Spotlight Now

On this episode of Spotlight Now, Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda sits down to talk about the pressing challenges facing the Big Island and potential pay raises for all county workers. He also provides an update on a bus crash that sent 22 people to the hospital.

Then Stuart Coleman, executive director of Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations, sheds light on the state’s cesspool conversion mandate.

Spotlight Now welcomes two guests to explore Hawaii's relationship with the military when it comes to water and land leases.

The Board of Water Supply is suing the U.S. Navy for $1.2 billion to help clean up the 2021 Red Hill fuel spill. BWS manager and chief engineer Ernie Lau says he has been asking the Navy to share their monitoring data, but they have not cooperated.

Meanwhile, negotiations continue with the state and military over land leases. Those leases are set to expire in 2029, but the Trump administration has said they want a new deal much sooner. Gov. Josh Green has said it’s in the state’s best interest to engage. Native Hawaiian scholar Jon Kamakawiwoʻole Osorio, dean of the Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, calls his response disappointing.

In our new Community Spotlight segment, Kayla Keehu-Alexander, vice president of community impact at Aloha United Way, reflects on federal impacts to local nonprofits.

Aloha Stadium is just weeks away from demolition day. On this episode of Spotlight Now, we sit down with the lead developer and the governor’s senior advisor on the project to discuss the project's next phase, including what fans can expect from the new build, and how school and housing plans tie into the redevelopment.

Gov. Josh Green announced Tuesday on Spotlight Now that he plans to sign an executive order within a week regulating e-bike safety across the islands. This comes during a sharp rise in traffic deaths, along with e-bike and motorcycle crashes. Green also discusses specific requests he has for the federal government in exchange for military land leases. Lastly, Green responds to a recent threat of litigation against Kamehameha Schools about its admission policy.

Hawaii nonprofits are losing millions of dollars in federal funding. Local organizations are sounding the alarm about programs that could be cut and the impacts that can have on our community and the economy. Joining us on Spotlight Now to explain are:

• Shawn Kanaiaupuni, Partners in Development CEO
• Trey Gordner, University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO)
• Melissa Miyashiro, Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations (HANO)

Spotlight Now welcomed Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi to discuss key city issues, including the Wahiawa landfill site and efforts to retain police officers. Then City Council chair Tommy Waters discusses the recent shakeup in leadership at Honolulu Hale and the future of his political career.

In this episode, Gov. Josh Green has an update on negotiations with the military regarding expiring land leases, and his wish list. Plus, he shares his frustrations on the slow, costly development of Aloha Stadium, and touches on other state priorities and potential revenue streams, including the idea of legalizing marijuana and gambling.

Spotlight Now sits down with Hawaii Department of Transportation director Ed Sniffen to discuss the evacuations on July 29 during a tsunami warning. Then, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs chair Kai Kahele is in the hot seat to defend OHA's budget process amid criticism. He also discussed priorities for the office, including the development of Kakaako Makai.

Today on Spotlight Now, we’re speaking to Governor Josh Green about everything from the Hawaii Tourism Board to national news.

We also hear Gov. Green’s reaction to the senate's decision to pass President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill,” and how this affects Hawaii.

Today on Spotlight Now, we’re speaking to Dr. Kamanaʻopono Crabbe, David Sun Miyashiro, executive director of Hawaii Kids Can and Mele Kānealiʻi Hawai’i State Youth Commissioner on the Rediscovering Hawaii’s Soul movement.

Today on Spotlight Now, we’re speaking to Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation deputy executive director Mike O’Keefe and project director Vance Tsuda. Then we’re joined by City and County of Honolulu deputy director of Transportation Services Jon Nouchi.

Today on Spotlight Now, we’re speaking to leaders of local nonprofit organizations about how they’re navigating federal funding cuts, and how the state might be stepping in to help: Michelle Bartell, Aloha United Way CEO; Amanda Pump, Child and Family Service CEO; and Amy Miller, Hawaii Foodbank CEO.

On today’s episode of Spotlight Now, we’re joined by Gov. Josh Green to go over the bills he plans to veto from this past legislative session. Then we interview Keith Regan, state comptroller and head of Hawaii’s Department of Accounting and General Services.

Senate President Ron Kouchi and House Speaker Nadine Nakamura join us for a look back at the legislative session.

On this episode of Spotlight Now, we’re exploring how changes to the U.S. Department of Education and its dismantling are affecting schools and public education in Hawaii.

Here to shed light on the impacts are: Keith Hayashi, Schools Superintendent; Logan Okita, Hawaii State Teachers Association Vice President and Nimitz Elementary teacher; and Karen Lee, Honolulu Community College chancellor.

On this episode of Spotlight Now, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi says he’s still pushing forward with a proposed landfill in Central Oahu. He also addresses affordable housing, Honolulu’s rail project, and staffing challenges at the city. As for the University of Hawaii’s search for a new athletics director, Blangardi says it's a job he would seek himself, if he were not mayor.

Up next, we’re joined by Ted Hayden, deputy director of the city Department of Parks and Recreation. He says the city’s public spaces are a priority for residents, and the department is focusing on creating equity across the island. Vandalism is an issue at public park facilities, and costs the city between $300,000 and $400,000 a year, not including fires or severe destruction, he said.

On this episode of Spotlight Now, we’re talking about the future of Oahu’s next landfill. Joining us for the discussion are Department of Environmental Services director Roger Babcock, Honolulu City Council member Matt Weyer, and Sierra Club of Hawaii director Wayne Tanaka.

Gov. Josh Green is fresh off a press conference where he confirmed a travel-related case of measles in a child under the age of 5 on Oahu. Plus he discusses economic impacts to the state from President Trump's tariffs and the stock market. And meet his new dog, Boba! She's named after both the drink and the Star Wars character.

In this special edition of Spotlight Now, students from Kamehameha Schools Maui roll up their sleeves – literally – taking action to help restore Hawaiʻi’s lands and cultural practices.

The first half of the show highlights work to replant native species in Kuʻia, demonstrating how revitalizing the land strengthens both the environment and the connection to place.

In the second half of the episode, the haumāna explore the rich history of Keālia, where they engage with cultural practitioners to understand the significance of traditional salt-making and their role in perpetuating Hawaiian values and knowledge.

On today’s episode of Spotlight Now, we’re joined by Hawaii Emergency Services Department (HESD) director Jim Ireland, and Institute for Human Services (IHS) executive director Connie Mitchell.

Gov. Josh Green joins today’s episode of “Spotlight Now.” Plus, we sit down with James Tokioka, director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Today’s episode of “Spotlight Now” features the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Tourism officials have a preview their spring tourism update, which will be released Wednesday.