Happy
Honolulu
Monday, October 13th, 2025
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 13th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ On Sunday morning, about a thousand gathered at Kaohao to honor Hopena Pokipala, a local waterman who died in a car crash in Waimanalo last month. Friends continue his legacy with a paddle out — a tribute that celebrated his love for the ocean and the community he served. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ At Hard Rock Cafe on Sunday, local artist Stefani Truyol led a PINKTOBER Sip and Paint Brunch that raised money for a local breast cancer charity—one guest painted in honor of a close survivor—and organizers plan to hold the event monthly to support more nonprofits. KITV
- ➤ More than 200 local business leaders were honored Saturday night at Hilton Hawaiian Village during the Filipino Community Center’s Bayanihan Gala; Russell Lau of Finance Factors, Christina Hause of Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Gabe Lee from UH, and Dr. Lawrence Tseu were recognized for their work to uplift the Filipino community—demonstrating deep local support for Filipino values. Hawaii News Now
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ On Friday, the Hawaii Insurance Division announced that DTRIC Insurance will exit the market after over thirty years of business, citing rising costs & natural disaster exposure as factors that made profitability difficult. The company will manage existing policies and claims but stop issuing new policies or renewals, and policyholders are advised to consult their agents for updated coverage options. KITV
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ This October, Hawaii hosts a range of Halloween events—plans include ghost tours on Oahu, a kid-friendly pumpkin pa'ina in Kaka'ako, a costume contest at Hyatt Waikiki, and themed activities on Maui, Kauai and the Big Island that promise spooky fun. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ About a thousand people gathered along Kaohao's shores to honor waterman Hopena Pokipala, who died last month in a car crash in Waimanalo. Terry Hunter reviewed THE SMASHING MACHINE—featuring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt—and said the film’s script closely follows a 2003 documentary instead of offering a new take. Hawaii News Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The John A. Burns School of Medicine celebrated 60 years of healing Hawaii on Saturday night at the Royal Hawaiian—over 500 people listened to Jake Shimabukuro and saw honors given to alumni Dr. Neal Palafox and Dr. Reni Soon. The school, which has trained more than 3,000 doctors, will soon expand its programs with new residencies on Kauai. Hawaii News Now
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Grassroot Institute of Hawaii and Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice are hosting a forum titled Building Common Ground: Expanding Housing in Hawaii at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaiʻi in Honolulu on Oct 15 from noon to 1 p.m.—state Rep. Luke Evslin will speak in person while U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz submits pre-recorded remarks due to the federal shutdown. Registration is required and admission costs $30—this fee includes lunch and parking. Hawaii Free Press
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ CDC data shows that Hawaii kindergarten vaccination rates are below the national average as only 89.9% of students received measles shots and religious exemptions increased from 5.3% to 5.4% for the 2024-25 school year—this rate falls short of the 95% needed for herd immunity. Health officials are warning that these numbers could lead to outbreaks in areas with even lower coverage and are working with schools to provide more vaccine information to families. Hawaii Tribune-Herald
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Team OPT from Tahiti won the grueling 2025 Molokai Hoe with a final time of 4 hours, 42 minutes, and 2 seconds. All top four finishers were Tahitian crews on the 38-mile course from Hale O Lono to Waikiki—showing their clear dominance. Hawaii News Now
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.
~ Les Brown
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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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