Hawaii News Now is turning Tuesday, May 12 into an all-day cash drive for flood survivors, rolling out ALOHA for HAWAIʻI, a telethon and online auction aimed at getting money quickly to communities still rebuilding after March’s Kona Low storms. Viewers can expect a mix of live interviews, performances and prize packages, all geared toward supporting families, farmers and small businesses across the islands.
When to Watch
The special kicks off with "Hawaii News Now Sunrise" at 6 a.m. Hawaiʻi time, then returns in blocks throughout the day: 6 to 9 a.m., 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 12 to 12:30 p.m., 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., 3 to 7 p.m., with an encore from 7 to 10 p.m. Viewers can catch the coverage on K5, stream it at HawaiiNewsNow.com or watch via the HNN streaming app, according to Hawaii News Now.
Why It Matters
March’s Kona Low dumped heavy rain across Oʻahu and other islands, triggering hundreds of rescues along with widespread infrastructure and crop damage that officials said could exceed $1 billion. The scale of the losses has strained food, shelter and small-business resources as recovery continues into the spring, according to CBS News.
Who Will Get the Money
Proceeds from ALOHA for HAWAIʻI are set to support a lineup of local relief groups: Aloha United Way (Community Relief Fund), The Salvation Army Hawaiʻi, the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation’s Stronger Hawaiʻi Fund, the Hawaiʻi Foodbank, the North Shore Chamber of Commerce, Molokaʻi CARES, the Hawaiʻi Agricultural Foundation’s Farmers’ Disaster Relief Fund and Hui O Heʻe Nalu. An online auction opens at 6 a.m. Hawaiʻi time with travel packages, including flights provided by Hawaiian Airlines, plus local stays.
During the 3 to 7 p.m. phone drive, donors who call (808) 273-0222 may qualify for incentives, and their names may be read live and shown in the on-screen ticker, per Hawaii News Now.
Local Partners and Recovery Work
State agencies and community nonprofits have been coordinating case management, supply distributions and targeted relief while longer-term recovery plans take shape. Roundups of relief options highlight Aloha United Way, Hawaiʻi Foodbank and several agriculture-focused funds as central to the on-the-ground response, and they continue to accept monetary donations, according to Hawai'i Public Radio.
Organizers say the telethon is designed both to raise immediate aid and to remind a wider audience that recovery will take months. For those looking to help, the auction, phone drive and partner funds offer multiple ways to channel support to neighbors still piecing their lives back together.
