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 and the timeline for replacing Oahu’s landfill.

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 and the timeline for replacing Oahu&rsquo;s landfill.

Got 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 with viewers on social media.

The program is hosted by interviewers Yunji de Nies and Ryan Kalei Tsuji, who go in-depth on critical topics impacting the islands. 

Got 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 with viewers on social media.
The program is hosted by interviewers Yunji de Nies and Ryan Kalei Tsuji, who go in-depth on critical topics impacting the islands.

Spotlight Now

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

Spotlight Now: HPD Chief David Lazar and Mayor Rick Blangiardi on city priorities and projects

A generator failure at a Waikiki high-rise leaves stranded residents in the dark for days as Hawaiian Electric races to restore power. Firsthand reports from Naalehu reveal widespread devastation and critical water shortages on the south side of Hawaii Island. And, a sudden ceiling collapse at a Kaimuki Chinese restaurant sends an elderly woman to the hospital.

A generator failure at a Waikiki high-rise leaves stranded residents in the dark for days as Hawaiian Electric races to restore power. Firsthand reports from Naalehu reveal widespread devastation and critical water shortages on the south side of Hawaii Island. And, a sudden ceiling collapse at a Kaimuki Chinese restaurant sends an elderly woman to the hospital.

Hawaii News Now at 9 p.m. (August 18, 2026)

Hawaiʻi begins to recover as state offices and most schools reopen following Hurricane Lala except for Nāʻālehu Elementary, Kaʻū High, and Pāhala Elementary on Hawaiʻi Island. As mainland crews arrive to help restore power to 40,000 residents still in the dark, Hawaiian Electric sets a deadline for Friday to get the lights back on. Meanwhile four women were injured when a roof partially collapsed at a Kaimukī restaurant this afternoon.

Hawaiʻi begins to recover as state offices and most schools reopen following Hurricane Lala except for Nāʻālehu Elementary, Kaʻū High, and Pāhala Elementary on Hawaiʻi Island. As mainland crews arrive to help restore power to 40,000 residents still in the dark, Hawaiian Electric sets a deadline for Friday to get the lights back on. Meanwhile four women were injured when a roof partially collapsed at a Kaimukī restaurant this afternoon.

First at 4 p.m. (August 18, 2026)

Looking for something fun to check out? We’re getting the details on Jon Basebase’s upcoming concert and previewing a hula festival that’s bringing music, dance and culture to the community.

Looking for something fun to check out? We&rsquo;re getting the details on Jon Basebase&rsquo;s upcoming concert and previewing a hula festival that&rsquo;s bringing music, dance and culture to the community.

Spotlight Now: HPD Chief David Lazar and Mayor Rick Blangiardi on city priorities and projects

Spotlight Now

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