Happy
Honolulu
Friday, September 19th, 2025
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 19th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ This Saturday, families will join the Rainforest Ramble Run in Makiki Valley for an outdoor event—participants are encouraged to take part in a fun, active gathering. KITV
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ A three-time world champion surfer said Hawaiian Airlines denied him his surfboards Tuesday morning—he said the decision felt like a slap in the face. Hawaii News Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ O‘ahu will host Oktoberfest celebrations at 10 venues starting Sept 20—events offer German beers, bratwurst, live music and a range of free and ticketed options for both military and public attendees. The festivities include limited-edition steins, competitions and festive street food throughout the week. Honolulu Magazine
- ➤ HONOLULU Magazine hosted the first Celebrating Wahine Awards at Mariposa at Neiman Marcus on Sept. 10 to honor 39 extraordinary women whose leadership shapes Hawai‘i—Maile Meyer received the Doris Duke Visionary Voice Award, accepted by her daughter Emma, while community leaders and guests shared stories and enjoyed pūpū. Honolulu Magazine
- ➤ Idea’s Music and Books, which started as Jelly’s Comics and Books in 1983, will close on Sept. 21 at its Kakaako location—celebrating four decades of community memories with an 'A Hui Hou' festival featuring live music. Staff and longtime patrons have valued its friendly, family-run feel. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Honolulu residents can enjoy a busy weekend featuring the Ka Mai‘a Ho‘olaule‘a Banana Festival on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Windward Community College, the DRIPNIQ Picnic and Music Festival on Sept. 20 at the Bishop Museum Great Lawn, and the Great Hawai‘i Rubber Duckie Race on Sept. 20 at 1:20 p.m. along the Ala Wai Canal. Additional events include the Night of 1,000 Julias performance today at 7:30 p.m. at the Scottish Rite Cathedral and the Aloha Festivals Ho‘olaule‘a block party on Sept. 20 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Kalākaua Avenue. Honolulu Magazine
- ➤ The locally produced film Chaperone extends its theatrical run in Hawaii — it will be shown at Consolidated Ward Theaters through Sept. 25, in Waimea on Sept. 27, in Kona on Sept. 28 and Oct. 1, and in Kihei on Oct. 1 with an extra screening in Honokaʻa pending. The award-winning film, featuring an all-AANHPI cast and created by Hawaii Island native Zoë Eisenberg with a score by Taimane Gardner, will stream nationally on Oct. 3. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Today, Hawaii audiences can watch Jason Momoa’s 'Chief of War' finale at the historic Hawaii Theatre — the series debuts its concluding episode after weeks of buildup. KITV
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off Russia this morning at 8:58 a.m. Hawaii time and officials have not determined if it poses a tsunami threat to Hawaii—if a threat develops, the earliest hazard could begin by 2:51 p.m. today with tsunami waves reaching 1 to 3 feet—. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Governor Josh Green signed an Executive Order on Thursday to improve road safety after 93 traffic deaths occurred in 2025—most of them were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists. The order, effective Sept. 18, will add electric bike rules at public schools and require safety classes for drivers caught speeding or driving while impaired. KITV
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Heavenly's Hawaii Kai restaurant hosted a tasting event of An-dis wines (a local venture known for its green approach to winemaking) on September 18th. KITV
- ➤ A recent feature reviews several Honolulu dessert spots that serve unique ice cream, gelato, soft serve and sherbet made with local ingredients—shops like 7 Gradi and Asato Family Shop offer creative flavors that capture island taste. Readers can explore these local favorites to enjoy a range of classic and inventive sweet treats in the city. Honolulu Magazine
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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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