Happy
Honolulu
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Sunday, the 3rd of May.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Mufi Hannemann announced his retirement as president and CEO of the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association on Saturday, May 2 at Magic Island during the Visitor Industry Charity Walk. He said he will help with the transition as the organization marks nearly 80 years of service. KITV
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The voyaging canoe Hokule‘a began its historic journey on May 1 from Honolua Bay — shaping local understanding of Polynesian navigation and community pride. Its legacy marks a milestone in Hawaii’s maritime traditions. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Wahiawa teacher Grant Toyooka was honored as a grand marshal in a Walt Disney parade at Magic Kingdom Park during National Teacher Appreciation Week. He won a prize package including a four-day, three-night stay at Walt Disney World Resort hotel and behind-the-scenes access — selected from thousands of entries in the Disney Teachers Sweepstakes. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Lawmakers are considering a change to the Hawaii Promise scholarship to help community college students pay tuition so they can use funds for housing and food — a move to ease growing financial pressure. Advocates stress the need for broader financial literacy courses for better money management. Hawaii News Now
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ USGS monitoring shows that Kilauea's summit erupted an 8.5-hour lava fountaining event on April 23, and episode 46 is predicted to begin between Tuesday, May 5 and Saturday, May 9. Past eruptions outside the Halemaʻumaʻu crater remind us that volcanic hazards can occur across the summit caldera (updates are available from HVO). Hawaii Tribune-Herald
- ➤ On April 25, goats and sheep grazed at Laukahi Slopes Mini Park in Waialae Iki to reduce fuel for summer wildfires. The project was led by Oahu Grazers with support from the city + Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Trustee Akina met with students and teachers at Punahou School as part of the Davis Democracy Initiative last month, sharing his simple idea 'E hana kākou'—working together to find common ground. The talk helped students learn to work as a team. Hawaii Free Press
- ➤ State lawmakers reached an agreement (Senate Bill 2580) to update the film tax credit program, boosting credits for productions that hire at least 80 percent local workers. The measure now awaits final chamber readings and will help attract major film projects to Oʻahu and neighbor islands. Hawaii Free Press
- ➤ Today, at 1 a.m., Wahiawa Freshwater Park will close its boat ramp, reservoir banks and shores for dam rehabilitation led by Dole Food Company and Sustainable Hawaii LLC — mariners must remove boats before the shutdown while onshore activities remain open. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ The National Park Service is asking for public input on its plan — to add a new section of the Ala Kahakai Trail. The proposal is part of ongoing efforts to preserve cultural and natural resources along the 175-mile route on Hawaii Island. Hawaii Tribune-Herald
- ➤ On Saturday, the Department of Planning and Permitting hosted its second Rebuild Oahu event in Laie at the Hawaii Stake Center, drawing 70 storm-affected households to work with FEMA, Habitat for Humanity, and others for recovery help & guidance. Officials said they will evaluate if additional events are planned. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Honolulu officials are still estimating the true cost of storm damage, which exceeded $100 million from two March storms (one on March 23) that led the city to dump 2,700 tons of mixed waste at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park. 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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