Happy
Honolulu
Saturday, September 27th, 2025
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 27th of September.
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines have merged their loyalty programs into Atmos Rewards to give local travelers more points and rewards. Starting October 1, Atmos Rewards will let former HawaiianMiles members earn up to 5x more points on Neighbor Island flights—offering more benefits and global travel options. Hawaii Business
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Hawai‘i’s largest cultural celebration has begun, and the 77th Annual Floral Parade will roll through Waikīkī tomorrow — featuring lively music, bright floats, and the spirit of aloha. KITV
- ➤ The Mid-Autumn Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will feature lion dances, a new lantern-making contest, martial arts, stargazing and local food vendors—organized by Chinatown 808 to celebrate the full moon and fall harvest. Honolulu Magazine
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ A UHERO forecast released on September 26 shows Hawaiʻi faces a mild recession with falling tourism, stalled job growth and rising inflation due to tariffs and trade policy issues—construction is the only growth area supported by new federal projects. The report warns that lower visitor spending and weak housing activity will raise costs for households while a slow recovery is expected by late next year. Hawaii Free Press
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Hawaii families will see a reduction in monthly SNAP benefits starting Wednesday as the state Department of Human Services applies federally mandated changes to the Thrifty Food Plan—single households will lose about $11 and families of four will drop about $34. DHS advises households to update their expense files to help maximize their benefits amid high living costs and growing food insecurity. Hawaii Tribune-Herald
- ➤ Chairperson Colleen Hanabusa resigned from the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation board, effective Tuesday, after her recent absences were noted at the June 21, 2024, meeting—Vice Chair Kika Bukoski praised her service and contributions to the over $10 billion Skyline rail project. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- ➤ On Friday, 31 recruits from the Honolulu Fire Department’s 118th Fire Fighter Recruit Class finished a 34-week, 1,320-hour training program at the Hawaii Okinawa Center’s Legacy Ballroom and officially joined the fire service. Graduates including Gino Kim and Micah Layosa will join specialized units to protect the community—marking a key milestone in Honolulu’s public safety efforts. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Hawaii Supreme Court Associate Justice Sabrina McKenna will become acting chief justice on Wednesday—October 1—after Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald retired at the end of September, and she is the longest-serving active jurist guiding the Judiciary until a permanent chief justice is named. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Sprout Organics has recalled 3.5-ounce pouches of Sweet Potato, Apple and Spinach baby food sold nationwide, including at Walgreens stores, after tests found possible elevated lead levels—Hawaii residents are urged to check their pantries and return the recalled items for a refund. Parents are advised to contact a doctor if young children consumed the product, and no illnesses have been reported. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ The Hawaii Department of Health warned residents today about a nationwide recall of frozen shrimp products sold at local supermarkets due to possible radioactive contamination—cesium-137 was found in one shipment. Officials are working with retailers to remove the affected product and advise consumers to return it for a refund. Hawaii News Now
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Julian Williams from Waialua became the first Native Hawaiian and African-American shortboarder to compete in the World Surf League—he started surfing later, lived in his car when money was tight in California, and earned a wildcard invite to the U.S. Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach as he works for a permanent tour spot. Hawaii News Now
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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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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