PBS Hawai’i Monthly Newsletter – Hawaii News Journal

“October 2025-We’re talking stories: Historic town of Honoka’a.”

Views expressed in this PBS Hawaii Newsletter are those of the reporters and correspondents. Accessed on 03 October 2025, 0207 UTC.

Content and Source: “PBS Hawai’i Monthly Newsletter.”

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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).

October 2025

Aloha mai kākou,

As I reflect on the programming we’re offering this October, I’m reminded of the vital role we play here in Hawaiʻi. At PBS Hawaiʻi, we believe storytelling is more than entertainment, it’s a powerful thread that connects our past, shapes our present and guides our future.

Through locally produced programs, we celebrate the people, places and values that make Hawaiʻi home. This month’s Home is Here episode features the historic town of Honokaʻa on Hawaiʻi Island’s Hāmākua Coast. From oral histories of kūpuna to stories of innovation and resilience, it honors the voices of a multicultural community rooted in history and purpose, while inspiring future generations to dream boldly.

This kind of storytelling doesn’t happen by accident … and it doesn’t happen without you.

As Hawaiʻi’s only locally owned, statewide public television station, we’re proud to create original content shaped by our community, not advertisers. After more than 33 years in commercial television, I know how rare and important that is. We answer to you, our viewers, who believe in the value of homegrown stories.

In October, we also spotlight standout members of HIKI NŌ’s Class of 2025 and hear how the program has helped shape their futures. And in our latest KĀKOU: Hawaiʻi’s Town Hall, we invite you to join the conversation as we ask: How do we define faith?

As we look ahead, we’re committed to being a trusted storyteller and educational resource. With your continued support, we’ll keep sharing stories that preserve culture, spark conversation and strengthen our island community. It is a responsibility we embrace.

Mahalo for standing with us. Because of you … we can ensure local storytelling thrives.

With respect and aloha,

Ron Mizutani
President and CEO

Local Program Highlights

Honoka‘a

Home is Here takes us to the town of Honokaʻa on the Hāmākua Coast of Hawaiʻi Island. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, migrant workers arrived in the islands from around the world, forming the small but mighty multicultural community centered around sugar until the last plantation closed in 1994. The charm of Honokaʻa is highlighted in its rich history, which is evident when you walk through downtown. PBS Hawaiʻi talks story with the people who make Honokaʻa so special and who ensure that the town always remains true to its roots. Don’t miss this new episode on Wednesday, October 29 at 7:30 pm on PBS Hawaiʻi or pbshawaii.org.

INSIGHTS on PBS Hawaiʻi

High School Surfing

Surfing is more than just a sport, especially in Hawaiʻi. It is a way of life deeply rooted in our culture and history. Starting next Spring, high school surfing will be an interscholastic state championship sport, a move years in the making. We take a closer look at how it will work, the safety concerns and how the sport will benefit students on Thursday, October 30 at 7:30 pm and streaming live on YouTube @PBSHawaii.

KĀKOU: Hawaiʻi’s Town Hall

How Do We Define Faith?

Faith is defined differently by different people. For many, it is rooted in religion. For others, it is defined by culture, family or community. Whatever the source, faith can keep us grounded through good and challenging times. We will be joined by a panel of representatives from Hawaiʻi’s secular, non-secular and educational communities for a thoughtful discussion on faith. Join us Thursday, October 23 at 7:30 pm and streaming live on YouTube @PBSHawaii.

Digital Highlights

Osna on Alanui Mele

Hawaiʻi hip-hop history is back in the spotlight in Season 3 of our Alanui Mele podcast, which premieres on October 31. DJ, rapper, and producer Osna kicks off the season with a candid conversation with host Kavet “The Catalyst” Omo. From his sharp battle raps and gritty, genre-defining beats, Osna shares his process, his journey and his impact on Hawaiʻi hip-hop. You can catch episodes at pbshawaii.org or check out our YouTube playlist.

National Program Highlights

Chef Vivian Howard is back! KITCHEN CURIOUS is her new series that explores everyday questions home cooks face and the bigger ideas behind food traditions. She shows how a little background knowledge can transform the preparation of everyday meals. In the first episode, Chef Vivian learns all about cast-iron skillets and what can be made in them.

ART & SCIENCE COLLIDE weaves together compelling stories of artists participating in the Getty Museum’s “PST ART” event. The film highlights often-overlooked connections between two fields commonly seen as opposites – art and science – and features collaborations that address some of humanity’s most urgent challenges, like climate change, space exploration and biodiversity.

More drama is coming your way Sundays in October with the premiere of three new series. BRIAN AND MAGGIE takes us back to 1989 for the story of how journalist Brian Walden and the U.K.’s then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sat for one of the most famous political interviews of all time. MAIGRET ON MASTERPIECE features Parisian Chief Inspector Jules Maigret solving a series of complex crimes using unconventional methods and a fierce sense of justice. THE GOLD ON MASTERPIECE has Hugh Bonneville leading an ensemble cast in an inspired-by-true-events story about what began as an armed robbery but turned into one of the biggest heists in British history.

Stream your favorite PBS shows and create your perfect watchlist by downloading the free PBS App. Looking for early access or to catch up on a previous season? Become a PBS Hawaiʻi member with a gift of $5 a month and get more with your PBS Hawaiʻi Passport.

And if you are already eligible and haven’t yet, activate your PBS Hawaiʻi Passport today!

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