Happy
Honolulu
Wednesday, September 17th, 2025
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Wednesday, the 17th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Residents in Honolulu can vote in an online poll to decide if Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden should be closed on Tuesdays or Thursdays to protect its beauty. The garden may get a day of rest — a change that will affect its operating schedule. KITV
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Hawaii Pacific University announced a new three-year Bachelor of Science in Global Business that will let students finish a 90-credit degree by starting in fall 2026. The program is arranged in twelve eight-week terms and offers hands-on internships and summer study abroad opportunities—using local mentors in Kakaʻako—so students can gain real-world skills. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Math teacher Lynn Otaguro of Farrington High School received a $1,000 gift card for her classroom during Extra Yard for Teachers Week Tuesday morning—presented by the Hawaii Bowl Foundation to honor her extra tutoring efforts. She was recognized for her long-time dedication to her students. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Kamehameha Schools—a private institution founded by a Hawaiian princess—defends its policy of giving admissions preference to Native Hawaiians amid a legal challenge by Students for Fair Admissions led by Edward Blum. Local leaders including Councilor Andria Tupola and community members urge the school to fight the dispute—stating that the policy supports Native Hawaiian education and traditions—despite critics claiming it may violate federal law. KITV
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa discovered a new deep-sea coral off Molokai and named it Chewbacca coral—its long, flexible branches resemble the famous Star Wars character’s fur. The species was first seen in 2006 and near the Mariana Trench in 2016 and is detailed in a study published in Zootaxa. Hawaii News Now
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Developer Stanford Carr and senior advisor Brennon Morioka outlined the timeline and cost for the Aloha Stadium project as demolition is set to begin next month—plans include a delayed opening until 2029. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ New noise cameras have been installed on Waikiki's Ala Moana Boulevard to collect vehicle noise data while not issuing tickets — officials said the system will help monitor sound levels over time. KITV
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Queen’s Medical Center-West O‘ahu is expanding its Emergency Department, Cancer Center, and Kahi Mohala—Hawaii’s only freestanding nonprofit psychiatric hospital—with new space and services to better serve local patients. The ED will triple in size with 32 new care spaces while the Cancer Center adds extra treatment bays and infusion rooms, with all projects scheduled for completion in early 2029. Hawaii Business
- ➤ Hawaii cancer survivors and advocates met with Congress in Washington DC Tuesday to try to protect research funding before the federal budget deadline on Sept 30 – they joined over 700 people from across the country and urged support for the bipartisan Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. Hawaii News Now
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ University of Hawaii quarterback Micah Alejado is expected to start against Fresno State this week. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ University of Hawaii football and women's volleyball players earned weekly league honors Monday — a sign of their strong performance on the field. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
~ Jesus
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