Happy
Honolulu
Friday, May 2nd, 2025
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 2nd of May.
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Honolulu Fire Department responded on Thursday afternoon to a flipped vehicle near Elm Street—Cedar Street in Ala Moana, rescuing two occupants and transferring them to EMS while Honolulu Police assumed command and began an investigation. Hawaii News Now
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ The FBI report showed that Hawaii residents lost $55,180,901 last year to internet fraud with kupuna over age 60 losing more than $18 million as complaints rose and officials warned residents to avoid sharing personal and financial details with unknown contacts—law enforcement urges victims to report any suspicious activity immediately. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- ➤ Honolulu Police discovered human skeletal remains in a parked vehicle in the University area at 11 a.m. today—officers ticketing parked cars found the remains—and have opened an unattended death case with the investigation ongoing. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Lei Day at Kapi’olani Park was celebrated on May Day as local lei makers gathered for hula, music, and ceremonies that included the investiture of the 96th Lei Queen and a contest featuring 137 entries while leaders urged that worn lei be returned to the land—honoring traditional Hawaiian values. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ On May 1, 2025, residents gathered at Kapi'olani Park to celebrate Lei Day (97 years) with arts and live performances that honored Hawaiian traditions. The event brought community members together to enjoy displays of aloha and local culture. KITV
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Hawai'i Pacific University will celebrate its largest graduating class in a decade in Honolulu on Monday, May 5— the university plans a ceremony to honor the new graduates. KITV
- ➤ Hawai'i Pacific University will celebrate its largest graduating class in a decade on Monday, May 5 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort as about 700 graduates earn their degrees in two separate ceremonies. The 10 a.m. event will honor students from Business, Natural & Computational Sciences and Nursing, while the 4 p.m. ceremony will recognize Liberal Arts, Professional Studies and dual-credit high school graduates + the ceremonies will be live-streamed online. KITV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Only a week remains for Honolulu drivers and state ID holders to add the gold star required for Real ID compliance — Hawaii has reached 96% compliance and those who have not updated must act soon. KITV
- ➤ Hawaii lawmakers approved a nearly $20 billion biennium state budget on April 30 that funds $19.9 billion for 2026 and $19.8 billion for 2027 and began voting on more than 200 bills addressing issues like gun control, wildfire relief and climate change—efforts aimed at strengthening state programs and infrastructure. The marathon session, which included key appropriations for schools, airports and highways, set the stage for further policy decisions before the session adjourns. Hawaii Free Press
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple.
~ Cornelius Vanderbilt
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