Happy
Honolulu
Saturday, May 24th, 2025
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 24th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Residents across the islands are invited to donate lei, lei flowers or attend lei-making events on Memorial Day to honor Hawaii’s fallen veterans—organizers say these efforts will help keep their memory alive. Hawaii News Now
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ A pedestrian sustained serious injuries after being struck by a Honolulu police officer in Waianae on Thursday evening. Hawaii News Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The live action remake of Lilo and Stitch returns to theaters, reimagining the classic tale 23 years after Experiment 626 crash-landed in Hawaii. Writer Chris Bright and actor Kaipo Dudoit explain that the film stays true to its Hawaiian roots while updating the story for a new generation. KITV
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ A Wallet Hub report released in May shows that Hawaii’s mortgage delinquency rate hit 5.64% in Q1—an increase of 2.86% from Q4, raising concerns about homeowners staying current on payments. Hawaii Free Press
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel announced a temporary suspension of all unapproved Faculty Special Salary Adjustments effective immediately with exceptions only for retention to protect against ongoing federal funding changes. The university also said 80 federally funded grants have been affected, the U.S. Department of Justice launched a new initiative to probe DEI policies, and federal courts issued rulings that support research funding—measures taken to help maintain UH’s financial stability. Hawaii Free Press
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Hawaii officials filed a $9 million alteration permit—starting the redevelopment of Aloha Stadium and its entertainment district. Demolition is scheduled to begin this summer—projected to cost about $400 million for a new sports complex in Aiea with plans to open by UH's home opener in 2028. KITV
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A study shows that Hawaii had the fifth highest rate of medical malpractice claims with 87 reports per 1,000 practitioners from 2020 to 2024. Florida-based lawyers Anidjar & Levine did the study and say the state needs better controls in its medical care system. Hawaii Free Press
- ➤ A new UHERO report showed that physical health and access to mental care have worsened in our state, with only 40% rating their health as excellent or very good and nearly 40% of young adults unable to get mental healthcare. The survey found that Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and low-income groups were hardest hit—leading experts to urge policy makers to boost community health services and improve food and housing support—underscoring a need for swift action. Hawaii Free Press
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Former four-star quarterback Dermaricus 'MarMar' Davis confirmed he is transferring from UCLA to the University of Hawaii football team — he will join the Rainbow Warriors in June with four seasons of eligibility after feeling at home on a UH recruiting trip. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Most people will choose unhappiness over uncertainty.
~ Tim Ferriss
About 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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