Happy
Honolulu
Sunday, May 17th, 2026
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Sunday, the 17th of May.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Sonic opened its first carhop restaurant on Oahu in Kapolei yesterday at 10 a.m. The drive-in features roller-skating carhops and a local-only menu including the Teriyaki Smasher, and it will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. KITV
- ➤ Tanaka Ramen & Izakaya opened its new location at Windward Mall offering exclusive yakitori sticks & signature ramen dishes. It will serve grand opening lunch specials this weekend from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. while a portion of May's proceeds benefits Aloha Harvest. Hawaii News Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ UH Manoa held its commencement on Saturday when about 1,500 students received diplomas at 9 a.m. and 1,300 got theirs at 3:30 p.m. at the Stan Sheriff Center — graduates and families later celebrated with lei ceremonies at local athletic complexes. Hawaii News Now
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Waiawa Stream overflowed Friday, flooding Pearl City homes with debris and renewing calls for better stream maintenance. Officials plan to assess the situation as flood watches continue into Saturday. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Meteorologists say there is an 82% chance that the El Niño cycle will begin this summer in Hawaii and may bring increased hurricane intensity to the Central Pacific. Local officials advise residents to review emergency plans + insurance policies to prepare for potential natural disasters. Hawaii Tribune-Herald
- ➤ Tilt data from HVO shows that Kilauea's summit had nearly weekly fountaining events; episode 46 lasted 9 hours on May 5 and episode 47 reportedly began on May 14, prompting officials to raise the volcano alert to WATCH + ORANGE. Hawaii Tribune-Herald
- ➤ At 7 a.m. Friday, a broken wastewater pipeline spilled about 2,250 gallons near the piers at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (officials said the leak was stopped by noon) and the water is expected to break down naturally. Hawaii News Now
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Governors, mayors and business leaders from Japan will gather on May 21 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village to expand long-standing ties through breakout sessions on health, pop culture, economic impact and disaster preparedness. Hosted by JASH & DBEDT, the summit will feature a free public marketplace. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Unexploded military munitions remain from over a century of training on the islands, and Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams are instructing responders to safely remove them. Authorities found an inert bomb in Makua Valley after Kona-low storms and efforts to clear old munitions continue. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- ➤ The Hawaii Supreme Court heard an appeal over a $3 million damages reduction in a lung cancer case after a juror’s online research raised concerns about the fairness of the trial. The case may change how tobacco companies can shift blame for smoking addiction. Hawaii Free Press
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ City leaders celebrated the opening of Makiki Banyan, an affordable housing project (80 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom units) designed for working families earning up to 80% area median income in Makiki. Hawaii News Now
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Le Jardin Academy Bulldogs won their first state title Friday by sweeping the Pearl City Chargers in a decisive state final game. The win marks a historic milestone for the team. Hawaii News Now
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The only way out is through.
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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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