Spotlight Now: Hawaiian Airlines CEO, softening tourism in Hawaii

On this episode of Spotlight Now, we talk tourism with the CEOs of Hawaiian Airlines and the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB). Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow acknowledges that the Alaska-Hawaiian merger brought real challenges for travelers and promises a smoother 2026. Mean…

Spotlight Now: Immigration in Hawaii

As the federal government increases immigration enforcement across the state, state Rep. Della Au Belatti is helping to launch the Oahu Rapid Response Coalition, a hotline for people to report ICE activity. We also sit down with Aparna Patrie from Patrie Law Associates about the uncertainty a lot o…

Spotlight Now: Law enforcement, paramedics prepare for New Year’s Eve

As the one-year anniversary of the deadly fireworks explosion at Aliamanu approaches, law enforcement is taking additional measures to prepare for New Year’s Eve. Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement director Mike Lambert shared with Spotlight Now plans to blanket the island of Oahu through manpow…

Spotlight Now: Hawaii's economic outlook; top stories from 2025

Economist Carl Bonham from the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization discusses what's in store for the state's economy in 2026, including the impact from Hawaii's minimum wage increase.  And from the New Year's deadly fireworks accident to ICE raid arrests, HNN's Daryl Huff helps bre…

Spotlight Now: Governor on TMT, illegal fireworks, and tax cut pause

Gov. Josh Green joined Spotlight Now to discuss top issues for the state, which includes looking for a new way forward to build the Thirty Meter Telescope on Hawaii Island. With New Year’s Eve and the anniversary of the deadly fireworks incident in Aliamanu approaching, the governor is urging the …

This Is Now (December 3, 2025)

Five alleged leaders of 'Greggy's Cult,' a group targeting kids online, have been indicted. A mom of a teen killed in a crash on Maui last year begs judge to not dismiss the case. A man accused of a Thanksgiving Day robbery at a sushi restaurant has been indicted.

Spotlight Now: Former governor, entrepreneur on Rediscovering Hawaii’s Soul

Community leaders join Spotlight Now to continue the conversation on rediscovering Hawaii's soul. We're joined first by former Gov. John Waihee, followed by entrepreneur Olin Lagon, a movement by the Hawaii Executive Collaborative to build a shared understanding of the depth of meaning, history, an…

Spotlight Now: US Rep. Ed Case and city prosecutor Steve Alm

Today on Spotlight Now, we’re speaking with U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, on the status of shutdown recovery and the continued impacts of federal cuts. Then Honolulu prosecutor Steve Alm joins us to talk about public safety as we head into the holiday season, and a new initiative to reduce crime in …

Spotlight Now: Governor warns of slow recovery for Hawaii’s economy post-shutdown

The federal government shutdown is over, but Hawaii’s economy is still feeling the effects. Gov. Josh Green says between the shutdown, Trump’s tariffs, and the overall cuts to federal funding, the state is losing about $3 billion. He also addressed the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission’s approval …

Spotlight Now: Addressing Hawaii’s homelessness crisis

Spotlight Now first sits down with the governor’s coordinator on homelessness. Jun Yang sheds light on issues the state is facing when it comes to need and solutions, including expanding the kauhale initiative. Then we’re joined by Connie Mitchell, Institute for Human Services executive director, …