Ancestral journeys, starlit jazz picnics and chasing the next big swell. Trace your lineage at the Okinawan Festival this weekend, discover Kai Lenny's secrets to spontaneous global travel with First Hawaiian Bank and pack a picnic for live jazz music under the stars.

Ancestral journeys, starlit jazz picnics and chasing the next big swell. Trace your lineage at the Okinawan Festival this weekend, discover Kai Lenny's secrets to spontaneous global travel with First Hawaiian Bank and pack a picnic for live jazz music under the stars.

The podcast home of Hawaii's source for breaking news. Hawaii News Now is the state's leader for breaking news, weather alerts, traffic updates and sports headlines, plus the latest headlines on the issues that impact you and your families the most — including the global coronavirus pandemic.

The podcast home of Hawaii's source for breaking news. Hawaii News Now is the state's leader for breaking news, weather alerts, traffic updates and sports headlines, plus the latest headlines on the issues that impact you and your families the most &mdash; including the global coronavirus pandemic.

The podcast home of Hawaii's source for breaking news.

Hawaii News Now

HI Now Daily celebrates the best things about living in Hawaii. We highlight food, fashion, events, and activities to do with the whole family, or just that special someone. The show tells local stories about island businesses and offers discounts and deals that make listening worth your while. 

HI Now Daily celebrates the best things about living in Hawaii. We highlight food, fashion, events, and activities to do with the whole family, or just that special someone. The show tells local stories about island businesses and offers discounts and deals that make listening worth your while.

HI Now Daily

HI Now Daily (August 31, 2026)

Today’s episode of Spotlight Now looks at the current state of Hawaiʻi’s economy and tourism trends.

Recent state data indicating more visitors came to the islands in July but stayed for fewer days. The figures show the state lost more than one million visitor days with growth concentrated on neighbor islands, leaving Waikīkī with a lackluster summer.

Carl Bonham, executive director of the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO), sets the big picture of Hawaiʻi’s economy with U.S. visitors now accounting for more than 80% of visitor spending.

Then we’re joined by Kelly Sanders of Highgate, who oversees several hospitality properties in Hawaiʻi, including ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach. He’ll discuss what shorter stays mean for hotel workers and nearby businesses, and whether Hawaiʻi has become too expensive for target visitors.

Today&rsquo;s episode of Spotlight Now looks at the current state of Hawaiʻi&rsquo;s economy and tourism trends.
<a href="https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2026/08/29/waikiki-saw-lackluster-summer-tourists-opt-shorter-vacations-neighbor-islands/">Recent state data indicating more visitors came to the islands in July but stayed for fewer days.</a>&nbsp;The figures show the state lost more than one million visitor days with growth concentrated on neighbor islands, leaving Waikīkī with a lackluster summer.
Carl Bonham, executive director of the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO), sets the big picture of Hawaiʻi&rsquo;s economy with U.S. visitors now accounting for more than 80% of visitor spending.
Then we&rsquo;re joined by Kelly Sanders of Highgate, who oversees several hospitality properties in Hawaiʻi, including ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach.&nbsp;He&rsquo;ll discuss what shorter stays mean for hotel workers and nearby businesses, and whether Hawaiʻi has become too expensive for target visitors.

Is Hawaii too expensive? Spotlight Now looks at tourism trends, cooling Waikiki economy

The U.S. is taking additional military action against Iran following reported attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. Paramedics responded to two separate crashes involving motor bikes on Oahu's North Shore, both resulting in serious injuries. How Tropical Storm Lowell will impact our islands when it's forecasted to pass south of Hawaii Island late Wednesday into Thursday. 

The U.S. is taking additional military action against Iran following reported attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. Paramedics responded to two separate crashes involving motor bikes on Oahu's North Shore, both resulting in serious injuries. How Tropical Storm Lowell will impact our islands when it's forecasted to pass south of Hawaii Island late Wednesday into Thursday.&nbsp;

This is Now (September 1, 2026)

New numbers just released show how much damage was left by Hurricane Lala. Rescuers are searching for at least one survivor after deadly flooding in the Grand Canyon. Plus, the storms forced a cleanup mission in the northwest Hawaiian islands to lose valuable days dodging the cyclone.

New numbers just released show how much damage was left by Hurricane Lala. Rescuers are searching for at least one survivor after deadly flooding in the Grand Canyon. Plus, the storms forced a cleanup mission in the northwest Hawaiian islands to lose valuable days dodging the cyclone.

HI Now Daily (August 31, 2026)

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