Honolulu's Source for Local News, Business & Events
Honolulu's Source for Local News, Business & Events
A University of Hawaii count found just 10 unsheltered people in Waikiki’s tourist core, a 91% drop attributed to the Safe & Sound partnership’s coordinated approach combining street medicine, housing services, and enforcement. The dramatic reduction marks the lowest street homelessness numbers since systematic counting began in the district.
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The 2026 Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit brought over 150 leaders to Waikiki, announcing $180 million in renewable energy investments and new cultural exchange programs. Beyond ceremonial handshakes, the gathering focused on concrete economic partnerships and sustainable tourism initiatives.
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Hawaii and Philippines officials gathered at Waikiki’s Alohilani Resort to explore expanding trade ties in tourism, agriculture, and small business sectors. The symposium aimed to leverage cultural connections and create new economic opportunities for both jurisdictions.
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Cirque du Soleil brings “Auana,” an ocean-themed acrobatic spectacle, to Waikiki’s Outrigger Beachcomber Hotel May 20-22. The intimate production fuses world-class circus arts with Hawaiian cultural elements in a unique poolside setting steps from the beach.
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Liliha Bakery is bringing its famous coco puffs and local favorites to Waikiki Beach Walk in 2025, marking the 73-year-old institution’s first expansion into the tourist corridor while testing whether it can maintain its neighborhood bakery identity.
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The Kanikapila Festival closes Kalākaua Avenue for live Hawaiian music performances, representing Waikiki’s growing effort to serve local residents alongside tourists. The street festival features multiple stages, local vendors, and traditional kanikapila musical gatherings scaled to neighborhood celebration size.
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Waikiki hotels pivot toward domestic tourists and mālama-based experiences as international arrivals decline. Local businesses adapt to serve visitors seeking authentic cultural connections while facing economic uncertainty.
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Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve debuts “Papahana Hanauma,” a new culturally-focused education program run by Hui Mālama O Ke Kai Foundation. The shift emphasizes Hawaiian traditions and indigenous stewardship practices for the popular snorkeling destination.
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Sonic Drive-In opened Saturday in Kapolei as Oahu’s first carhop restaurant, featuring roller-skating servers and Hawaii-exclusive menu items like the Teriyaki Smasher. The nostalgic drive-in experience introduces a new dining concept to West Oahu’s evolving food scene.
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State Rep. Adrian Tam highlights the disconnect between steady visitor arrivals and declining tourist spending in Waikiki, where local businesses and workers are feeling the economic pinch despite crowded beaches. The tourism slump is hitting small operators and service workers hardest, even as overall visitor numbers show modest growth.
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