History of Hawaii News Now in Timeline

Hawaii News Now is a news department produced by Gray Media and shared between Honolulu television stations KGMB (CBS), KHNL (NBC), and KFVE (Telemundo). It also partners with KBFD for Korean-language newscasts and KHKA radio. The organization focuses on delivering news content to the Hawaiian community across multiple platforms.

1952: KGMB's News Department Started

In 1952, KGMB's news department began broadcasting shortly after the station signed on the air.

1962: KHNL airs newscasts

In 1962, KHNL, then known as KTRG, began airing newscasts intermittently.

1978: Joe Moore joins KHON-TV

In 1978, sports director Joe Moore left KGMB to join KHON-TV, leading KHON to overtake KGMB in the ratings.

April 1995: KHNL forms news department and launches 9 p.m. newscast

In April 1995, KHNL, then a Fox affiliate, established its longest-running news department and launched a 9 p.m. newscast that was simulcast on KFVE.

January 1, 1996: KHNL joins NBC and adds weekday morning newscast

On January 1, 1996, KHNL joined NBC and added a weekday morning newscast to its programming schedule.

January 1996: KFVE gets exclusive 9pm newscast

In January 1996, the 9 p.m. newscast became exclusive to KFVE, after being simulcast on KHNL.

August 18, 2009: MCG Capital and Raycom Media enter shared services agreement

On August 18, 2009, MCG Capital Corporation and Raycom Media announced a shared services agreement, with Raycom as the senior partner. KGMB vacated its home on Kapiolani Boulevard, and the combined operation was based at the KHNL/KFVE studios. There was also a channel swap, with KGMB moving to channel 5 and KFVE moving to channel 9.

October 26, 2009: Hawaii News Now launches unified newscasts

On October 26, 2009, Hawaii News Now launched its unified newscasts. The two stations jointly produced and simulcast weeknight 5 and 10 p.m. newscasts, while KHNL moved its 6 p.m. newscast to 5:30 p.m. KGMB continues to air a separate weeknight 6 p.m. newscast.

November 7, 2009: Honolulu Star-Bulletin reports on 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, which was not mentioned in the original SSA announcement. The FCC requested detailed agreements in response to an objection over the SSA.

2011: Honolulu Star-Advertiser forms partnership with Hawaii News Now

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

May 2020: KHKA begins simulcasting Hawaii News Now broadcasts

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

June 22, 2020: Hawaii News Now begins broadcasting 'This is Now' on KHNL-TV

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