Happy
Honolulu
Monday, December 8th, 2025
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 8th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ At WCCC, inmates reunited with family for a festive Christmas gathering on Saturday, Dec. 6, when 40 inmates and over 70 relatives met at the Maunawili Cottage courtyard for food, music, and games (catered lunch and treats were provided). KITV
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Honolulu Ocean Safety rescued a seasick teen paddler near Hanauma Bay Sunday morning after receiving a distress call about a paddler roughly 100 yards offshore — Fire Department and EMS crews provided onshore care. KITV
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Award-winning chef Jason Peel is revamping Diamond Head Market & Grill with a new farm-to-table breakfast service and holiday specials including Prime Rib Christmas dinner pre-orders, gift baskets and an okazuya pop-up on Dec. 17. The restaurant is at 3158 Monsarrat Ave. Hawaii News Now
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Hawai‘i Convention Center hosts ’Twas the Light Before Christmas on Ice from Dec. 4 to Jan. 4, featuring an 8,000-sqft ice rink with themed events like kid-friendly games on Mondays and Wine Wednesday specials (with live animations) for adults. Families can also shop local at the holiday marketplace. Honolulu Magazine
- ➤ Survivors of the Nagasaki bomb share their stories at two public events in Honolulu today (the Nagasaki Bell, symbolizing peace and an apology for Pearl Harbor, is on display). Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Veterans, dignitaries and community members gathered at Pearl Harbor on Sunday, Dec. 7 to honor the 84th anniversary of the attack that brought the nation into World War II — moments of silence and tribute activities took place at the USS Oklahoma Memorial. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
- ➤ Survivors of the Nagasaki bomb are in Honolulu to share personal accounts and promote peace at two upcoming public events. Local community centers will host the sessions (time details may vary) and invite residents to learn from their historical experiences. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ A Sakada Day celebration honors the legacy of Filipino Sakadas - migrant plantation workers - with local food and student activities this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Plantation Village in Waipahu. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Today, survivors and families join Hiroya Sugano at the USS Arizona Memorial for a blackened canteen ceremony that transforms a WWII artifact into a peace symbol for U.S. airmen and Japan. Sugano will provide each family with a replica (symbolizing their shared legacy). Hawaii News Now
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Hiring slowed in November as businesses on the North Shore and statewide cut back amid rising costs and a set minimum wage increase to $16 on Jan. 1, and economists report that trends hit entry-level job seekers and may signal tougher conditions going into 2026. Hawaii Tribune-Herald
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Roy Miyahira, director of Homeless Solutions, presented at Oct. 27’s McCully-Moiliili Neighborhood Board meeting at Old Stadium Park that 50% of clients accepted help while 40% eventually returned to the streets, and he introduced a new segmented plan + aiming to better address specialized needs. Hawaii Free Press
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Hawaii Pacific Health and HMSA (two major providers) are discussing a potential merger to address rising labor demands and costs in Honolulu's healthcare market. The talks may lead to changes for local health services in the near future. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Tiki’s Grill & Bar in Waikiki will host the Christmas Bar Hawaii on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, featuring a surf and turf combo of Lilikoi glazed ham & lobster macaroni and cheese alongside specialty drinks like very merry spritz, butter beer, and mistletoe mimosa among festive decorations. Hawaii News Now
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
It is better to travel well than to arrive.
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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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