Good morning, Honolulu.

The Hawaii Community Foundation's Stronger Hawai'i initiative — mobilizing over $750,000 in relief funds — supported communities statewide before Hurricane Lala made landfall yesterday.

A panel of local food writers has curated 24 dishes that capture Oʻahu’s culinary heritage — from chichi dango at a century-old candy store to cake noodle at a popular bar.

The feature explains how these recipes reflect local history and flavor, connecting residents to their island’s past and present.

Chao Restaurant Group, led by Chancelor Kim and Dong Dang, won the 2026 Hale ‘Aina Awards’ Restaurateurs of the Year.

The group (once a poke shop) now operates multiple Honolulu eateries and pauses expansion to strengthen its team.

Chao Hawai‘i, at 1613 Nu‘uanu Ave.—named Best New Restaurant at the 2026 Hale ‘Aina Awards—offers a playful twist on Vietnamese cuisine with dishes like beef carpaccio and soft-shell crab pasta that mix tradition and modern flavor.

The Hawaii Swim Show marked its fifth anniversary at Wai Kai this weekend, featuring two days of creativity + style.

Local and international designers shared the runway with models of all ages.

Dolly Parton filmed her ABC variety show at Waimea Valley in 1987 when she visited Oahu and joined the Honolulu Boys Choir for a rendition of 'How Great Thou Art.' Her visit remains a cherished moment in local entertainment.

Punahou senior Nikhil Wong has authored a children's book, What Would You Wish For, that highlights the inspiring wishes of four Make-a-Wish Hawaii kids (50% of proceeds will benefit the charity).

He held a local signing event to promote diverse keiki stories.

Fourteen Waianae residents graduated from Oahu's first localized EMT program on Aug.

31, gaining vital healthcare training that opens future job opportunities on the Leeward Coast.

The Papahanaumokuakea Marine Debris Project team returned to Honolulu after a 21-day mission to remove 48,680 pounds of ghost nets and plastic waste from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and they will return in mid-September for a final mission of 2026.

Tropical Storm Lowell — at 65 mph — is forecast to become a major hurricane by Wednesday as it sweeps near the Islands, with swells expected midweek.

At 11 a.m. today it was 740 miles southeast of Hilo and moving west at 13 mph.

A WalletHub report shows that Hawaii ranks third among states for budgeting, with housing costs representing 1.4% of the median home price— the lowest ratio in the country.

The study finds that residents save money for emergencies and pay more than the minimum on credit cards to avoid extra charges.

Kai Lenny, one of Hawaii’s celebrated watermen, returned home on Aug.

31 to discuss his surfing, foiling and carrying Hawaii’s spirit worldwide during a talk in Honolulu + the event underscored his impact on local watersports.