Happy
Honolulu
Tuesday, May 5th, 2026
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 5th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ A Hawaii Prep senior raised over $7,000 for North Hawaii Hospice by selling her artwork + honoring her grandfather's memory. The fundraiser on May 4 helped the hospice serve more families in the community. KITV
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ A Honolulu acai bowl chain has expanded to several islands by sourcing authentic acai from the Amazon rainforest + enhancing its vertical production process to overcome economic challenges. The business continues to serve locals with fresh quality bowls amid a tough economy. KITV
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Owner Jeremy Jataas of Ubae in Kalihi says his shop sees more visitors drawn by a global craze for ube, a purple yam used in Filipino desserts. The treat appears in cookies, soft serve, and liquor + interest is rising both here and overseas. KITV
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ University of Hawaii researchers are leading 98 grant-funded projects with over $33.5 million to combat invasive species that threaten agriculture, public health and the environment. The initiative was announced May 4. KITV
- ➤ A Hawaiian monk seal pup was born at Kaimana Beach on May 3 at sunset to a 15-year-old female seal called Kaiwi. Officials advise beachgoers to stay 150 feet away from the nursing pair, keep dogs leashed, and avoid swimming near the area. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ The USGS raised Kilauea's alert level to watch after lava overflow was detected near Halema‘uma‘u Crater early Monday. Scientists say lava fountaining could begin any time between today and Thursday. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ A volcano watch is in effect at Kilauea after lava overflowed the North Vent—officials warned nearby residents at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to prepare for tephra fall, and the ongoing activity may last hours to days. KITV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Kamehameha Highway will close from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 17 at Waimea Bay as HDOT uses helicopter operations to install rockfall netting + emergency vehicles and TheBus may pass with coordination. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ A Kauai family is suing state health director Kenneth Fink + the state hospital administrator after Payton Hough died last November at a South Carolina mental health facility, claiming that inadequate care and blocked family support contributed to his suicide. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Lawmakers are set to pass a bill that will increase spending rebates on film productions to support local hiring and boost the island’s film industry. This move follows a 2024 production that earned a $14 million rebate on $63 million in qualified spending. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Former UH standout Ron Nomura has dedicated his career to helping local baseball players by establishing Nomura Academy with his sons. He built the organization after 15 seasons as a coach alongside Les Murakami to open pathways for prep, collegiate and pro play. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ AccesSurf is hosting the 18th annual Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championships today through Friday, May 8 at Queen’s Surf Break in Waikiki, where over 90 adaptive surfers will compete daily (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) amid special events and an awards ceremony. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Soldiers from nine countries competed Monday on Oahu in the Pacific Land Forces Team Readiness Challenge — testing their fitness and fighting skills at locations including Schofield Barracks and Kolekole Pass. 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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