|
Subscribe | Get featured
Hi Honolulu, we made it to Thursday! In today’s edition: Mount Kaala gondola fight, Year of the Horse celebration, Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and more.
— Cait Baker
|
📰 In the news
Local economy’s hidden engine: A new report finds Honolulu’s hotel industry drives $12 billion in economic activity, supports 63,912 jobs, and contributes $1.9 billion in taxes, underscoring its outsized impact on local businesses — get the full economic breakdown.
Army weighs in on project: Honolulu City Council is moving to tighten agritourism oversight as a Waialua ranch’s Mount Kaala gondola plan faces pushback, with the planning department reviewing a proposal to revoke its permit — see how oversight could change.
Bottle recycling overhaul debate: State lawmakers are weighing a bill to shift HI-5 deposits from shoppers to beverage producers, drawing mixed testimony as supporters tout fixes and retailers warn of higher food costs — read what the bill proposes.
Premium push across the Pacific: Delta is rolling out its biggest Hawaii expansion this spring, adding Minneapolis to Maui and bringing back Boston to Honolulu, with more widebody jets and daily service on key routes — get the route and aircraft details.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why precious metals are back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
|
🫶 We got your back
Partnerships bring more housing: Aloha Ia Halewiliko, a new affordable rental community for kupuna, has opened at the former Aiea Sugar Mill next to Aiea Public Library. It offers 140 apartments for adults 62 and older who qualify at 30, 50, or 60 percent of area median income, with studios and one-bedrooms. Get all the details.
Lifelong learning meets workforce: Honolulu Community College’s Continuing Education will roll out new evening and weekend non-credit courses this spring to boost local job skills. Offerings include welding fundamentals, Foundational Safety Training Levels 1 and 2 for entertainment work, and multi-level English classes, building pathways into credit programs for working adults on Oahu. Get all the details.
Farm-to-table cravings, solved: Merriman’s Honolulu goes hyper-local, showcasing Hawai‘i growers with Waimānalo mushrooms, Hirabara Farm greens, and a mai tai built on mac-nut orgeat. Ideal for weeknights when you want big flavor without the special-occasion fuss.
Refresh your kitchen game: The Compleat Kitchen stocks sturdy cookware, clever gadgets, truly sharp knives, and Made-in-Hawai‘i pantry treats you’ll actually use. It’s the spot for a quick gift or a small upgrade that makes cooking feel easier, whether you’re outfitting a first apartment or refreshing a well-loved setup.
What do people see when they search your name? Search results can surface past mistakes or outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. BetterReputation helps remove and clean up unwanted content so your online presence matches your real life today. Not worried about yourself? Doesn’t hurt to mention it to family or friends who might be.
Take control of your credit card debt: High interest can keep you stuck paying more than you need to. A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR until 2027 and no annual fee gives you time to pay down what you owe without interest working against you. By transferring your balance, more of your payment goes toward the principal so you can actually make a dent in what you owe.
|
📆 Around town this weekend
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎮 Game On! @ Waikiki-Kapahulu Public Library | Friday (2/27) at 2:30 PM – Ready to ditch the screens and relearn the rules you’ve been making up for years? Ms. Pukahi, aka Aunty Ruth, teaches a classic or a new gem at the library, then referees the friendly feuds. Family time, real laughs, and zero app updates.
😂 Alfred Robles @ Blue Note | Friday (2/27) at 6:30 PM – Alfred Robles talks to the room, not at it, and yes, he might call out your table. East L.A. roots, Gabriel Iglesias tour vet, and viral crowd work that actually earns the hype. Grab a seat, order dinner, enjoy real laughs, tickets $30 to $40.
🍵 Tea & Treasures: A Private Archival Experience @ Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives | Saturday (2/28) at 11:00 AM – Trade your slippers for white gloves and spend an afternoon at Mission Houses peeking at rare treasures, strolling the hale pili, and trying a real printing press. Tea at 1024 pours, Jason Laeha plays, and with only 20 seats, consider this your classy escape.
🛍 Mālama Hawai‘i Makers Market @ Ala Moana Center | Saturday (2/28) at 11:00 AM – Skip the big-box run and wander to Ala Moana’s Mall Level 2, Mauka Wing for a makers market loaded with handcrafted art, Hawai‘i-inspired goods, and actually useful gifts. It pops up every second Saturday, so you can support local, chat with creatives, and feel smug.
💻 Keiki & Me: An Hour of Code @ Entrepreneurs Sandbox | Saturday (2/28) at 1:00 PM – Whether your keiki schools you in Minecraft or you call it Nintendo, this Hour of Code makes screen time count at Entrepreneurs Sandbox. Learn basics, problem solving, and ethical AI with The First Night, guardian-and-child only, one kid per adult, snacks included. Sign up: https://luma.com/y7n8ymy7
🎤 Josh Tatofi @ Blue Note Hawaii | Saturday (2/28) at 6:30 PM – If you’ve been craving silky vocals with heart, Josh Tatofi is back at Blue Note as artist-in-residence, blending soul and Hawaiian roots like only the Polynesian Luther Vandross can. Arrive early, bring your $20 appetite, and prepare for goosebumps, proud aunty tears, and strong pours.
🤣 Sammy Obeid: Delulu in Honolulu! @ HB Social Club | Hawaiian Brian’s | Saturday (2/28) at 6:30 PM – Take a break from the Waikiki shuffle and catch Netflix and Conan alum Sammy Obeid at HB Social Club, one night only. Smart jokes, local-worthy sass, and no cruise-ship crowd, just a proper laugh to pair with grown-up beverages, and a sitter you trust.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
📻 Honolulu report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 79°F – Low: 69°F – Precip: 10%
Sunny, with a high near 79. East northeast wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 69. East wind 5 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
—
Tomorrow – High: 81°F – Low: 70°F – Precip: 3%
Sunny, with a high near 81. East southeast wind around 7 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. East wind around 6 mph.
This house is wild
This waterfront retreat in a private, gated community pairs high ceilings and sunlit spaces with a designer kitchen that frames sparkling water views. A private dock offers direct access for kayaking or fishing. The backyard meets the historic Kanewai Fishpond and Paiko Lagoon Wildlife Sanctuary, where native reeds whisper and koloa maoli drift across a tranquil pond.
Take a peek inside →
|
🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
