Happy
Honolulu
Friday, January 2nd, 2026
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 2nd of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Organizers of The Wall That Heals 2026 call for 400 volunteers to support visitor assistance with name rubbings and daily ceremonies at the University of Hawai'i West O'ahu Great Lawn from January 14 (3pm) to January 19 (2pm) while setup begins on January 13. Hawaii Free Press
- ➤ Today, hundreds gathered for the Kaiwi First Day Hike 2026 with a special sunrise ceremony at local trails in Honolulu. A coastal flood advisory is in effect for northern beaches — minor flooding is expected until late Friday night. KITV
- ➤ Palolo man Cobalt Zuker cleans up Tantalus and the Palolo canal after work and on weekends to inspire local care; he shares his efforts on Trash Cleanups Hawaii and runs a local nonprofit (Malama Initiative) to boost community action. Hawaii News Now
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Honolulu Emergency Services treated five people injured in fireworks incidents in Kaneohe over the New Year’s holidays, including a 7-year-old girl with burns to her extremities who was taken in serious condition to a hospital. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Residents gathered at Kalihi today (observing traditional New Year’s blessings to honor the gods) to welcome 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, by bowing under the torii. KITV
- ➤ An Aiea family has celebrated mochi pounding for 40 years using a rock bowl (usu) to bring family and neighbors together as they welcome 2026. Son Preston, a recent Punahou grad, now organizes the event with help from his high school friends. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Hundreds joined a First Day Hike at Makapuʻu Point Lighthouse Trail to welcome 2026 with a traditional Hawaiian oli (a vibrant display of local culture). The event, part of a national initiative, united community members through nature and tradition. KITV
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ DBEDT reports that visitor spending reached $1.77 billion in November – a 15.9% jump even as arrivals fell 3.6% to 736,831, with average daily spending rising to $271 and guests extending their stay compared to November last year. Hawaii Free Press
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Honolulu and Japan’s sister-school exchange grows as Noelani Elementary & Sakai Elementary share cultural and language lessons. Council member Scott Nishimoto said the program, which began in May 2022, offers both communities a chance to build global connections. Hawaii News Now
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Queen’s Medical Center welcomed its first baby of 2026 at 3:40 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1 in Downtown Honolulu. The healthy newborn (weighing 7 lbs. 3 oz and measuring 20 inches) and her parents are resting comfortably. KITV
- ➤ The first hours of 2026 brought two healthy births in Hawaii. At The Queen’s Medical Center-Punchbowl, Kristine Miyasato gave birth at 3:40 a.m. and at Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center, Chelsea Kam & Shayla Sausa welcomed baby Jahryzen at 3:59 a.m. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Kaiser Permanente Moanalua Medical Center welcomed its first baby of 2026 at 3:59 a.m. on Jan. 1 when Chelsea Kam delivered baby Jahryzen. Both baby and mother are healthy (7 lbs, 6 oz) after a smooth birth. KITV
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Trevell Jordan, a U.S. National team middle blocker, is joining the University of Hawaii men’s volleyball team after Grand Canyon University ended its program + he gets ready for his first match today at 7 p.m. when the team hosts New Jersey Institute of Technology on campus. Hawaii News Now
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Reveal the authorAbout Happy Honolulu
Welcome to the Happy Honolulu, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Honolulu, Hawaii community. If you like the Happy Honolulu, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Honolulu.
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