Good morning, Honolulu.

The 36th annual PetWalk returns to Kapiolani Regional Park on Saturday, Oct.

24 from 7 a.m. to noon — featuring a morning stretch, 1.8-mile walk, pet expo, and costume contest that supports free adoptions and waives fees at Humane Society campuses all weekend.

Honolulu Fire Department crews responded to a residential fire on Puunui Ave in Nuuanu late Sunday night and extinguished the flames while EMS treated one person who left safely as investigators began probing the cause.

Business leaders in Hawai‘i reported in the recent BOSS survey on Sunday, Oct.

18 that conditions have worsened over the past five years due to rising costs, hiring issues and housing concerns + these challenges increase economic uncertainty for employers and families.

Business leaders from Nevada and Honolulu are meeting at the Hawaii Business Exchange Summit at the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort as the Vegas Chamber leads discussions on tourism, workforce shortages, and economic development.

The event runs from Monday through Wednesday.

Crews are setting up holiday decorations at Honolulu Hale’s Frank F.

Fasi Civic Center Grounds and along Alapaʻi + Beretania streets. New attractions include a lighted tunnel, illuminated trees, and a train for keiki rides, with the City Lights celebration beginning Dec. 5.

A reproduction of Princess Kaiulani's ivory gown (the final piece of a decade-long project to recreate royal garments) was unveiled at ʻIolani Palace on Oct.

19, marking what would have been her 151st birthday, and it is now on display.

Hawaii businesses are facing 10%+ health care cost hikes for half a million employees as open enrollment pushes employers to adjust premiums.

Local owners say high costs force some restaurants and small shops to close.

Hawaii farmers in Kekaha are struggling after recent storms damaged fruit trees and halted produce shipments, with losses for about 1,800 farms estimated at $50 million and possibly up to $100 million; recovery may take years while aid programs help support local agriculture.

Hawaii is offering a tuition award program (HOME RUN) that pays tuition for health care students at John A.

Burns School of Medicine in exchange for a five-year work commitment in rural areas. The program, using federal funds and already drawing over 500 applicants, aims to ease local health worker shortages.

Farrington High School’s JROTC program (established in 1946) celebrates 80 years this year with over 200 cadets at Farrington, highlighting its role in preparing students for future success.

The Hawai’i Wildlife Center asks residents to record sightings of the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat using the free iNaturalist app ahead of International Bat Week from Oct.

24 to 31. Locals should keep pets away and call the center at (808) 884-5000 if they see an injured bat.

Teams from the Division of Aquatic Resources and HERR Network partners are working to restore hurricane-damaged coral reefs off Oahu’s west coast after Hurricanes Lala and Lowell.

Divers have been reattaching broken coral pieces — a key step in renewing the marine environment.

Brandon Atumata of ʻEwa Beach was discharged Monday from Queen’s Medical Center after receiving the state’s first LVAD implant, which helped him avoid an extended recovery on the mainland.

The breakthrough procedure shows that local doctors can keep advanced heart care at home (enhancing patient access).