Happy
Honolulu
Sunday, October 5th, 2025
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Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Sunday, the 5th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ A Hawaii-born activist—one of hundreds detained while trying to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza—was held by the Israeli government earlier this week. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Today the annual Hawaii Children and Youth Day celebration takes place at the state capitol with free entry, live music, food from local vendors, and fun activities including a spin wheel, bean bag challenge, and nutritious refreshments. Ronald McDonald will greet families in an air-conditioned Happy Meal tent — a popular attraction for keiki and visitors. Hawaii News Now
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Hawaii tourism officials are working to use film to show the islands as a visitor destination and create local jobs—panel speakers at the Hawai‘i Tourism Conference explained the plan at the convention center. The effort aims to build a closer link between film and tourism for a more genuine island experience. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Hundreds gathered on Saturday at the Chinatown Cultural Plaza to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and bought moon cakes and popular dishes—marking the end of the harvest season and a cherished cultural celebration. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ A new month-long series of free events at Capitol Modern is celebrating Filipino American History Month by honoring Filipino plantation workers—sakadas—and highlighting modern Filipino voices with programs that mix music, movement, food, fashion and storytelling. Organized by House of Gongs and partners, the festivities include a keiki workshop on Oct. 18 and a festival finale on Oct. 25 that bring community members together. Hawaii News Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ UH safety officer Matagi Thompson said his late uncle inspired him to forge his own path while honoring his family's storied legacy. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- ➤ The University of Hawaii reached a record high this fall with 51,411 students across 10 campuses, marking the highest enrollment in eight years and a 2% increase over last fall. UH Manoa enrolled 20,404 students and 3,294 degree-seeking freshmen—figures that show steady growth in the system. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Wespac is moving to reopen a protected Pacific marine monument to commercial fishing, and a coalition of Native Hawaiian leaders—fishers, scientists, and environmental advocates—is working with officials to review the proposal. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ State regulators ended a four-day hearing on Young Brothers' request for a 26% rate hike for interisland cargo and automatic annual inflation adjustments after testimony and tough questions about the company's $74 million investment in new barges and tugboats. The Public Utilities Commission will decide by the end of the year as concerns over rising costs—and Young Brothers’ overall financial health—remain at the center of the debate. Hawaii Tribune-Herald
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ DOH data shows that kindergartners in Hawaii improved their vaccination rates for the 2024-25 school year, although religious exemptions among K-12 students increased slightly from last year—raising concerns about reaching herd immunity as measles and pertussis remain issues. The department plans to expand its Healthy Hawaiʻi Partners Program in schools to offer immunizations and other health services to families. Hawaii Free Press
- ➤ Foster Poultry Farms is recalling about 3.8 million pounds of chicken corn dogs for possible wood contamination after customer complaints led the USDA to investigate—affected products were made from July 30 through August 4 and were sent to retail and institutional sites nationwide. Hawaii News Now
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ At Kunuiakea Stadium on Saturday, Kamehameha stunned top-ranked Saint Louis 28-21 when Nainoa Melchor scored a 34-yard touchdown run with 2:30 remaining and Taimane Purcell scored on a 34-yard touchdown reception—boosting the Warriors' season chances. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- ➤ South Korea’s Youmin Hwang birdied five of the last six holes on Saturday to win the Lotte Championship at Ewa Beach — finishing at 17 under par and one stroke ahead of Hyo Joo Kim — and mark her first LPGA Tour victory while she may opt to join the tour immediately. Hawaii Tribune-Herald
TRAVEL NEWS
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