Happy
Honolulu
Wednesday, June 18th, 2025
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Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 18th of June.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Five farmers will leave Kamilonui Valley when their 50-year leases expire at the end of June as Kamehameha Schools offers one-year agreements to nine tenants, while other farmers remain in the area. The community is waiting for the trust to share its strategic plan for the valley's future—especially with changes expected in its agricultural designation by 2040. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ On Tuesday, about two dozen rookie LA Rams players joined Habitat for Humanity Maui volunteers in Lahaina to rebuild a fire survivor’s home after their minicamp on Monday — a project that shows their strong care for local neighbors. Habitat for Humanity Los Angeles organized the effort to learn from recent wildfires and help rebuild homes — a step aimed at supporting families still recovering. Hawaii News Now
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A head-on crash just before 9 p.m. Tuesday near Punaluu left two young women dead and two others critically injured as first responders rescued trapped victims from an overturned car—Kamehameha Highway was closed in both directions during the incident. Hawaii News Now
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ The Ala Moana hotel on Atkinson Drive is starting major renovations on its Waikiki and Kona towers to update over 1,100 rooms floor by floor+ so guests have little disruption. Manta Group said the work will add lei-inspired walls, new furniture, cabinetry, carpeting, and modern lights+ with renovations planned to finish by the end of 2025. Hawaii News Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The 5th Annual Hawai‘i Hotel & Restaurant Show opens today at 8:30 a.m. at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall and will feature a Hawaiian blessing by Kahu Kordell Kekoa as well as remarks from Mufi Hannemann, Dave Kennedy, and local government leaders—this two-day event will showcase over 200 exhibitors from the hospitality and foodservice industries and is open to the public, media and industry professionals. KITV
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The state will open 50 new public pre-K classrooms statewide over the next two years as part of the Ready Keiki initiative, serving more than 2,700 children. Twenty-five classrooms will launch by August with renovations costing about $291,000—$320,000 per site and include changes at Kalihi Elementary. Hawaii News Now
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A major brush fire at Schofield Barracks burned 570 acres and was 50% contained by Monday evening as Army and federal firefighters dropped over 181,000 gallons of water with two helicopters—officials said the blaze did not threaten nearby homes or facilities and work continued on Tuesday morning. KITV
- ➤ Residents of Kahikinui Homestead had a tense night away from home when a brush fire caused an evacuation—highlighting the challenges of limited infrastructure in their rural community. KITV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The Hawaii Department of Transportation said vehicle inspection fees will rise by 75 cents to $25.75 for cars starting July 1. Fees for motorcycles and trailers will be $17.75 and sticker replacement will cost $7.09—HDOT said the hike covers rising costs to run the inspection program. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Volunteers from Friends of Haiku Stairs filed an appeal on June 12 against a ruling to demolish the historic World War II landmark in Kaneohe—claiming the state did not follow proper procedure or consider other preservation options. The group is asking the State Historic Preservation Division to conduct another survey while the city continues plans to remove the stairs because of illegal hikes. KITV
SHOP NEWS
- ➤ TODAY'S SPONSOR We never have to worry about dead batteries and missed calls thanks to this portable power bank that can charge up to five devices at once. The Buy
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Character is much easier kept than recovered.
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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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