Happy
Honolulu
Friday, February 20th, 2026
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 20th of February.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Trilogy Excursions welcomed the new Trilogy VI back into Lahaina Harbor after its transoceanic voyage from St. Croix+ marking a milestone that honors the legacy of the vessel lost in the 2023 wildfires. Hawaii News Now
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Shimazu Store has moved its cherished shave ice spot from a cramped Liliha kitchen to Kapolei Marketplace to honor founder Kelvin’s legacy. The shop offers dozens of flavors (including signature red velvet cream and creme brulee) and opens Monday through Saturday at 10 a.m. with shortened hours on Sunday. Hawaii News Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Brave Hawaii will host Comedy for a Cause Saturday, April 11 at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. The event will feature popular local comedians Augie T., Bu Laia (and special guest Sisa Grey) with all proceeds benefiting scholarships, community presentations and the Brave Walk. Hawaii News Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Hundreds of homeschooling families gathered at the Capitol on Tuesday to oppose House Bill 2376, which would have required students to take tests at public schools. Lawmakers shelved the bill after testimony showed that current tracking already covers academic progress. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Team 316W, known as Wall-E, qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championships by winning the state championship on Feb. 14 & earning the Excellence Award. A GoFundMe page is raising $3,000 to help cover the team's travel expenses for the contest in St. Louis from April 21 to April 24. Hawaii News Now
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A nonprofit survey on HawaiiNewsNow’s livestream show 'Covering the Cost with Annalisa Burgos' finds middle-income workers are stressed by high housing costs, and Holomua Collective president Josh Wisch said state lawmakers may consider bills to aid local buyers with down payments — a measure aimed at retaining talent. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ The state Department of Land and Natural Resources finished a $7.6 million improvement project at Maunalua Bay, dredging its entrance channel and enhancing boat ramps, shoreline, canoe storage, and parking while finishing two months early. The work benefits recreational users and local community groups. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Lawmakers propose Senate Bill 2795 to allow residents to display the Hawaiian flag after an Ewa community banned it last year. The measure has moved to the Ways and Means Committee to protect a cherished symbol of Hawaiʻi’s heritage and unity. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ The Navy will now update the public on the 2021 Red Hill fuel spill via newsletters, podcasts and an annual town hall instead of community meetings, affecting drinking water for over 90,000 residents. Some community members have called the change insulting (and urged more transparency on water safety). Hawaii News Now
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ On Thursday, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs heard concerns about the proposed partnership between Hawaii Pacific Health and HMSA, with critics warning it could divert profitable patients and hurt Native Hawaiian care (local executives say the deal will stabilize costs and enhance rural primary care). Hawaii News Now
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ With 1,239 fans at Les Murakami Stadium tonight, Kody Watanabe's two-run double in the eighth led Hawaii to a 7-6 comeback win over Wichita State after trailing 6-0 & tickets for Game 2 featuring an honoring of coach Les Murakami have already sold out. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
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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