Happy
Honolulu
Tuesday, November 18th, 2025
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 18th of November.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ A new village style housing project in Waimanalo will help 188 unhoused residents — including kūpuna and families — and is set to begin soon. KITV
- ➤ Veterans, military service members, and spouses will attend free career events hosted by Hiring Our Heroes in Oahu this week — the events will connect them with employers who value their skills. KITV
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Papa Ole's Kitchen, a popular North Shore eatery known for its ono dishes, will close on December 15 after serving locals and visitors for 19 years + the restaurant said the decision was made with their ohana's best interest in mind. KITV
- ➤ Local Hawai‘i business owners face rising supply costs and an upcoming minimum wage hike from $14 to $16 an hour on January 1—owners say these changes will shrink profits and force them to adopt new cost-saving measures while still supporting their staff. KITV
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Rising grocery prices may impact Thanksgiving menus – key staples cost more – and many shoppers in Honolulu are advised to adjust their plans ahead of the holiday. KITV
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ The federal government has reopened and Hawaii officials are restoring SNAP benefits after a shutdown disrupted food assistance for tens of thousands of households. The state issued full November benefits on Nov. 7 to over 78,000 households and is working with its EBT vendor to send payments to those who have not yet received funds—encouraging families to check their EBT balances. Hawaii Tribune-Herald
- ➤ The U.S. Coast Guard detected the Russian spy ship Kareliya 15 nautical miles south of Oahu on Oct. 29 and used an HC-130 and the cutter William Hart to safely monitor its movements — actions taken to secure U.S. waters in line with international law. Hawaii Free Press
- ➤ The Public Utilities Commission approved a 25.75% rate increase for Young Brothers LLC that will take effect Jan. 1 to help the company avoid losing its regulated intraisland shipping service amid financial instability. The decision will add about $26.1 million to annual revenue — replacing a temporary 18.1% increase that ended Dec. 31 and imposing strict oversight that bans further rate hikes for two years while the company works on its business plan. Hawaii Tribune-Herald
- ➤ The repair of the Mokuola Bridge on Coconut Island will take up to two years—this will affect access to key utilities for island residents. KITV
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Many caregivers in Hawaii have faced long, unpaid work that takes a heavy toll on their physical and emotional health, with one caregiver saying her role changed her life nearly 12 years ago—AARP Hawaii plans to push for tax credits and paid family leave while groups like Gimme a Break will provide meals for caregivers next week to support those who help keep loved ones at home. KITV
- ➤ A new report by Hawaii’s Foodbank Hui found that about 427,000 people face food insecurity on the islands, with one in three households lacking reliable food from mid-2024 to mid-2025. Foodbanks are relying more on donations—after a $4 million federal funding cut—to help feed those in need. Hawaii News Now
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ UH quarterbacks coach Chad Kapanui returned home after nearly 20 years in Nevada and now leads an offense that clicks, crediting quarterback Micah Alejado for his smart plays — Kapanui, a Roosevelt alum and former UH standout, also discussed balancing his coaching duties with raising five children with his wife. 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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