Happy
Honolulu
Thursday, April 9th, 2026
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 9th of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Makiki residents said a large tree fell at the Piikoi and Lunalilo Streets intersection during the second Kona low storm, worsening the fire ant spread in the area. Experts from the Hawaii Ant Lab warn the pests may continue to move for at least a year+residents are using sprays to protect their homes. Hawaii News Now
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Local advocates say that online grooming of children is rising as traffickers use social media to lure youth, and nonprofits, hotel staff & lawmakers are urging parents to review chats and support anti-trafficking training during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Hawaii News Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Edith Kanakaʻole Stadium was lively Wednesday during Hōʻike night at the 63rd annual Merrie Monarch Festival— a community event featuring hula and folk dance from across the Pacific, with Royal Court members and local hālau adding special flair. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ This week on The Rally Point (HNN's new show airing bi-weekly at 12:30 p.m.), Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum director Andrew 'Homer' Ring will discuss 45 years of welcoming aboard the U.S.S. Bowfin at Pearl Harbor while America250 Commission members preview events for the nation's 250th birthday. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ During Merrie Monarch week, Wahine Toa Designs showcases wearable art inspired by Hawaiʻi Island at the craft fair. The family-run business, led by Kate Nawahine and artist Nita Pilago (the creative force behind the designs), celebrates 13 years of community tradition. KITV
- ➤ A busy weekend in Honolulu brings family-friendly events including Chinatown’s art block party on Saturday, April 11 with ceramics and parades, a STEM fair at Kapolei, a food truck challenge at Kaimukī, and a Waikīkī half marathon on Sunday offering 13.1-mile and 8.3-mile routes. Honolulu Magazine
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ UH students are headed to Florida to present their Moon power project—combining nuclear energy and lunar soil—to NASA engineers, aiming to power future space missions. They are preparing to showcase their innovation soon. KITV
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Amid heavy rains, the Dole Food Company said the Wahiawa dam, reservoir, and spillway system remain in sound condition and fully operational while crews manage water levels 24 hours daily (the company urged city officials to adopt a watershed-based monitoring approach). Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Crews and city teams cleared mud from Kaukonahua Stream and other local waterways Wednesday, preparing flood-prone areas for an incoming storm system. Emergency crews stand by and shelters are activated (including sites in Waialua and nearby communities) as weather conditions develop. Hawaii News Now
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ State lawmakers questioned executives from Hawaii Pacific Health and HMSA Wednesday about the planned One Health Hawaii merger as it undergoes an antitrust review by federal regulators—concerns center on rising costs for other hospitals without clear oversight. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ HECO held a town hall on Queen Emma Street Tuesday night and detailed a $180 million plan to upgrade cables and equipment in downtown and Chinatown after a costly 2024 blackout. The five-year project is set to complete in 2029 — it aims to improve grid reliability for decades. Hawaii News Now
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The UH Rainbow Wahine softball team is hosting a fun afternoon event for fathers and their daughters this weekend on campus. The event will include planned activities that let families enjoy quality time together. Hawaii News Now
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The smaller the change, the easier it is to stick to.
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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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