Choose how often you hear from us. Upgrade |
Hello Honolulu! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Ronny Chieng comedy benefit, free outdoor movies, and a pet adoption event + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today's sponsor, SmartAsset, is helping people around Honolulu evaluate their retirement income strategy and plan for a retirement that could last decades. Their free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area and are legally required to act in your best interests. Take the quiz and find your match.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Honoring a lasting tradition: Honolulu marked La Hoihoi Ea last weekend at Thomas Square, honoring Protect Kaho‘olawe ‘Ohana and 50 years of Aloha ‘Āina as groups renewed the movement’s legacy ahead of the holiday -- read the full story.
A milestone for future doctors: JABSOM’s newest class received white coats this week, pushing service-commitment scholarships past 500 years of pledged physician service to Hawaii, a milestone in efforts to ease the state’s doctor shortage -- see the white coat ceremony.
New chapter for the center: The Hawai‘i Convention Center brought food and beverage service in-house after Levy Restaurants’ contract ended, tapping Legends Global. Officials expect savings and easier ordering ahead of an anticipated 2028 reopening -- learn more about the transition.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you've been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It's an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $1,100 this year.1 Some users report saving up to 50% on their monthly rates -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*2
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest -- this one's 50% off right now.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor The free quiz matching 50,000 people a month with a fiduciary advisorIf you've saved $2.5 million, you're well ahead of most Americans. But how long it lasts depends less on the balance and more on the decisions you make with it. Take the 4% rule, a common benchmark. It suggests withdrawing about $100,000 your first year from a $2.5M portfolio, then adjusting for inflation over time. While it can be a useful starting point, it doesn't account for factors such as other income sources, taxes, spending goals, or changing market conditions. That's why many retirees choose to work with a financial advisor. A financial advisor can help build a tax-efficient withdrawal strategy around your situation, including how much to take from each account and when - so you have a clearer picture of how much you can spend each year. SmartAsset's free quiz matches you with vetted fiduciary advisors who serve your area, each legally bound to work in your best interest. The quiz only takes a few minutes. No cost. No obligation. Find your advisor match.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Wardrobe tune-up time: Honolulu friends, if your closet's been doing the same three-shirt rotation, pop into Single Double for pieces that feel island-easy but still look pulled together. Think breathable fabrics, clean lines, and conversation-starting prints... the kind you can wear from coffee run to pau hana without trying too hard.
Need a green breather: If you need a post-work reset this week or a quiet spot for real talk, Lyon Arboretum delivers with shady rainforest trails, birdsong, and a self-guided wander through rare and native plants. Feels far from town, yet still in your backyard, and your humidity-tolerant hair will thank you.
Brows behaving themselves: Skip the 7 a.m. tweezer panic and let BROW DIRECTION sort your arches with microblading, brow lamination, tinting, and lash lifts that simplify your routine. Thoughtful, precise, and friendly, it’s the kind of tidy-up that makes weekday mornings easier and selfies a little smug.
|
04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
Shop for new floors without ever needing to leave the house: No showroom, no second-guessing. All from the comfort of your own home. Empire Today® has flooring experts that will bring you samples and provide you with a free in-home estimate. Trusted and backed by over 3 million satisfied customers and over 65 years of quality service. *Check out their current offers today →
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
65% of families have lost photos they'll never get back: One accidental delete, one dead hard drive, one phone that won't turn on, and the pictures of the kids, the trips, and the loved ones who've passed are gone. This photo stick makes sure that day never comes: plug it into any phone, tablet, or computer, press one button, and it finds and saves up to 120,000 photos and videos automatically, even clearing out the duplicates. No cloud, no subscription. *Save your photos →
A blown engine can cost more than your car is worth: And it almost never warns you. One day it runs fine, the next you're staring at a $7,000 repair on a car you still rely on every morning. That's the kind of bill an extended warranty exists to absorb, the engine, transmission, and electrical failures that wreck a budget overnight. You bring it to any certified mechanic, pay a deductible, and the rest is handled. Enjoy a free year of Elite Benefits and a 30-day money-back guarantee on top. *See everything it covers →
83% of burglars check for an alarm first: That's from a UNC Charlotte survey of 422 convicted burglars — and 60% said that if they found one, they'd skip the house and look for another target. ADT is the deterrent they're checking for: voted America's most trusted home security provider, with monitoring centers staffed around the clock. And if someone breaks in anyway, ADT's Theft Protection Guarantee reimburses up to $500 of your homeowners insurance deductible. *See how it works → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
|
05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🫖 Mama Circle Tea time and stretching @ Music Body & Soul Dance & Wellness Studio | Wednesday (7/29) at 11:00 AM – Think you can crowdsource sanity from late-night Google? It's a mama circle with optional gentle stretching, herbal tea, and actual humans. Expecting, newborn in tow, or somewhere in between, bring the baby, the questions, and the leggings; donation-based, zero judgment, real support.
🎬 FREE Outdoor Movies @ Muliwai Deck at Prince Waikiki | Wednesday (7/29) at 7:00 PM – Midweek upgrade alert: free outdoor movies at Prince Waikiki, every Wednesday night with HIFF, harbor breeze included. Expect beloved Hollywood hits, award-winning Hawai‘i stories, and the occasional guest Q&A, plus discounted parking with a snack. Grab a seat on the Muliwai Deck, exhale, enjoy.
🚶 Walk & Talk Thursdays @ Magic Island Beach Park | Thursday (7/30) at 9:30 AM – Nothing beats a breezy couple laps around Magic Island with moms who get it. This free weekly stroll, hosted by Marissa from FIT4MOM Honolulu, ends with a picnic for snacks, strollers, scooters, and conversation, whether you are pregnant, juggling toddlers, or parenting grown kids.
🏐 Spike and Serve Volleyball @ Spike and Serve Gym | Friday (7/31) at 9:00 AM – Spike and Serve is running year-round weekend volleyball clinics that actually tire out the keiki, and sharpen real skills. Beginners, NXTLVL, and Prep All Skills cover ages 5-15 at Spike and Serve Gym in Honolulu. You get AC, they get reps, everybody sleeps early.
🦸 Hero Play Day @ Kiddie Academy of Honolulu | Friday (7/31) at 5:00 PM – Got a keiki superhero scaling the couch? Hero Play Day at Kiddie Academy of Honolulu is a free bash with capes, curiosity, and learning to unlock their inner hero. Tour the place and meet the folks shaping solid school habits. Costumes encouraged, curiosity required.
💪 Family Workout @ Fort Ruger Park/ Triangle Park | Saturday (8/1) at 9:00 AM – Saturday mornings call for a sweat session at Fort Ruger Triangle Park, tucked behind Diamond Head, where FIT4MOM Honolulu runs a family-friendly workout. The keiki can join in or nap on a mat while you plank, chat, and feel virtuous. First class is free, obviously.
🐶 Oahu SPCA Pet Adoption Event @ Navy Exchange Mall | Saturday (8/1) at 10:00 AM – Swing by the NEX and let Oahu SPCA introduce you to your next couch hog, shedder, and best friend. They set up upstairs in the pet and outdoor sports section, with cat and dog adoptions on the first and third Saturdays every month.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Your homeowners insurance has a blind spotIt covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old). *See what it covers → |
07 — Honolulu report Weather forecastToday — High: 87°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 72%
A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. South southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. East southeast wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Tomorrow — High: 87°F — Low: 77°F — Precip: 54%
Scattered rain showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. East northeast wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Scattered rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. East northeast wind 15 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. This house is wildThis coveted front-row 3-bedroom residence at Park Lane Ala Moana pairs island privacy with polished luxury. The third-floor setting offers same-level parking, no elevator needed, while an expansive lanai with a private spa opens to lush tropical landscaping and park and ocean views. Inside, natural stone, European oak floors, Studio Becker cabinetry, and floor-to-ceiling glass shine.
Take a peek inside → |
1Average potential savings based on initial quotes received by 151,494 customers seeking insurance through Insurify. Savings and lowest rates do not reflect typical results. 2Estimated. |
| |
