|
Good morning, Honolulu! In today’s edition: New UV disinfection system, wildfire safety strategy, Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
|
📰 In the news
New tech strengthens environmental safeguards: Honolulu has launched an $11 million UV disinfection system at the Kailua Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant, now operating after testing to improve water quality, boost efficiency, and support marine life — get all the details.
Small acts, big impact: A 24-year-old from Palolo is inspiring neighbors by picking up trash one bag at a time and sharing videos on Trash Cleanups Hawaii. He also runs the Malama Initiative nonprofit — read about his cleanup journey.
Steps to prevent future disasters: The state Public Utilities Commission approved Hawaiian Electric’s 2025-2027 wildfire safety strategy, including grid hardening, inspections, vegetation work, and weather and AI cameras, while program costs remain under review — see the plan’s key steps.
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.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*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
New national YMCA campaign: The YMCA of Honolulu is offering 2026 deals, waiving the $99 joiner fee and adding $25 in Y-Bucks for programs like swim lessons, youth sports, or classes. Membership covers all Oahu locations and 2,700 nationwide. Personal Training Packages are 15% off throughout January. Get all the details.
Rainy-day sanity saver: Let the keiki burn off wiggles while you catch a breather. Kids City Adventure packs a two-story indoor playground with a ball pool, zip line, trampoline zone, and pretend-play nooks that keep imaginations busy long enough for you to actually finish your coffee hot.
Rain-proof pickleball, anyone? Whether your crew is leveling up or just discovering the kitchen, Pickles at Forté offers air-conditioned indoor courts, open play, and coaches to sharpen your game, so weeknight rallies stay on schedule, rain or shine, no court-hunting required.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
|
📆 Around town this week
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🛍 Waikiki Beach Walk Open Market @ Waikiki Beach Walk | Monday (1/5) at 4:00 PM – Give the mall a break and wander the Waikiki Beach Walk plaza lawn for the open-air market locals actually enjoy. It pops up every Monday, with local makers, small-batch treats, and one-of-a-kind finds, perfect for an easy after-work stroll, bring a tote, curiosity required.
🤝 Caregiver Support Group @ Alzheimer’s Association | Tuesday (1/6) at 5:00 PM – If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia, this is the room where the sighs get shared, the questions get answers, and the coffee gets refilled. A confidential circle for family caregivers with practical tools, real talk, and expert guidance. Space is limited, register.
💃 Beginner Salsa 101 @ Aloha Dancesport Center | Wednesday (1/7) at 7:00 PM – If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it. Beginner-friendly eight-week salsa in Kaka‘ako, no partner, no pressure, first class free, plus a $140 pack for the full cycle, so you get real cardio, new friends, and a legit reason to skip the treadmill.
🎶 Musical Bingo @ Wang Chungs Karaoke Bar | Wednesday (1/7) at 7:30 PM – Think you still know every 80s chorus by heart? Musical Bingo at Wang Chung’s swaps numbers for bangers, so you can sing along to pop divas, boy bands, and guilty pleasures, win prizes, and call it culture. It’s free, it’s rowdy, seats go quick.
🎸 M Ward @ Blue Note | Thursday (1/8) at 7:00 PM – Blue Note Hawaii’s bringing in M. Ward, so expect hushed guitar, smoky vocals, and a roomful of people pretending they don’t know every lyric. It’s the good kind of quiet night out, with proper cocktails, comfy seats, and zero TikTok choreography.
🔬 STEM Showcase @ Red Hill Community Center | Friday (1/9) at 10:00 AM – Hands-on STEM takes over Red Hill Community Center as Aloha Kids moves to bigger digs, free and family friendly. Expect live demos, tinkering, and plenty of curious keiki noise while you sip coffee and pretend to remember eighth grade science. Register here: https://forms.gle/fJ8J9PxG3tG7RrPh8
🎬 Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer @ The Cathedral of St. Andrew | Friday (1/9) at 6:30 PM – Swap the couch for pews and let a string quartet bathe Hans Zimmer’s greatest hits in candlelight at The Cathedral of St. Andrew downtown. Think Pirates, Gladiator, Interstellar, and that Dark Knight brooding. Dramatic, local, and blissfully phone-free, mostly.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
|
📻 Honolulu report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 79°F – Low: 72°F – Precip: 76%
Rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 79. East wind 9 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 72. East wind around 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
—
Tomorrow – High: 79°F – Low: 73°F – Precip: 64%
A chance of rain showers before noon, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. East wind 15 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 73. East wind 12 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
This house is wild
Positioned at the back of Niu Valley in East Honolulu, this elegant home pairs privacy with lush mountain and distant ocean views. Vaulted ceilings, abundant natural light, and a curated remodel shape a warm, contemporary vibe. The thoughtful layout centers daily life with an upstairs primary suite that is separate and well appointed, three lower level bedrooms beside a flexible family room, and a large walk-in storage. A generous yard invites gardening, outdoor games, and alfresco dinners.
A spacious two-car garage adds extra storage, and the home is move-in ready. Beaches, parks, restaurants, shopping, schools, and trailheads sit close by, delivering convenience without sacrificing the peaceful neighborhood setting.
Take a peek inside →
|
 |
Thanks for reading! If you know someone who’d love BaseLocal, send ’em here so they can sign up too 🙂
|
|
|
|
