Happy
Honolulu
Thursday, April 23rd, 2026
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 23rd of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Nonprofits relying on Friends of Hawaii Charities face funding challenges after PGA Tour events + the Sony Open and The Sentry were removed from the islands, a move that may disrupt local charity support. KITV
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Firefighters responded to a gas leak at 938 Kapahulu Avenue and evacuated occupants Tuesday night after securing the leak and having hazardous materials crews monitor air quality. Hawaii News Now
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines integrated their digital systems today to launch a single app that lets travelers check in, print boarding passes & bag tags at kiosks. The update maintains both brands while ensuring a smooth transition overall. Hawaii News Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ 85-year-old Tamashiro Market is closing April 30, ending a defining era for locals who loved its fresh poke and seafood. Brothers Cyrus and Guy Tamashiro (both in their 70s) thank longtime customers and look forward to a well-earned retirement. Honolulu Magazine
- ➤ Honolulu’s weekend lineup offers events for all ages — visit the free Honolulu Magazine marketplace Saturday at Ward Village, attend a benefit concert Thursday at Ko Olina for disaster relief, explore Anime culture at Kawaii Kon from Friday to Sunday, and celebrate local art at Kailua’s Town Party Sunday. Honolulu Magazine
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ A WalletHub study shows Hawaii renters paid 63% of their income on housing (62.52% exact) as of March 25, marking the highest share in the nation, while homeowners spent 50% in a state with a median income of $100,389. Hawaii Free Press
- ➤ Nonprofits in Hawaii face funding cuts as the PGA Tour will remove its flagship events, Sony Open + The Sentry, from the islands. The change may force local charities that support vulnerable groups to consolidate or close if funding drops from $3,000 to $20,000. KITV
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Residents in Kapolei oppose plans to expand the Waimānalo Gulch Landfill due to health & environmental concerns. The mayor's office said a rejected Wahiawā site and state law restrictions forced them to consider extending operations, sparking tensions on Oʻahu’s Leeward Coast. KITV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ After severe weather knocked boulders onto Kamehameha Highway near Waimea Bay on April 10, the Honolulu Department of Transportation announced that one lane will remain closed through late summer for a rockfall protection project featuring a permanent 200,000 sqft system and a 500-foot fence. KITV
- ➤ A federal judge approved settlements for 119 children whose families said they were sickened by jet fuel from the Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in November 2021 — payouts ranged from $5,000 to $27,000 based on each child’s claims. Hawaii Free Press
- ➤ A Utah-based nonprofit is suing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, arguing that the Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship program discriminates by requiring proof of ancestry. Honolulu City Council floor leader Esther Kiaʻāina criticized the suit today, warning that similar legal challenges could threaten key local programs. Hawaii News Now
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Health advocates and youth groups support a new bill to ban disposable e-cigarettes amid environmental concerns after a state Capitol rally last month. Lawmakers and public health partners will review the proposal later this year. Hawaii Tribune-Herald
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ UH Athletics holds a press conference at 9:00 a.m. today to introduce new Rainbow Wahine coach Khalilah Mitchell following Laura Beeman’s retirement after 14 seasons—Mitchell served seven seasons as an assistant while helping the team win three Big West titles. Hawaii News Now
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.
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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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