fun and engaging way to connect with the kids.”
However, a career change was on the horizon. Friedlander’s life took an unexpected turn when she decided to run for Miss Hawaii 2023. Though she didn’t win, the experience opened new doors for her.
One of her former pageant directors, Olena Heu, who had been a news anchor at KHON2, recommended her for a position at the station.
“I thought, why not give myself a new type of experience?” she said as she reflected on the transition. “It was the perfect timing.”
In the summer of 2023, Friedlander was contacted by Lori Silva, the news director at KHON2, about a potential position.
“I was going to go back to teaching in August, but this opportunity seemed too interesting to pass up,” she explained.
After a series of interviews, Friedlander was offered a job at KHON2. But she wasn’t the only one facing a big decision. Three schools that she had been considering for her teaching career had also called her within 48 hours.
“It was a tough decision. Do I stick with teaching, or do I try something new? But my principals told me, ‘Teaching will always be there for you, but maybe this opportunity won’t,’” Friedlander recalled.
She decided to take the leap and joined KHON2 as a traffic reporter and worked alongside, then, meteorologist Chevy Chevalier. So, when Chevalier decided to move back to the continent to be closer to his family, Friedlander decided it was time to transitioned into the weather anchor role.
The job required her to quickly learn a new set of skills and terminology, but Friedlander was up for the challenge.
“The transition from traffic to weather was a 180-degree shift,” she said. “In traffic, you’re on your toes, updating the graphics as accidents and road closures come up. But with weather, I plan ahead and track forecasts for the entire week. It’s a whole new way of thinking.”
She also had to get used to using more graphics, sometimes more than 20 different visuals in a single morning.
“We do six weather updates every hour; and the conditions can change, even in the middle of a segment. If there’s a rain cloud or a new weather alert, I have to be ready to update the viewers,” she explained. “It’s a lot of preparation, but I love it.”
Despite the learning curve, Friedlander found herself enjoying her new role more than she expected. “It’s been a great journey so far,” she said. “I never imagined myself as a weather anchor, but I’m really enjoying it.”
When asked what advice she would give to young people interested in journalism or teaching, Friedlander shared valuable insight:
“It’s all about hard work and determination. You have to prepare yourself and be willing to put in the work. If you love storytelling, focus on writing and English. If you’re interested in science, make sure to study that too.”
— Brittni Friendlander, KHON2 morning weather anchor
Her journey shows that life often presents unexpected opportunities, and Friedlander has learned to embrace them.
“You only live once,” she said. “I think you should say yes to opportunities that align with your values. I didn’t know if I would love this career; but now, I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Friedlander has found particular fulfillment in working on segments that highlight local businesses, especially those owned by women.
“I love interviewing local business owners, especially women who are making a difference in the community,” she said. “It’s so important to support them, and I really enjoy using my platform to help them connect with the public.”
Looking toward the future, Friedlander envisions herself continuing to grow in her role at KHON2, focusing more on lifestyle and local businesses.
“There’s a lot of different areas within journalism — food segments, live reporting and producing,” she explained. “I’m excited to keep learning and sharing stories that matter to our community.”
Her path from teacher to weather anchor is a testament to how life can lead us down unexpected yet rewarding paths. Friedlander’s willingness to embrace change and take chances has led her to a career she’s passionate about.
Thought about a career in science? Here are the top 10 reasons to become a meteorologist.
- Passion for weather: If you love learning about weather patterns, storms and the science behind them, meteorology is a career that lets you dive deep into these topics every day.
- Help people stay safe: Meteorologists provide vital weather forecasts and warnings that help people prepare for storms, hurricanes or extreme temperatures that could potentially save lives.
- Job variety: As a meteorologist, you can work in many fields, from broadcast TV and radio to research, climate science and emergency management. It’s a career with lots of options.
- Advancing technology: Meteorology uses cutting-edge technology like satellites, radar systems and supercomputers to predict weather patterns. If you enjoy working with the latest tech, this is a great fit.
- Work outdoors: While much of the job involves data analysis, meteorologists also get to spend time outdoors as they track weather conditions and conduct field research.
- Contribute to climate change studies: Meteorologists play a key role in studying long-term climate patterns and changes, which can help inform policies to fight climate change.
- Challenging and rewarding work: Predicting the weather can be difficult, but the satisfaction of solving complex problems and providing accurate forecasts makes it all worthwhile.
- Educational opportunities: Meteorologists often continue learning throughout their careers, from attending conferences to keeping up with the latest research in weather science.
- Impactful work: Your work as a meteorologist can influence many industries, including agriculture, aviation and transportation to ensure that businesses and individuals make informed decisions.
- Global opportunities: Weather impacts everyone, everywhere. As a meteorologist, you have the chance to work anywhere in the world, from research labs to international weather organizations.
Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHON’s morning podcast, every morning at 8
On National Weatherperson’s Day, it’s clear that her work goes beyond just delivering the forecast. It’s about sharing stories that inspire, support and inform the people of Hawai‘i.
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