Spotlight Now: Hawaii’s hurricane season could be busier than normal

Part 1: NOAA meteorologist John Bravender is urging Hawaiʻi residents to prepare now for a hurricane season that could be busier than normal, driven in part by El Niño and unusually warm ocean waters. Part 2: Native Hawaiian education organizations say they’re relieved after Sen. Brian Schatz anno…

Spotlight Now: What’s next for Oahu’s street mental health crisis response

Spotlight Now welcomes Dr. Jim Ireland, director of the city Department of Emergency Services, and Dr. Scott Miscovich, who runs ʻAʻala Respite, for a joint conversation about mental illness and homelessness on Oahu. Now that the legislature has cut $8 million in funding for medical respite center…

Spotlight Now: Exploring Hawaii’s economy from strain to solutions

Economist Paul Brewbaker said Hawaii’s economy will worsen this year as inflation pressures continue to build. On “Spotlight Now,” Brewbaker said Hawaii took a major hit during the pandemic — bigger than many other states — and has not fully returned to its pre-pandemic trajectory. Sherry Menor, p…

Spotlight Now: Gov. Josh Green, schools superintendent Hayashi and Aloha United Way

Gov. Josh Green discusses the legislative session, including the late cut to Oʻahu medical respite centers and the Honolulu police chief search. Hawaii State Department of Education superintendent Keith Hayashi details $175 million in storm damage, school closures and ongoing repairs. Aloha United …

Village of hope builds long-term support for Hawaii’s homeless

Hui Mahi‘ai ‘Āina is building a village of hope in Waimānalo with tiny homes, a food farm, shared spaces, and long-term support for neighbors facing hard times in Hawai‘i. In this episode of Spotlight Now, founder Aunty Blanche McMillan is joined by Dr. Kamanaʻopono Crabbe and Duane Kurisu for a co…

Spotlight Now (April 28, 2026)

Today on Spotlight Now, we sit down with representatives from HPH and HMSA to discuss the potential partnership between the two companies and what this means for the future of health care in Hawaii. We chat with Terrence Young, the Executive Vice President of Oahu Operations at Hawaii Pacific Heal…

Spotlight Now: Gov. Green wants clarity in AG probe, details storm recovery funding

Gov. Josh Green joins Spotlight Now to discuss storm recovery after a month of destructive weather, including an estimated $708 million in damage, state and federal funding plans, and the proposal for the state to buy the Wahiawa dam. Green also calls for clarity in the attorney general’s investig…

Spotlight Now: Sex trafficking in Hawaii — what families need to know

Spotlight Now examines sex trafficking in Hawaii: how predators reach kids online, what warning signs to watch for, and how survivor services and trained hospitality workers can help prevent exploitation and reduce demand. Jessica Munoz, founder, Hoʻōla Nā Pua, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing…

Spotlight Now: Kauai mayor talks bid for lieutenant governor

Today on “Spotlight Now,” Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami discusses his decision to run for lieutenant governor. Then Civil Beat politics editor Chad Blair joins us to offer analysis on this and other key political races. Star Dahl-Thurston is in our Community Spotlight to talk about a new website to su…

Spotlight Now: Water, debris cleanup, power critical to Oahu’s flood recovery

Today on “Spotlight Now,” we’re looking at how Oahu is recovering after back-to-back Kona low storms caused severe flooding — from a North Shore boil water notice tied to a power shutoff, to debris removal and volunteer efforts across the island. Hear from Board of Water Supply chief engineer Ernie…