Happy
Honolulu
Wednesday, March 4th, 2026
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 4th of March.
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A 76-year-old woman was pulled from the ocean at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki today, and lifeguards performed CPR & EMS arrived to provide advanced care before taking her to a local hospital in critical condition. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Hawaiian Electric Company completed key downtown grid upgrades in 2025 by replacing underground cables, transformers, and manhole components—part of a multi-year plan after a 2024 outage. The company will finish remaining improvements by 2029. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Starbucks is launching new chai, ube, and coconut drinks today in Honolulu to add a local twist to its menu. Local customers can enjoy fresh flavors that bring an island flair to the coffee shop. KITV
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Honolulu's two legacy mochi shops, Nisshodo and Fujiya, celebrated Girls’ Day on March 3 with traditional treats updated for local taste. Nisshodo offered classic chichi dango while Fujiya, led by Devin Wong (who modernized the old-school shop), blended heritage with innovative flavors. Honolulu Magazine
- ➤ The 12th Annual Hawaii Comedy Festival kicks off its 2026 season with a Spring Improv Showcase produced and emceed by local actor Kimee Balmilero at Doris Duke Theatre (900 S. Beretania St.) from March 6 to 7. The event features three shows with tickets from $10. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Local illustrator Kelsie Dayna updates the classic alphabet book From Aloha to Zippy’s with playful artwork that highlights local foods and traditions, as published by Bess Press and coming later this month. Dayna + Zippy’s will offer a keiki menu at select locations to mark National Reading Month. Honolulu Magazine
- ➤ Muralist Kamea Hadar began a 23-story mural on DHHL's first high-rise at Hale Moiliili to showcase Native Hawaiian birds along a historic site and Manoa Valley view. The work is set to be finished by mid-March plus the building will later offer 271 units for residents. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Banh Mi’licious, a new Vietnamese restaurant in Kalihi, serves authentic dishes including banh mi + pho with slow-simmered broth and a secret sauce that draw on owner Jasmine Nguyen Huff’s childhood recipes. The eatery is at 1210 Dillingham Blvd. Hawaii News Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The University of Hawaii at Manoa is accepting applications for its free Summer Research Institute, inviting high school and college students from Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Hawaii Island, and Kauai to gain hands-on lab and field research this summer. Spaces are limited as the program trains Hawaii’s next generation. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Hawaii college students and recent graduates have until April 13 to apply for paid summer media internships offered by local organizations such as KITV4 and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Internships last 10-weeks and offer a full-time salary of $6,400 or a part-time salary of $3,200. KITV
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Hawaii Business Magazine and Hawai‘i Community Journal launch a year-long series on the islands’ water challenges as declining rainfall and stressed aquifers threaten local supply. A graywater reuse system at Kuilei Place in Honolulu, set for 2027, is expected to save 11 million gallons of potable water annually. Hawaii Business
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Medical experts advise patients to review their bills because the excise tax is sometimes calculated on the full amount instead of only what insurance pays, which in one case led to a $47+ overcharge; providers are urged to correct any errors promptly. Hawaii News Now
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Aloha Cheer Academy earned multiple gold awards at the Gold Rush Super Nationals in Frisco, Texas from Feb. 28 — Mar. 1. The academy’s teams, including young cheerleaders aged 6 to 13, qualified for the world competition in Orlando in April. Hawaii News Now
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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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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