Channel 9 (Spectrum) and 20 (Hawaiian Telcom) (Programs are subject to change, without notice. For updated information, call 847–2021)
KIKU-TV 2020 New Year’s Specials
“The 70th Annual Red and White Song Contest,“ Wednesday, Jan. 1 at 5-10 p.m.; repeats on Thrusday, Jan. 2 at Noon-5 p.m.
This year marks the 70th year since Kohaku Uta Gassen began! The program, more commonly known as Kohaku, is an annual music show produced by Japanese broadcaster NHK. The “Red and White Song Contest” is a program that divides the most popular music artists of the year into competing teams of red and white. The red team is composed of all female artists and groups, while the white team is all male artists and groups. A performance on Kohaku is said to be the highlight of a singer’s career because of the show’s large reach and status.
Kohaku airs in Japan on New Year’s Eve, with the announcement of the winning team taking place at midnight.
“Detective Inukai,” airs Thursday, Jan. 2 from 7-9 p.m.; repeats Friday, Jan. 3 from Noon-2 p.m.
Popular Doctors actor Ikki Sawamura reprises his role as Detective Inukai in this detective mystery. The lead vocalist of a famous rock band is found stabbed to death and the high-profile nature of the case creates some excitement amongst the police force. A novelist turns himself in to police and confesses to the murder, but Detective Inukai is skeptical he is actually the guilty party. As Inukai begins questioning people close to the murder victim, a kidnapping occurs and the kidnapping victim is represented by the same talent agency as the murder victim. Are the two cases related?
“Izakaya Moheji 3,” airs Friday, Jan. 3 from 7-9 p.m.
A small, out-of-the-way izakaya in Tokyo has become the favorite hangout of people searching for nourishment for their bodies and their souls. The proprietor of Izakaya Moheji is Heji, played by Yutaka Mizutani, star of KIKU’s popular Partners series. This is the third in the series of Izakaya Moheji specials.
“Brave Maguro Hunters,” airs Saturday, Jan. 4 from 7-9 p.m.
A good maguro catch can mean the difference between an okay year and a great year for the families of maguro fishermen. It’s no wonder fishermen are willing to put themselves in danger in rough seas and weather as they search for the elusive maguro.
“Downtown Rocket 2 Special,” airs Sunday, Jan. 5 from 8-10:30 p.m.; repeats Monday, Jan. 6, from 1-3:30 p.m.
The Downtown Rocket 2 series ended with a demonstration of two rival automated tractors: the Landcrow, manufactured through a partnership between Tsukuda Industries and Teikoku Heavy Industries; and the Darwin, developed by Gear Ghost and Daedalus.
While the rival tractors perform equally, vast differences exist between the ways the two companies are run, and Landcrow’s sales begin to falter in the wake of Gear Ghost’s more aggressive sales efforts.
When an approaching typhoon threatens the area’s rice crops, differences between how the rival companies operate become even more evident.
“Making it Through 2019 Special,” airs Monday, Jan. 6 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.; repeats Tuesday, Jan. 7, from Noon-3 p.m.
Over the 20-year history of the Making It Through series, we watched the show’s characters grow up in front of us. Daikichi and his five daughters tackled tough subjects such as death, sibling rivalry, bullying, divorce, aging parents, and other life experiences. Now the children of the sisters are also facing life’s complex issues. One of Hawaii’s favorite dramas is back for another year.
“An Eden For Two,” Tuesday, airs Jan. 7, 6:30-8 p.m.; Repeats Wednesday, Jan. 8, from Noon-1:30 p.m.
A touching story about an aging couple, who live off the grid deep in the mountains. Fighting against materialism, Torao and Fusako Tanaka cultivated the rugged terrain, planting and raising enough rice and vegetables to sustain their lives. The mountain’s emotional significance helped the couple overcome the effects of aging for 25 years.
KIKU-TV January Programs
“Partners 13,” premiers Sunday, Jan. 12 at 8 p.m.; repeats on Monday, at 1 p.m.
Akiko Iwaki is a career woman who works very hard at her job. She gets married to Ryoichi Miyamoto who has a daughter. Akiko Iwaki must now deal with housework and raising her stepdaughter.
“Behind the Noren 4,” Saturday at 8 p.m.
The family drama “Behind the Noren” continues. Naoko has overcome a variety of handicaps to become the innkeeper of Kaguraya and strong enough to voice her opinions to her mother-in-law, Shino. Naoko wants to prove that anyone can become an innkeeper if they have the drive and true desire to be hospitable to guests. She ultimately hires a cheerful yet dull-witted and sloppy apprentice as a trainee, which causes a commotion at Kaguraya.
“CSI 3,” premiers, Thursday, Jan. 9 at 8 p.m.; repeats on Friday at 1 p.m.
Satoshi Itomura portrays an assistant police investigator who belongs to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Scientific Investigation Team. They collect scientific evidence and piece together fragments of information in order to help build a story behind criminal cases. Itomura often does not care about the scientific approach and instead pays a great deal of attention to the things the victims always carried with them or treasured, like the toys from their childhoods. And he focuses on these things because they usually carry the victim’s last message.
“You’re My Home,” Monday through Friday at 4 p.m.; Saturday at 5 p.m.
The Fontanilla Family’s simple happy life begins to unravel when the parents become involved in bringing an unsolved homicide case to justice. With little time to devote to their children, many responsibilities fall on their young daughter, Grace. One day, Grace rebels, leaving her youngest brother, Vince, with no supervision. When the parents return home, Vince is missing. Will this be the catalyst that brings the family back together?
“Beautiful Strangers,“ Saturdays at 6 p.m.; repeats on Sunday at 5 p.m.
Kristine befriends a homeless girl named Leah, only to learn that her real name is Joyce and she was sexually abused by her father. Eventually, the truth comes out.Will their friendship be able to withstand the reality?
“Once Upon a Kiss,“ Sunday at 6 p.m.
Aurora and Eric were both raised in poor families. Together they dreamed of having a better life together. Eric gave up his love for Aurora to pursue Giselle, the daughter of a wealthy family while heartbroken Aurora later marries Jimmy, Eric’s best friend. Eric and Giselle have a boy named Prince, while Aurora and Jimmy have a daughter named Ella. Although their families are mortal enemies, Prince and Ella become childhood friends and fall in love. Can Prince and Ella’s love last or are they doomed to repeat the same history as their parents?
“Oshin,“ airs on Tuesday at 8 p.m.; repeats on Wednesday at 1 p.m.; continues on Sunday at 7 p.m. (Sunday episodes have no repeat during the week)
One of Japan’s most watched series of all time, this story follows the life of Shin Tanokura during the Meiji Period up to the early 1900s. “Oshin“ is a girl born in a very poor rural family in Japan, who, through hard work and perseverance, eventually triumphs over pain and adversity to achieve fame and success.
“Lone Wolf with Cub,” Friday at 8 p.m.; repeats on Saturday at 7 p.m.
This series chronicles the story of Ogami Itto, the Shogun’s executioner who uses a Dotanuki battle sword. Disgraced by false accusations from the Yagyu clan, he is forced to take the path of an assassin along with his 3-year-old-son, Daigoro. Together they seek revenge on the Yagyu clan and are known as “Lone Wolf with Cub.”
“Kuru Kuru Japan,” Monday through Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Delicious foods of Japan. Cultured salmon in Tottori, bonito cuisine in Kagoshima and more!
“Soko ga Japan,” Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m.; Wednesday at noon.
This series, which replaces “Soko ga Shiritai,” takes you on a journey through Japan, highlighting foods and places that define Japan.
