Happy
Honolulu
Thursday, May 21st, 2026
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 21st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ A federally mandated survey on Jan. 26 showed that 4,539 people experienced homelessness on Oahu with 51% in shelters and 49% unsheltered (a 20% drop from past counts). Over 300 volunteers gathered data from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and officials credit mental health outreach for the shift. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Honolulu offers a busy Memorial Day weekend with free family events. Highlights include a Health & Wellness Marketplace at Ward Centre on May 23, lantern floating at Ala Moana Beach Park on May 25, a film festival at Doris Duke Theatre, and family fun at Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Honolulu Magazine
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Hawaii Business Magazine was named best regional business magazine for the fifth time in nine years when the Alliance of Area Business Publishers announced the awards Tuesday in Wilmington, North Carolina. The magazine earned five awards for select 2025 features (including best use of multimedia) and is the nation's oldest in its field. Hawaii Business
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ At Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, the 'Ea Mai ʻEiwa: Patterns of Practice' exhibit brings Hawaiian storytelling to life through hula, chant, design and ancestral knowledge. The immersive display by the Kanakaʻole-Zane ʻohana runs until Sept. 20. KITV
- ➤ PBS Hawai‘i will air Home Is Here on Wednesday, May 27, at 7:30 p.m. The broadcast revisits cherished Aloha Stadium memories as locals recall UH football, concerts, and community events (available on pbshawaii.org and YouTube). Honolulu Magazine
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Educators, business leaders and community members will gather at Mid-Pacific Institute on July 21-22 for the EdFuture Summit 2026 to explore how AI will change education, business and community functions. Local sessions will feature contributions from UH, Chaminade, HPU, Bank of Hawaii and the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation. Hawaii Business
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Wildlife officials said a Hawaiian monk seal named Kaiwi and her pup were spotted on Kaimana Beach in Waikiki on Wednesday. Visitors must stay at least 150 feet away (per law) to keep the animals undisturbed. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Hawaii has not seen a direct hurricane in over 30 years, yet near-miss storms can bring flooding, rough surf and strong winds as the hurricane season approaches. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and prepare for sudden weather changes. KITV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Hawaii Tourism Authority is accepting applications for a new president and CEO to lead its tourism efforts and balance local economic and cultural priorities. Interested candidates must email their applications by Friday, Jun. 26. KITV
- ➤ Officials urge residents affected by March's Kona Low storms to apply for FEMA assistance before the deadline expires — the program covers housing, repairs, and other disaster-related costs. KITV
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Honolulu EMS said it responded to 12 near-drowning incidents involving children since early 2026, nearly doubling last year’s count. Officials urge parents to supervise keiki near any body of water + use safety measures like pool barriers. KITV
- ➤ Hawai‘i Pacific Health received the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award for 2026, making it the only local health system among 78 global recipients with over 7,500 staff, highlighting its commitment to teamwork across its four medical centers (Kapi‘olani, Pali Momi, Straub Benioff, and Wilcox). Hawaii Business
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The UH men’s volleyball trophy began its tour today at Bachman Hall and Hawaii Hall at UH Manoa after the team won its third national championship on May 11. Officials plan further stops at UH West Oahu, community colleges, and other islands later this year. Hawaii News Now
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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