Happy
Honolulu
Sunday, January 4th, 2026
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Sunday, the 4th of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Officials are calling for volunteers to join the annual homeless count across Oahu that gathers data to shape housing policy + secure funding. The event will support strategic planning for improved housing services. Hawaii News Now
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ On Saturday morning, Honolulu firefighters extinguished an apartment fire on Kalena Drive in Kalihi—rescuing two dogs, one cat, and assisting a 68-year-old man with minor smoke inhalation. KITV
- ➤ After a 911 call at 10:39 a.m., 42 firefighters put out a two-story fire at an apartment on 2342 Kalena Drive in Kalihi Valley, rescuing two dogs and a cat and reuniting them with their owner before extinguishing the blaze by 11:04 a.m. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- ➤ A house fire displaced 10 people in Nanakuli on New Year’s Day when the Honolulu Fire Department controlled the blaze by 6 p.m. (no injuries were reported) and a donation drive will help the families on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. at Nanaikapono Protestant Church. Hawaii News Now
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Khan Skewer, a popular Mongolian barbecue spot, will open its second site in Makiki in March. The restaurant has marked four years serving savory skewers in Moiliili and plans to offer Asian fusion dishes and new menu items made with fresh local ingredients. Hawaii News Now
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ A statewide survey shows one in three residents is considering relocating due to soaring cost-of-living with housing costs cited by 55% and 88% ranking them top concerns, while Sen. Schatz (who calls excessive regulations a ‘tragedy’) has introduced bipartisan legislation to ease building restrictions and boost affordable options. Hawaii Free Press
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The state Department of Education is revamping school menus with locally grown ingredients using recipes crafted by top chefs from the Culinary Institute of Pacific and Culinary Institute of America (the project aims to boost local sourcing to 30% by 2030) and training school food workers to deliver healthy meals. Hawaii News Now
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A flood watch is in effect for all Hawaiian Islands from midnight tonight through Monday afternoon with flood-prone roads and coastal areas at risk. Meanwhile, Hawaii Living with Anne Lee highlights local restaurants at the Food & Wine Festival featuring spots like Reem’s California and Tiffany’s Maui. KITV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A survey shows locals want stronger housing construction policies and improved state action on military affairs and Skyline rail — findings that reveal growing public interest in addressing housing challenges. Hawaii News Now
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ PRP released a report from Hawai‘i Perspectives showing that nearly 64,000 affordable homes are needed to support 1.4 million residents and keep Native Hawaiians on the islands. The report is based on surveys from over 900 residents and underscores that building affordable housing is urgent. Hawaii Free Press
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Maryknoll and Kamehameha-Kapalama competed in an ILH boys basketball game Saturday at Maryknoll High School in Honolulu (with key plays by Mission Uperesa-Thomas and Keanu Lee) as both teams traded highlights in a close first half. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- ➤ The Rainbow Warriors volleyball team defeated NJIT with scores of 25-11, 25-16, 25-14 on Friday night at Bankoh Arena in a sweep that pushed their season opener win streak to 13 — they will return to court today at 5:00 p.m. to finish the two-game series. 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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