Good morning, Honolulu.

The Good Neighbor Fund kicks off its annual fundraiser today to help residents cover rent, utility bills, and food expenses during the holiday season and the coming year.

Hosted by Helping Hands Hawaii in partnership with Honolulu Star-Advertiser and First Hawaiian Bank, the campaign aims to raise $125,000 to support families facing rising living costs.

On Oct 4, Sherisse Domingo nearly drowned at Kaneohe Sandbar when nearby rescuers pulled her from the water and performed CPR—EMS advised them—and she later thanked those who saved her life while Mayor Rick Blangiardi praised their rare courage.

Honolulu residents can enjoy a busy weekend with a Broadway musical at Neal S.

Blaisdell Concert Hall starting Dec. 2 and a Chinatown shopping event for Black Friday deals beginning Nov. 28. A free Waikīkī Holiday Parade on Nov. 28 at 7 p.m.—Scuba Santa at Sea Life Park offers family photo ops on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 21.

The annual tree topping at Honolulu Hale marked the completion of preparations for Honolulu City Lights — which for the first time includes Thomas Square Park — and the festivities will begin this Saturday with a tree lighting ceremony at approximately 6:30 p.m.

The Ocean Safety Department posted warning signs at Kailua Beach Park (Windward Oahu) after an aggressive shark was spotted 20 yards offshore just after 11:30 a.m. on November 26.

Hawaiian Electric said nearly half of Oahu single-family homes had rooftop solar panels installed by Tuesday — even as the solar industry faces disruption with federal tax credits set to expire at the end of the year.

The Honolulu Zoo reopened its Keiki Zoo Barn Wednesday showcasing upgrades to its exhibits—its new Native Hawaiian Snail Lab now displays a native tree snail and a ground snail as part of a statewide conservation effort, while the guinea pig exhibit has been refurbished to better care for its six male animals.

Ocean Safety officials issued a shark advisory for Kailua Beach Park today after lifeguards spotted an aggressive shark 20 yards offshore around 11:30 a.m.—warning signs have been posted to alert beachgoers.

A similar advisory was posted at Kahe Beach Park on Tuesday after a tiger shark was seen about 100 yards offshore.

Big Island teenager Eric Gee will join polar explorer Robert Swan on the Ice Station Expedition to Antarctica in December as the only U.S. student selected; he will first visit Chile then spend one week at Union Glacier to help with climate science, renewable energy tests, and an eDNA study to support conservation efforts.

The Hawaiian Council is now accepting applications for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs’ $6.1 million Emergency Assistance Program — which supports Native Hawaiian residents impacted by missed furlough paychecks or suspended food stamp benefits during the recent 43-day government shutdown.

On November 26 at 2:49 p.m. HST, the measles virus was found in Maui County wastewater—health officials say the discovery does not confirm any clinical cases or community spread.

Dr. Collin Walsh, an orthopedic spine surgeon at Hawaii Pacific Health, explained that spine issues like a pinched nerve, arthritis and misalignment can begin as early as your 20s and later cause back pain in almost half of older adults.

He recommended exercise and weight control before trying non-surgical treatments and said modern minimally invasive surgery — such as artificial disc replacement — may help relieve nerve pressure.