Happy
Honolulu
Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 23rd of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The YMCA of Honolulu has received $300K to build a new intergenerational room—part of plans to update its Nuʻuanu facility. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Auntie Ramona Okumura, a retired Oahu teacher, was trapped in Gaza two years ago during her medical mission when rockets and bombs closed the borders; a coordinated national effort got her home safely to Honokaʻa where she thanked supporters at the Peace Day Festival—she now offers virtual consultations and plans to help start a new clinic for prosthetic care when a ceasefire occurs. KITV
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Honolulu firefighters put out a two-alarm fire in a Kuliouou Valley home over the weekend that displaced a household of four at 403 Kuliouou Road—using 11 units and forcible entry tools to attack the blaze—and the American Red Cross aided the displaced residents while investigators work to determine the cause. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ A whistleblower has turned in new photos of the May 6th fuel spill at Red Hill that deepened a criminal probe against two civilians. John Floyd and Nelson Wu—accused of lying and conspiracy—will go to trial in late October as the investigation continues. Hawaii News Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Hong Yeon 홍연 opened Sept 10 on Isenberg Street in Mō‘ili‘ili and is offering a $10 jjajangmyeon special until the end of September—weekday lunch specials run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Honolulu Magazine
- ➤ Award-winning musician Kala‘e Camarillo will perform seven original songs on Nā Mele on Monday, Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m.—he is a music teacher at Kamehameha Middle School Kapālama and his set will be streamed on pbshawaii.org and YouTube. Honolulu Magazine
- ➤ Local students named the new Hawaiian monk seal Kahuoka'ena on September 22 to honor the sunrise glow over the Mokulua Islands (a symbol of natural beauty). KITV
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Mālama Maunalua partnered with the City and County of Honolulu and local nonprofits to install a rainwater capture system Monday in Moanalua Valley as part of the Rainwater Capture Incentive Program to protect reefs and reduce flooding. The rain barrels capture stormwater for home gardens and help keep pollutants from reaching the ocean—nearly 2,300 households have applied for the program. KITV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Officials are working to improve traffic and safety on Dole Street near UH Manoa—residents report mixed reactions. KITV
- ➤ Gov. Josh Green said on Sunrise that state leaders will try to restart the 2026 Sentry project at Kapalua after drought forced its cancellation. He said more details will be shared soon — officials plan new steps for the project. Hawaii News Now
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Kaiser Permanente workers in Hawaii voted to authorize a strike if a new contract is not reached by the end of this month—more than 2,000 frontline employees demand safer staffing ratios and fair pay. Workers claim they are paid 30% less than peers nationwide after six months of bargaining. KITV
- ➤ More than 2,000 Kaiser Permanente workers in Hawaii voted on Monday morning to authorize a strike—this vote could lead to work stoppages if contract talks fall through. The vote signals rising labor tensions that may affect local health services. Hawaii News Now
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Don't look for happiness. Look for meaning.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
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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