Happy
Honolulu
Thursday, December 25th, 2025
Good morning, Honolulu. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 25th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ KaiAloha Supply’s third annual Holiday Keiki Toy Drive donated over $9,000 in toys to local nonprofits across Maui and Oahu on Dec. 24, spreading holiday joy to community families. KITV
- ➤ Volunteers at Lanakila Pacific Meals on Wheels are preparing 600 prime rib Christmas meals for kupuna today across Honolulu + they also need additional volunteers for meal delivery and kitchen support. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Family Promise of Hawaii partnered with HEI, Hawaii Life Flight & Nu'uanu Congregational Church to provide holiday gifts like toys, books, clothes & bikes to hundreds of homeless keiki amid rising housing costs and economic pressures. KITV
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Smith's Union Bar, Hawai‘i's oldest bar — a historic landmark on Hotel Street — announced its closure after 91 years as its lease will not be renewed. Regulars cheered its final Bud Light service on the Saturday before Christmas, marking the end of an era. Honolulu Magazine
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Kamehameha Schools will offer free tuition statewide starting next school year to protect its trust amid legal challenges to its admissions policy. The policy, designed to honor Princess Bernice Pauahi’s will for Native Hawaiian children, awaits probate court approval. KITV
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Episode 39 of Kilauea’s eruption ended early this morning after nearly six hours of lava fountaining that began Wednesday at 8:20 p.m. (lava reached 1,400 feet) and USGS experts expect the next episode in about two weeks. Hawaii News Now
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will open its first transitional shelter (Hale O Kumumamo) for homeless waitlisters on Monday at a $6.4M facility in Kalaeloa. The center will offer 18 rooms and support services to help clients move toward homeownership, with residents arriving next month. Hawaii News Now
- ➤ Honolulu City and County released a guide for Christmas weekend. On Dec. 24, some malls and post offices operated with shortened hours while essential services and recreational facilities ran on Dec. 25, though many retail stores, public attractions, and city halls remained closed. Honolulu Magazine
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Andie Conching became the first Native Hawaiian neurosurgeon and now trains at UC Davis while spending the holidays in Hawaii. The Manoa native, six months into her seven-year residency, hopes to return to improve local healthcare + inspire other Native Hawaiians. Hawaii News Now
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The UH Rainbow Warriors defeated the Cal Golden Bears, 35-31, in the Hawaii Bowl game held yesterday in Honolulu - key plays by wide receiver Pofele Ashlock led the team to a narrow win on Dec. 24. Honolulu Star-Advertiser
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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