Hawaii News Now
Spotlight Now
Playlist by Hawaii News NowGot questions for everyone from Hawaii’s governor to business leaders to community organizers? Get them answered on HNN’s new weekly interview show, “Spotlight Now,” which includes live engagement wit…Follow the podcast:
142 clip(s) in playlist
Is Hawaii too expensive? Spotlight Now looks at tourism trends, cooling Waikiki economy
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 neig…
54:54
Spotlight Now: State leaders outline Hurricane Lala recovery efforts, land lease battles
In this episode of Spotlight Now, Gov. Josh Green and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Chair Kai Kahele join the program to detail the critical recovery efforts following Hurricane Lala and map out the state's long-term resilience. Gov. Green reports on the $81 million in damages concentrated on the Big…
55:41
Spotlight Now: Hurricane Lala recovery, federal funding cuts, and the future of UH
In this episode of Spotlight Now, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel discuss the aftermath of Hurricane Lala and statewide recovery efforts. Schatz shares details on the progress of damage assessments, the timeline for an anticipated federal disaster declaratio…
55:19
Spotlight Now: Hawaii explores sports tourism, gaming amid stadium setbacks
Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) Director James Tokioka discusses the state’s economic landscape, addressing the softening tourism industry, updates on the Hawaiʻi Convention Center repairs, and the latest on the Aloha Stadium redevelopment — including potenti…
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Spotlight Now: Rep. Tokuda on economic ‘fear’; election chief on securing the vote
On this episode of Spotlight Now, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii) addresses the intense financial strain and "economic fear" gripping local families. Tokuda shares her fight to eliminate federal taxes on Maui wildfire settlement payouts, her push to classify damaged neighbor island water catchment…
54:17
Spotlight Now: HPD Chief David Lazar and Mayor Rick Blangiardi on city priorities and projects
Honolulu Police Department Chief David Lazar and Mayor Rick Blangiardi appeared on Spotlight Now Tuesday to discuss a range of city priorities, including staffing and morale at HPD, initiatives to improve public safety, housing and development tied to rail, the future of Chinatown Cultural Plaza an…
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Spotlight Now (July 21, 2026)
Gov. Josh Green joins Spotlight Now to discuss some of the top issues in Hawaii. Then, attorney John Choi, who is running for lieutenant governor, sits down to talk about his platform.
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Spotlight Now
On a special edition of Spotlight Now, we sit down with two candidates running to become Hawaii’s next lieutenant governor, Della Au Belatti and Derek Kawakami.
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Spotlight Now: Connecting history, culture and community in West Hawaiʻi
Ke Kula ‘o Kamehameha and community organizations are demonstrating how ʻāina stewardship, community engagement and shared values can lead to successful collaborations. On Spotlight Now, the conversation focused on two special regions in West Hawaiʻi — Keauhou and Kahaluʻu Ma Kai. This episode of …
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Spotlight Now: Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole on 1st Congressional District run
State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole joins Spotlight Now for an in-depth conversation on the issues shaping Hawaiʻi’s First Congressional District race and his priorities for Washington. Keohokalole is challenging incumbent U.S. Rep. Ed Case in August's primary election. Then in our Community Spotlight …
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