Happy
Honolulu
Thursday, October 16th, 2025
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 16th of October.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Honolulu's weekend guide offers a mix of events from STEM workshops and historic palace tours to reggae music festivals and after-hours maritime history talks. It features events such as the Astronaut Lacy Veach Day of Discovery on Oct 19 (at the Institute for Astronomy), the Queen Emma Summer Palace Festival on Oct 18, and Filipino American history celebrations on Oct 18–19. Honolulu Magazine
- ➤ The Hawai‘i International Film Festival will show four foodie films from Japan, South Korea, the Philippines and Scotland starting Saturday Oct 18 at Consolidated Theatres Kāhala and later on the West Side and Neighbor Islands. Directors and special guests will join screenings that feature a mix of documentaries and action-comedies exploring tradition, modern creativity and political themes + cultural heritage. Honolulu Magazine
- ➤ The historic 'Falls of Clyde,' a once celebrated floating museum, will be sunk 12 miles off Oahu—marking its final voyage as a museum vessel. KITV
- ➤ Early this morning, two tug boats towed the 146-year-old Falls of Clyde from its berth at Pier 7 in Honolulu Harbor, and it will be sunk later today about 25 miles off Oahu’s south shore — the removal was led by the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Shipwright LLC to make the harbor safer. The historic ship, which once served as a museum and transport vessel, had faced years of controversy before its final disposal was approved. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The state fined a company $2.4M for illegally discharging soil and construction materials into protected wetlands after DOH determined the practice began in 2015—an action that underscores strict environmental enforcement. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ In 2022, a group of teenagers sued the state department of transportation over their right to a clean and healthy environment. They are now challenging the use of jet fuels as Hawaii works to eliminate carbon emissions by 2045 — a move aimed at protecting local air quality. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Today, Hawaii County’s Department of Water Supply announced it detected low levels of PFOS—known as forever chemicals—in Kulaimano Well A, a source of drinking water for Pepeekeo and the Hamakua Coast, with readings within EPA limits; the department plans to test over 60 sites islandwide as repairs continue on Kulaimano Well B. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- ➤ Bishop Museum is partnering with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to save Hawaii's endangered species using biobanking — a process that preserves DNA, living cells, and reproductive material for native birds and land snails. The global network, which includes hubs in Kenya, Vietnam, and Peru, aims to protect both wildlife and the cultural stories connected to them. Hawaii News Now
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Four new rail stations and five extra miles of track opened from East Kapolei to Middle Street — easing commutes for Honolulu residents. The project was completed on October 15 and is part of efforts to improve local transit. KITV
- ➤ More than 650 business and community leaders attended a sold-out symposium hosted by the US Japan Council at the Sheraton Waikiki on Wednesday, and a 100-person delegation from Japan was present. The event discussed economic security, sustainability and women's leadership while honoring Senator Daniel K Inouye's legacy in strengthening ties between the nations. Hawaii News Now
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Since 2023, Hawai‘i Pacific Health has joined forces with local groups to boost affordable housing, local food access and financial services—efforts that have led to 900 new homes, loans for over 90 small farmers and assistance for 1,700 households. The non-profit continues to work with partners to enhance job training and financial education for under-resourced communities. Hawaii Business
- ➤ DOH said that nine individuals at an Oahu school experienced gastrointestinal illness after drinking recalled Meadow Gold Dairy half-pint chocolate milk (expiration date Oct. 16) and reported that symptoms were mild and did not require urgent care. KITV
- ➤ The Department of Water Supply detected low levels of PFOS in Kula‘imano Well A of the Pepe‘ekeo water system during voluntary drinking water testing, with results ranging from 2.6 to 3.0 ng/L that meet EPA safe drinking standards—reported to the Department of Health. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ The Hawai'i Department of Health said Meadow Gold Dairy is recalling half-pint chocolate milk—marked with today's expiration date—for quality issues after nine children at one elementary school on O‘ahu became sick with stomach aches and vomiting. About 70,000 units were distributed statewide. Hawaii Free Press
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The greatest teacher is your last mistake.
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