Hawaii News Now: The Unified News Operation of Honolulu
Hawaii News Now (HNN) is a comprehensive news department serving Honolulu, Hawaii. Rather than operating as a single station, HNN is a shared resource utilized by three distinct television stations: the CBS affiliate KGMB (channel 5), the NBC affiliate KHNL (channel 13), and the Telemundo affiliate KFVE (channel 6). This collaborative model allows the stations to pool resources while delivering news across multiple network affiliations.
Currently owned and produced by Gray Media, HNN extends its reach through strategic partnerships. It collaborates with KBFD to provide taped-on-the-field stories for KBFD's 11 p.m. Korean-language newscast, complete with subtitles, and maintains a radio partnership with KHKA.
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Key Facts
- Founded: October 26, 2009.
- Headquarters: Honolulu, Hawaii, US.
- Stations Involved: KGMB (CBS), KHNL (NBC), and KFVE (Telemundo).
- Parent Company: Gray Media (originally created by Raycom Media).
- Languages: Available in English, Spanish, and Japanese.
- Key Partnerships: Honolulu Star-Advertiser (investigative reporting) and KHKA (radio simulcasting).
The Evolution of Honolulu Broadcasting
The path to the current unified structure began decades ago. KGMB launched its news department in 1952 and dominated the Honolulu market for 25 years until KHON-TV took the lead in 1978. Meanwhile, KHNL operated intermittently as an independent station (KTRG) from 1962 before establishing a consistent news presence in 1995 as a Fox affiliate, eventually joining NBC on January 1, 1996.
The 2009 Shared Services Agreement
The modern era of HNN began on August 18, 2009, when MCG Capital Corporation (then-owner of KGMB) and Raycom Media (then-owner of KHNL and KFVE) entered into a shared services agreement (SSA). An SSA is a contractual arrangement where one company provides services—such as news production—to another station.
This merger led to a complex channel swap to comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) duopoly rules, which generally prevent one company from owning two of the top four stations in a market. By swapping intellectual units and call signs rather than facility IDs, the companies were able to unify their news operations at the KHNL/KFVE studios on Waiakamilo Road.
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Programming and Operations
Hawaii News Now officially launched on October 26, 2009. The operation primarily focuses on simulcasting weeknight 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. newscasts across KGMB and KHNL. However, some distinctions remain: KGMB airs a separate 6 p.m. newscast, while KHNL broadcasts NBC's Today at 7 a.m. and NBC Nightly News at 6 p.m.
In June 2020, HNN expanded its digital presence with the launch of "This is Now," a midday newscast on KHNL hosted by Ashley Nagaoka and Jonathan Jared Saupe. Additionally, since May 2020, CBS Sports Radio affiliate KHKA has simulcast HNN broadcasts as part of a hybrid news and sports format.
Summary of Station Affiliations
| Station | Channel | Network Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| KGMB | 5 | CBS |
| KHNL | 13 | NBC |
| KFVE | 6 | Telemundo |
Controversies and Market Impact
The unification of the newsrooms was not without conflict. The 2009 merger resulted in the termination of nearly all of KHNL's on-air staff and morning show technicians. This led to disputes regarding seniority and contract obligations under the IBEW Local 1260 contract.
Local media watchdog groups, including Media Council Hawaii, petitioned the FCC to end the arrangement, arguing that the SSA created a monopoly that limited editorial independence and viewer choice. Further scrutiny arose when reports indicated that Raycom paid MCG Capital Corporation $22 million, which critics argued was a de facto sale of KGMB that bypassed standard transparency.
News Team
Current Anchors and Reporters
- Anchors: Keahi Tucker, Mahealani Richardson, Stephanie Lum, Ashley Nagaoka, Mark Carpenter, Dillon Ancheta, Annalisa Burgos, Grace Lee, and Steve Uyehara.
- Reporters: Lynn Kawano (Chief Investigative Reporter), Allyson Blair, Kyle Chinen, Chelsea Davis, Howard Dicus, Eddie Dowd, Casey Lund, Jolanie Martinez, Jonathan Masaki, Jim Mendoza, Billy V., and Raquel Cano.
- Weather Team: Jennifer Robbins (Chief Meteorologist), Drew Davis, Ben Gutierrez, and Guy Hagi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hawaii News Now?
Hawaii News Now is a unified news department shared by three Honolulu television stations: KGMB, KHNL, and KFVE, allowing them to produce and share news content across different network affiliations.
Who owns Hawaii News Now?
The operation is currently owned and produced by Gray Media.
Why do KGMB and KHNL simulcast their news?
They simulcast to maximize resource efficiency through a shared services agreement, though they maintain separate programming during specific network time slots (such as the 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. hours).
What is the "This is Now" program?
"This is Now" is a digital newscast that began broadcasting on KHNL weekdays at noon in June 2020, hosted by Ashley Nagaoka and Jonathan Jared Saupe.
Why was the HNN merger controversial?
The merger was criticized for causing significant staff layoffs at KHNL and for concerns that it limited media diversity and editorial independence in the Honolulu market.