ABC-TV’s local affiliate, KITV, will expand its 6 p.m. weekday local newscast to one hour from 30 minutes starting a week from today.

News anchors Paula Akana, Yunji de Nies, sports director Robert Kekaula and weather anchor Moanikeala Nabarro will lead the coverage, said Chuck Parker, news director.

The three-station ensemble collectively called Hawaii News Now airs half-hour news shows from 5 to 6:30 p.m. weekdays across KGMB-TV, KHNL-TV and KFVE-TV.

The expanded KITV news at 6 is to build on the "successful expansion of our 10 p.m. (news)cast, Hawaii’s only one-hour late newscast," said Andrew Jackson, president and general manager.

KITV expanded its half-hour 10 p.m. news to an hour in November 2009.