Happy
Honolulu
Wednesday, May 20th, 2026
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 20th of May.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Hawaii showcased its aloha spirit at the National Restaurant Association show in Chicago over the weekend, where 58,000 people and 2,100 exhibitors viewed new food trends and innovations (demonstrating the island’s culinary impact). KITV
- ➤ Pearl Harbor hosts free Memorial Day weekend events from May 23 through Memorial Day (May 25), featuring ranger-led tours, outdoor movie screenings and a live underwater dive of the USS Arizona. National Park Service divers will livestream the dive while guided memorial tours run throughout the weekend. Hawaii News Now
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Spotlight Now examined Hawaii’s economy with economist Paul Brewbaker and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii CEO Sherry Menor, also exploring health care job training options through the Academy for Healthcare Innovation + panelists Bridget Lai, Alysha Ladiero, and Kimberly Gonzales. Hawaii News Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Seventh and eighth grade students at Aliamanu Middle School met their kupuna pen pals from the RSVP Pen Pal Project at a luncheon Tuesday after exchanging emails since January, connecting across generations to learn new things like Minecraft and reduce social isolation. Hawaii News Now
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Wildlife officials confirmed a dead Hawaiian monk seal, known as Ka’ale, was recovered off Nanakuli Coast on May 6. A post-mortem exam will determine what caused the seal’s death. Hawaii News Now
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Honolulu will host the 75th Mayor's Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl on Monday, May 25 at 8:30 a.m. The ceremony will honor those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. armed forces. KITV
- ➤ On May 19, Mayor Rick Blangiardi recognized Honolulu EMS personnel for heroic actions during the Kona Low storms when first responders rescued a stranded family on the North Shore and proclaimed National EMS Week on Oahu. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Honolulu’s City and County is offering a free one-day AI training event for small business and nonprofit leaders — applications are due by May 27. The program will cover basic concepts and workplace uses to help leaders stay current. KITV
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Hawaii Dental Service (HDS), a not-for-profit provider delivering dental benefits, supports state oral health by partnering with 95% of licensed dentists and offering grants, scholarships and its 20th annual Tooth Fairy Fun Day. Its charitable arm advanced over $2.1 million in grants in 2025 to boost care in underserved communities. Hawaii Business
- ➤ Queen's Health Systems (QHS) is helping new nurses start their careers by offering orientation, residency, and training programs at six hospitals and many clinics. It has teamed up with local colleges to provide hands-on experience and consistent support for quality care. Hawaii Business
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Hawaii's own Max 'Blessed' Holloway will headline UFC International Fight Week against Conor McGregor in a rematch 12 years in the making, with the fight set to take place in Honolulu soon. McGregor will battle in his first fight in five years. KITV
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves.
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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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