Happy
Honolulu
Friday, February 13th, 2026
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 13th of February.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Richard Tanaka of Tanaka of Tokyo Restaurants has handed managerial control to daughter Bo Tanaka and President Hiroshi D. Lamansky at his Waikiki flagship location. The transition marks a commitment to tradition (and innovation) as the chain adapts to evolving challenges. Hawaii Business
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Toshiko Takaezu, one of Hawaii’s best-known ceramic artists, is honored with a retrospective exhibit opening tomorrow at the Honolulu Museum of Art that runs until July 19 & features over 100 pieces with interactive installations and workshops. Honolulu Magazine
- ➤ New public art installations are on display at Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, Electric Beach, and Haleʻiwa Beach Park. They celebrate local artists + hidden histories and were unveiled on Feb. 12. KITV
- ➤ Battleship Missouri Memorial in Pearl Harbor offers Chuck’s Quest, a scavenger hunt guiding kids through 14 stops that detail the ship’s WWII and Korean War history. Participants earn an honorary crew member badge (a fun keepsake) as they explore the exhibits. Honolulu Magazine
- ➤ A local designer (active for five decades) continues to craft island classics in Honolulu that celebrate traditional Hawaiian style. Their work remains a vibrant part of the community's cultural heritage. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Eateries across O‘ahu are offering special Lunar New Year menus and limited-edition treats to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse starting Feb. 17. Selections include gau and jai at popular locations (available for a limited time). Honolulu Magazine
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Honolulu's hotel industry generated $12B in economic activity in 2025, a report by the American Hotel and Lodging Association and Hawai‘i Hotel Alliance said. Each room night brought about $760 in spending (covering lodging, retail, dining, and excursions) while supporting over 18,000 local jobs and small businesses. Hawaii News Now
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Gov. Green cancelled his out-of-state trips for February—including a dinner meeting in Washington—after state investigators began reviewing Lt. Gov Sylvia Luke’s campaign spending to ensure steady leadership. The change was announced to keep state operations on track amid the inquiry. KITV
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands broke ground on Waianae’s first affordable rental project for Hawaiian homesteaders today by renovating an existing complex into 40 transitional rental units that include childcare and counseling (helping families shift toward homeownership). Affected families on the waitlist may move in in about a year. KITV
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ UH basketball defeated Cal State Bakersfield 89-74 at the Icardo Center, giving the team sole first place in the Big West. Quandre Bullock scored 19 points while Harry Rouhliadeff and Isaac Johnson added 17 each as the ’Bows improved to 18-5 overall and 10-3 in conference play. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- ➤ Kahuku beat Saint Louis in the Division I state basketball semifinal as guard Justus Daley scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench. The win advanced Kahuku into the finals, setting the stage for the championship game. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- ➤ A legal dispute has canceled a local flag football league serving hundreds of keiki athletes, leaving them without a game schedule. Families are waiting for a new play date (details pending). 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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