Happy
Honolulu
Monday, September 15th, 2025
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 15th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ After a six-year break, Empty Bowl Hawaii returns to help families in need as the Hawaii Potters’ Guild hosts the event on Saturday, Sept 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center—proceeds will benefit Chef Hui and Aloha Harvest’s Feed the People Hawaii program. Hawaii News Now
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Honolulu firefighters battled a wildland fire on Farrington Highway in Nanakuli reported at 7:40 a.m. Sunday and increased containment from 50% at 8:28 a.m. to 75% by 9:27 a.m.—officials said no evacuations were needed. Hawaii News Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ OUTRIGGER Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort has unveiled Navigator Suites to honor voyaging legend Billy Richards—celebrated for his role in reviving traditional Hawaiian navigation. The unveiling recognized his lifelong contributions to local culture and history. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Local organizers will hold the Hawaii Comedy Festival’s 11th event at the Honolulu Museum of Art’s Doris Duke Theatre on Sept. 19 and 20. The festival will feature new musical comedies and improv shows by local talent. Hawaii News Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Kamehameha Schools faces a legal challenge from Students for Fair Admissions that claims its preference for Native Hawaiian students is unlawful. School leaders say they are prepared to defend the policy and call on community support to protect the trust—upholding Princess Pauahi Bishop’s legacy. Hawaii Tribune-Herald
- ➤ Hawaii Baptist Academy opened a new 7,000 square foot Innovation and Discovery Center—named for Hugh and Mary McCormick—as part of its Campaign for Transformation. The center features a hands-on innovation station, a collaboration lab, and a learning commons that help students explore their potential. Hawaii News Now
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Volunteers will plant over 1,000 native plants along Kailua Beach Park’s shoreline near Kawailoa Road parking lot on Saturday, Sept 27 as part of a sand dune restoration effort—this follows a May event that placed more than 300 plants to help prevent beach erosion. Hawaii News Now
FINANCE NEWS
- ➤ Starting in 2026, taxpayers can deduct $1,000 for cash donations to charity—$2,000 for joint filers—even if they do not itemize deductions, while contributions to private foundations still require itemized deductions. The new law raises the standard deduction and adds extra amounts for seniors and blind taxpayers but sets a 0.5% income floor on itemized contributions. Hawaii Free Press
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ A developer led by Stanford Carr is planning to begin demolition of Aloha Stadium in October—cost estimates have risen amid unclear taxpayer funding and secret contract details. Joe Kent from the Grassroot Institute urged the state to clarify these issues to protect taxpayers. Hawaii Free Press
- ➤ The Hawai‘i Supreme Court ruled in favor of Governor Green’s affordable housing emergency proclamations by confirming that measures taken from the sixth proclamation onward met public safety needs—while it found the first five exceeded his powers. Hawaii Free Press
- ➤ On September 12, the Supreme Court ruled that doctors and patients can bypass HMSA’s arbitration for claims including those from Dr. Nitta, Norton, and Orcino—letting them take their disputes to court while other claims remain in arbitration. Hawaii Free Press
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ A local guide details a scenic road trip from Waimānalo to Kahana—starting with a 7:30 a.m. malasadas stop in Kailua and a stroll along quiet beaches, then a visit to a historic Friendship Garden and local shopping—and ending with a swim at Kahana Bay while traveling through 13 traditional ahupua‘a in Windward O‘ahu. Honolulu Magazine
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Impatience with actions, patience with results.
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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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