PBS Hawai'i Newsletter

"PBS Hawai'i Monthly Newsletter: September 2026."

Views expressed in this PBS Hawai'i news update are those of the reporters and correspondents. Accessed on 28 August 2026, 2000 HST/29 August 2026, 0600 UTC.

Content and Source: "PBS Hawai'i Newsletter."

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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsmonitor.blogspot.com).

September 2026

Aloha Mai Kākou,

September is one of the strongest months of local programming we’ve ever shared, and it reflects why PBS Hawai‘i exists: to serve our community with stories that matter.

As part of Hawaiian History Month, we’re presenting five weeks of documentaries and locally produced content that honor Hawai‘i’s people, history and culture. This work is possible because of the trust and support we receive from you.

Throughout the month, viewers will see a curated collection that includes HAWAIIANS: The Time of Ao, HAWAIIANS: Innocence Betrayed, HAWAIIANS: Hold Fast, O Hawai‘i: Of Hawaiʻi from Settlement to Kingdom, Nation Within: The Story of America's Annexation of Hawaiʻi, Puʻuwai Haokila: The Story of How Hawai‘i Shaped Modern Music and from our PBS HAWAIʻI CLASSICS vault, the 1981, three‑part Lahainaluna 150th Anniversary special. These programs offer a broad look at Hawaiian history, from early origins to modern experiences.

We’re also sharing Nā Mele performances from Dennis and David Kamakahi, Martin Pahinui, George Kuo, Joshua Kahula and Nuff Sedd, Keauhou and The Lim Family. September includes a new episode of ‘ONO: Hawai‘i’s Food Culture, a three‑part digital series on Kalaeloa Heritage Park, and a 90‑minute live KĀKOU: Hawai‘i’s Town Hall Hawaiians: He Ala Hou - A New Way Forward, focused on the next generation of Native Hawaiian leaders.

Together, this lineup highlights both legacy and emerging voices and shows how much local storytelling continues to grow.

I’m proud of what our team has built for September. It reflects years of commitment, care and belief in the importance of Hawai‘i’s stories. And, I’m grateful for the community that supports us. Without you, we couldn’t do this work. Your trust allows us to serve Hawai‘i in ways that make a difference.

With respect and gratitude,

Ron and the

PBS Hawaiʻi Team

Local Program Highlights

Celebrating Hawaiian History Month

September is Hawaiian History Month, coinciding with the birthday of Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaiʻi. PBS Hawaiʻi commemorates the month with special programming, including PBS Hawaiʻi Presents HAWAIIANS, a three-part documentary chronicling the history of Hawaiʻi's indigenous people. The Time of Ao emphasizes the significance of chants in every aspect of Hawaiian history. Innocence Betrayed documents the effects of Western contact starting with the arrival of Captain James Cook. Hold Fast focuses on how Hawaiians changed as a people and a society after becoming part of the United States.

Our Hawaiian History Month offerings also include two films by author/historian Tom Coffman, O Hawaiʻi: Of Hawaiʻi from Settlement to Kingdom and Nation Within: The Story of America's Annexation of Hawaiʻi.

PBS Hawaiʻi Digital Exclusive

Kalaeloa Heritage Park: Hidden Gem

When the first people came ashore on this island, they made their home at what is now known as Kalaeloa (Formerly Barbers Point Naval Air Station) in West Oʻahu. The barren land is rich with culture and history preserved and cultivated by volunteers at Kalaeloa Heritage Park, the living legacy of the late "Uncle Shad" Kane, who worked passionately and tirelessly to connect communities and people to ensure that the history and cultural knowledge of that area lives on for generations to come.

Part one of Kalaeloa Heritage Park: Hidden Gem premieres on the PBS Hawaiʻi YouTube channel and on pbshawaii.org on September 1. The three-part digital exclusive series documents the history that lives at the park. Part two chronicles Uncle Shad's passion and mission to make the park a reality, and part three shares how the next generation of volunteers is keeping Uncle Shad's vision and dream alive through education, connection and community.

PBS HAWAIʻI PRESENTS

9/11 25 Years Later

As America marks 25 years since the September 11th attacks, PBS Hawaiʻi shares two films documenting stories of determination, resilience and healing. Corridor Four is the story of West Oʻahu native Isaac Hoʻopiʻi, a K-9 officer who defied orders and risked his life to rescue victims at the Pentagon. In telling his story, filmmakers realized that Hoʻopiʻi was struggling with depression, stress and guilt years after the attacks, and he was not alone.

Hawaiʻi to New York: The Aloha Spirit Lives from beloved Hawaiʻi TV journalist-turned-indepedent producer Emme Tomimbang Burns is a collection of stories about the Hawaiʻi-New York connection in relation to September 11th. This will be the first time since the passing of Tomimbang Burns that one of her programs will be broadcast on statewide television.

National Program Highlights

PACIFIC HEARTBEAT continues with more stories of people, cultures and contemporary issues. In STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS, mothers and daughters from three Native Hawaiian families become kiaʻi (protectors) when a massive thirty-meter telescope is proposed to be built on Mauna Kea. PACIFIC MOTHER traces how freediver Sachiko Fukumoto meets with other mothers around the Pacific, from Hawaiʻi, Tahiti, the Cook Islands and Aotearoa (New Zealand) to connect with indigenous birth practices.

Attention cozy mysteries lovers, some of your favorite sleuths return this month: On MARLOW MURDER CLUB ON MASTERPIECE, the trio of Judith, Suzie and Becks (pictured) are back to face a string of high-profile murders with their unconventional crime-solving methods. Then, editor Susan Ryeland is back in MARBLE HALL MURDERS ON MASTERPIECE, as her job leads her into a case where she unexpectedly finds herself a suspect.

Digital Highlights

ʻONO! Hawaiʻi's Food Culture

Love for Lechon

Crispy, juicy and delicious, just the thought of lechon gets those taste buds going! Season 3 of 'ONO! Hawaiʻi's Food Culture premieres with a culinary journey highlighting Filipino culture in Hawaiʻi, the art of making lechon and how this tasty dish has earned its spot in Hawaiʻi's local cuisine scene. Season 3 launches Friday, September 4th on the PBS Hawaiʻi YouTube channel and on pbshawaii.org.

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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Mahalo nui loa to the following sponsors for helping to commemorate 60 years of storytelling at PBS Hawaiʻi: Olson Trust, Stupski Foundation, HEI, John A. Burns School of Medicine, Kamehameha Schools, Kualoa Ranch and Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. The generosity and support of local businesses, organizations, charitable trusts and viewers like you make it possible for PBS Hawaiʻi to continue sharing the stories of our community.