History of Hawaii News Now in Timeline

Hawaii News Now is a collaborative news department serving three Honolulu television stations: KGMB (CBS), KHNL (NBC), and KFVE (Telemundo). Operated by Gray Media, which owns the mentioned television channels, it produces newscasts for all three stations. Furthermore, Hawaii News Now partners with KBFD, providing field stories for their Korean-language newscast, and also collaborates with radio station KHKA.

1952: KGMB's News Department Started

In 1952, KGMB's news department was established shortly after the station began broadcasting. For nearly 25 years, its newscasts were the highest-rated in the Honolulu market.

1962: KHNL Started Newscasts

In 1962, KHNL, originally KTRG, intermittently ran newscasts. It established its longest-running news department to date in April 1995 when it became a Fox affiliate.

1978: Joe Moore Joins KHON-TV

In 1978, sports director Joe Moore moved to KHON-TV, leading KHON to overtake KGMB as the top-rated newscast in Honolulu. KGMB's newscasts then consistently ranked second or third for the next three decades.

April 1995: KHNL Forms News Department

In April 1995, KHNL launched a 9 p.m. newscast as a Fox affiliate, simulcasting it on KFVE until January 1996, after which it became exclusive to KFVE. KHNL also added newscasts at 5, 6, and 10 p.m. during the summer and fall of 1995.

January 1996: KHNL Joins NBC and Adds Morning Newscast

On January 1, 1996, KHNL joined NBC and added a weekday morning newscast to its lineup. The 9 p.m. newscast, previously simulcast on KFVE, became exclusive to KFVE in January 1996.

August 18, 2009: Shared Services Agreement Announcement

On August 18, 2009, MCG Capital Corporation (owner of KGMB) and Raycom Media (owner of KHNL and KFVE) announced a shared services agreement, with Raycom as the senior partner. KGMB vacated its Kapiolani Boulevard home, and the combined operation was based at the KHNL/KFVE studios. KGMB's call letters and CBS affiliation moved to channel 5, while KFVE's programming moved to channel 9.

October 26, 2009: Hawaii News Now Launched

On October 26, 2009, the unified newscasts, titled Hawaii News Now, were launched. KGMB and KHNL began jointly producing and simulcasting weeknight 5 and 10 p.m. newscasts, while KHNL moved its 6 p.m. newscast to 5:30 p.m.

November 7, 2009: Report Reveals Details of Raycom's Payment to MCG Capital

On November 7, 2009, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported that Raycom would pay MCG Capital Corporation $22 million for KGMB, effectively constituting a sale. This information, revealed in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, contrasted with the earlier announcement of a shared services agreement that did not mention any monetary exchanges.

2011: Partnership Formed with Honolulu Star-Advertiser

In 2011, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser partnered with Hawaii News Now to combine stories, investigative reporting, political news researching and polling of issues affecting Hawaiians.

May 2020: KHKA Simulcasts Hawaii News Now Broadcasts

In May 2020, CBS Sports Radio affiliate KHKA began simulcasting Hawaii News Now broadcasts, shifting to a part time News/Information/Sports hybrid format with the addition of CBS News Radio programming.

June 22, 2020: Hawaii News Now Broadcasts 'This is Now'

On June 22, 2020, Hawaii News Now began broadcasting its digital newscast ‘This is Now’ on KHNL-TV weekdays at noon. ‘This is Now’ is hosted by HNN reporter/anchor Ashley Nagaoka and HNN producer/director Jonathan Jared Saupe.