Happy
Honolulu
Monday, May 25th, 2026
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 25th of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The main field at Waikele Community Park — a popular local spot — is closing Tuesday for three months for turf restoration and upgrades. KITV
- ➤ Internet personality Tana Mongeau uses revenue from her new podcast's debut episode to support Hawaiʻi flooding relief funds by donating a portion of AdSense revenue. Her TikTok, which garnered millions of views, raised awareness about the islands' need for aid. KITV
- ➤ Volunteers across Oahu are sewing and collecting thousands of lei to honor every grave at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl today for Memorial Day — recent graduates are urged to donate their commencement lei to the effort. KITV
- ➤ Influencer Tana Mongeau's debut podcast episode will allocate part of its revenue to two major Hawai'i relief funds following a viral TikTok that highlighted recent island flooding, aiming to support local recovery efforts. KITV
- ➤ Hawaiʻi Kia dealerships will distribute 600 food bags across four islands this summer as part of a 60K dollars campaign to support keiki facing food insecurity when school meals end. KITV
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Traffic officials and advocates warned drivers to avoid impaired driving as graduations and holiday celebrations ramp up risks ahead of the '100 deadliest days of summer' (from Memorial Day to Labor Day) and urged adherence to the 3-Foot Law for cyclist safety. Hawaii News Now
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Mufi Hannemann, who has led the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association (HLTA) since 2011, is stepping down with no set departure date as the group begins its search for a new president. Officials said the leadership change may reshape local tourism. KITV
- ➤ Thirty Eight at Pier 38 offers a hook-to-table dining experience with fresh seafood from local boats and produce from nearby farms. The restaurant is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with happy hour (2-5 p.m.) adding local flavor to the waterfront. Hawaii News Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ ART House by illuminated ART Hawaii opens as a community hub at Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa, showcasing work by over 20 local artists + products from 30 small businesses. Its grand opening is set for May 30 at 6 p.m. and will include a monthly Featured Artist Series. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Descendants of U.S. and Japanese wartime leaders held a peace ceremony Sunday at Pearl Harbor, where they blew out the flame and signed an oath of peace. The event marked a respectful effort to honor a historical alliance. Hawaii News Now
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Hawaii's jobless rate slipped over three months (now at 2.5%) and remains one of the nation's lowest, showing a shift from earlier ties for the lowest rate. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Ted Kefalas of the Grassroot Institute said the legislature ended its session on May 8 by defeating proposals for property, capital gains, and conveyance tax hikes while preserving 2024 income tax cuts for most residents. He noted progress on housing reforms & warned a new 13% bracket for incomes over $1 million may drive valuable top earners away. Hawaii Free Press
- ➤ The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is evaluating a potential purchase of KITV-KIKU—a local ABC affiliate featuring Japanese and Filipino programming—to strengthen Native Hawaiian ownership, and the agency issued an RFP for valuation before discussing advisory services at its Board meeting on Thursday. Hawaii Tribune-Herald
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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